Best vet/clinic for tieback surgery?

[JMarcyQuay]

I'm looking into options as far as tieback surgery goes with a horse that is a good candidate. What, in your opinion, is the best vet/clinic in the USA for tieback surgery? I am in Michigan, but will travel for the best care. If I choose to have the surgery done on my horse, I want to make sure it gets done right. How complicated is the surgery? And finally, does anyone have a ballpark idea of cost?

[Inspiritus Equine]

How severe is your horse's condition? Age? Is he a single or double flapper? Surgery is certainly effective, but can have risks. If you are open to alternatives, electroacupuncture is very successful for treating roarers if you have a trained vet-acupuncturist in your area. Just something to consider...

[JMarcyQuay]

He's a very fit 9-year-old event horse with left laryngeal (however you spell that) paralysis and roars fairly seriously.

[Plumcreek]

I would imagine the vet clinics at Lexington, Ky, do these surgeries on racing sale horses.

[maxxtrot]

hi, i work at a clinic here in ocala. i feel the surgeon we have is the best of the best. if he cannot fix it, it can't be fixed. dr.madison.at ocala equine. i think cost wise, it is around 2200.00-2500.00. i know it's a bit far for you to travel, just thought i would chime in.

[dressagevettech]

I used to work as a tech over at The University of TN Vet School.
Dr. Jim Schumacher is one of the equine surgeons there, and is fantastic.
He is one of the top vets to go to when something is involving the head/throat area of a horse.
I saw many of the horse's he performed a tie back on and they all did very well post surgery.

Good luck!!

[JMarcyQuay]

Awesome, thanks for the names so far...keep 'em coming! :)

[Marshfield]

I'd look for any place which does a lot of racehorse work. As someone already suggested, Kentucky is probably a good option. And some world class hospitals.

[atr]

Mine's in Utah, so a bit far away, but yes, as Marshfield says, I'd look for someone who works extensively with racehorses.

Our tie back was very successful, about 7 years ago now. I was riding him this afternoon. He does make some noise still when he's unfit, but he can breathe very functionally now.

[JMarcyQuay]

I don't mind if my horse sounds as loud as a freight train as long as his breathing improves. :)

I'll look into places that often do racehorses. What have people heard, positive/negative, about Michigan State?

[EventingDreams]

My event horse had tie back surgery done at MSU by Dr. Caron in July 2007. He had complete paralysis on the left side, and was also 9 at the time. He recovered without complication and is back competing stronger than ever before, no noise. They were great up there, and I can definitely recommend them. I know of at least one other eventer who had their horse done up there with the same opinion. I too was willing to travel to have it done, but in my research learned that it's not that complicated. One thing you may want to consider when looking at the equine hospitals that do a lot of racehorses is the type of surgery they do. A lot of the racehorses have the flap lasered off rather than tied/sutured back so that they can be back out racing sooner. So that may be the primary way they do the surgery. Don't quote me, but I think the actual tie-back surgery is preferable, but a little slower recovery since you are essentially waiting for scar tissue to form and support where it has been sutured. I did the research a couple of years ago though, so may be wrong. My cost was ~$1800 and I had him back home a day or two later. I was pretty cautious in his recovery as I didn't want to risk anything, but he was stall rested (with a lot of hand grazing and some walks) for 5-6 weeks and then slowly put back to work and turnout. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me, I'd be glad to tell you anything you want about my experience.

Best of luck, your horse will be a million times happier when he can breathe running at speed, trust me!

[Wizard of Oz's]

I'd definately look into some in Lexington!

[animaldoc]

MSU is known for upper airway research and surgery - you'll be fine there (more than fine).

[passinthru]

I actually hopped on tonight with the same questions - but am in VA - has anyone used Marion Dupont in Leesburg for this surgery?

[shalomypony]

I've been told that a surgeon at Cornell does a very successful tie FRONT procedure.Supposedly better than the classic tie back.

[Laurierace]

I've been told that a surgeon at Cornell does a very successful tie FRONT procedure.Supposedly better than the classic tie back.

Tie forwards are for displacing of the soft pallate.

[Shelbylou]

Dr. Fogle @ NC State was awesome!!

I had a 3 yr old with a grade 4 paralyzation, lts of noise when working. She did a wonderful job, no side effects at all, lives a normal live, and I was very happy with the pre and post of care.