Equine veterinary services - available mobile or in-clinic

In addition to lameness diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Miller offers general and routine equine veterinary care.  these services include general wellness, medical and traumatic emergencies (depending on availability), internal medical issues, and non-lameness related equine issues requiring veterinary intervention.

Diagnostic modalities are used to localize and image the structure(s) of concern which may be causing the presenting issues.  This confirmation of the anatomic localization provides an anatomical diagnosis and guides the subsequent treatment. The use of diagnostic imaging equipment does not replace a thorough exam by a competent, experienced clinician, especially when dealing with subtle equine sports-related issues.

Dr. David Miller has extensive experience in evaluating horses from a multitude of disciplines that includes:

• Racing (Standardbreds and thoroughbreds)
• Hunter-jumpers
• Western performance (pleasure, barrel racing, reining, cutting, trail, ranch, other)
• Hackney ponies
• Gaited horses
• Arabian show and endurance horses
• Draft horses
• General performance and pleasure
• minnies

Digital radiography is the process of using computer-enhanced radiographs to evaluate almost the entire array of skeletal structures of the body.  This technology may be used at the clinic or stable. The resulting images can be viewed immediately and also be transferred electronically when consultation or referral is required.   After initial aquisition, the images may be evaluated on an external monitor for additional detailed evaluation.

Dr. Miller uses state of the art digital radiograph equipment for diagnostic radiology.

Digital ultrasonography provides imaging of soft tissue structures, including tendons, ligaments, joints, joint capsules, muscles, cartilage surfaces, and fluid-filled masses.  

Dr. Miller uses state of the art ultrasound equipment  for his ultrasound imaging services.

Respiratory endoscopy is used to diagnose respiratory noises, shortness of breath, chronic respiratory problems, including allergies, infections and other maladies.

A flexible endoscope is used to evaluate :

• Nasal passages
• Larynx
• Pharynx
• Guttural pouches
• Upper and/or lower airway

Gastroscopy is performed using a 3 meter video endoscope to evaluate the upper GI tract for ulcers, masses, chokes and other upper GI diseases.  

Horses must be fasted prior to gastroscopy for ulcer evaluation.   

Dr. Miller uses state of the art stomach scope and respiratory scope equipment for viewing and recording images of the upper respiratory and GI tracts.

Using remote motion sensors applied to the horse, the stride of each limb is measured and analyzed.  The resulting data is interpreted, in order to determine which limb or limbs are likely contributing to subtle stride deficiencies or obvious lameness.  This is useful for identifying the affected limb and when diagnostic blocking.  The system used is called The Equinosis Q with Lameness Locator, often called simply the Lameness Locator.

Acupuncture point reactivity correlates with an imbalance of energy flow through the meridian on which it lies. The meridians are mapped out and follow the general anatomy of the nervous system.  Point reactivity aids in localization of the source of pain and is useful to determine a region of discomfort in the body including internal medical issues and limb involvement.  These points are then used in the treatment, to alter the energy (Qi) balance in the body.

Horses are affected by numerous medical issues including infectious disease, chronic respiratory and skin diseases, behavioral issues that may be psychogenic or secondary to an underlying condition, chronic weight loss and obesity.  Diagnosis and treatment is achieved by following a logical step-wise approach.