Equine internal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases affecting all horses. Neonatal or foal issues fall under the same heading at Mid-Rivers Equine Centre.

Almost all horses develop illnesses and health issues at some point in their lives. Most of these are transient, and the horse’s own immune system is able to conquer and correct the problem. However, there are those times when our horses will need the assistance of a doctor.

Dr. Dawn Mrad heads-up Mid-Rivers Equine Centre’s internal medicine. Certainly all doctors are trained in dealing with disease and treatment, but Dr. Mrad completed a three-year residency at the University of Missouri in the area of equine internal medicine.

As with all disease, early treatment is critical and an accurate diagnosis is crucial to treatment success and outcome. Mid-Rivers Equine Centre is open 24 hours a day for equine emergencies. Please call 636.332.5373 and press 7 if it is an after hours emergency for assistance.

Today, more is known about diseases that affect horses than ever before. The health of horses is linked to their genetics, environment and nutrition. Well Horse Health Care programs that include parasite control and prophylactic vaccination schedules dramatically reduce health problems, but problems can still arise.

Neurologic problems such as Equine Protozoal Myelitis or EPM are common today. Newer diseases, such as West Nile Encephalitis, have gained a foothold, and old problems, such as strangles, continue to be widespread in our area, all of which create a need for advanced equine medical care.

Diagnostics such as endoscopy, ultrasound and advanced laboratory techniques give clues as to the nature of the problem, and once identified, a specific treatment plan can be implemented.