The Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital

09/04/2025

📢 Help Improve Workplace Safety in Equine Hospitals! 🏥🐎

Are you a veterinary professional working in an equine hospital? Your experiences matter! The University of Liverpool is conducting a survey to explore workplace injuries in equine hospital settings to better understand risks and improve safety measures.

🔹 Who can take part? Vets, nurses, interns, support staff... ANYONE working in equine hospitals, whether you have been injured or not.

🔹 Why participate? Your insights will help identify common hazards, improve workplace safety, and shape future guidelines.

🔹 Completely anonymous – share your experiences with confidence.

📲 Take the survey by clicking the link in the comments below:

07/04/2025

🐎 Exciting News from Leahurst Equine Hospital! 🐎

Check out our very own Dr. Dave Stack featuring on BBC Look North! 🎥✨ In this interview, Dr. Stack dives into the incredible work we're doing at Leahurst, including our cutting-edge CT machine that's revolutionising equine care. 🏥🔬

Plus, get the inside scoop on our collaboration with the legendary Aintree Racecourse! 🏇🌟 We're proud to support these magnificent athletes and ensure they receive top-notch care.

Watch the full clip and see how we're making strides in equine health!

04/04/2025

📢 We're Hiring! Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia – 2 Posts 📢

Join our esteemed team at the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) and Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital (PLEH), located at the picturesque Leahurst Campus on the Wirral Peninsula! 🌍🐾

🔹 Salary: £46,735 - £59,139 per annum (plus attractive CPD, out-of-hours, and pension package)
🔹 Start Date: 28 April 2025
🔹 Closing Date for Applications: 24 April

About the Role:

We are seeking two dedicated Lecturers in Veterinary Anaesthesia to join our dynamic clinical team. These roles are ideally suited for individuals who have completed a residency and are looking to further develop their anaesthesia and analgesia skills in a supportive environment. The successful candidates will:

Provide and develop clinical services in anaesthesia.
Deliver high-quality, evidence-based management of the anaesthesia caseload.
Engage in teaching, demonstration, and supervision of residents, interns, and undergraduate students.
Contribute to the advancement of veterinary anaesthesia through research and scholarly activities.

Facilities and Team:

Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH): Handles over 12,000 appointments annually with state-of-the-art facilities, including three operating theatres (one equipped for minimally invasive procedures), digital radiography rooms, an endoscopy suite, CT, MRI, ultrasound rooms, a prep area, recovery room, and an ICU with planned expansion.​
Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital (PLEH): Manages around 1,500 cases per year, offering facilities such as two operating theatres with three recovery boxes, a dedicated ICU (11 stables, including 2 mare and foal stables), isolation stables, treatment rooms, and diagnostics, including a CT on a sliding gantry system.​
Anaesthesia Team: Comprises eight senior anaesthesia staff (with these posts being additional), three anaesthesia residents, two anaesthesia interns, and dedicated anaesthesia nurses. Theatre nurses support both surgery and anaesthesia.

Be part of a world-class clinical team and contribute to shaping the future of veterinary anaesthesia!

📩 Informal Enquiries:

Briony Alderson – [email protected]
Ian Self – [email protected]

Apply now and advance your career with us!

02/04/2025

📺📡 TV Feature 📡📺

What has our surgeon Dave Stack been up to?!

There was a BBC Camera crew and a reporter in attendance at our hospital yesterday, to prepare a feature piece on the work we do here at Leahurst. 🐴

Hospital director Dave showed the team all the fantastic facilities we have, with a particular focus on our advanced CT imaging. 🧲

Keep an eye out on Friday evenings BBC News North West and see who you can spot having their moment on screen 🤩

01/04/2025

Come along to Leahurst VetFest for a day full of awesome animal activities, and behind-the-scenes fun!

19/03/2025

💜🐴 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙩: 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝘿𝙞𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 🐴💜

Your horse's health is our priority, and early detection of problems can make all the difference. At Leahurst Equine, we utilise cutting-edge diagnostic equipment. From CT Scans to Standing MRIs, our advanced imaging technology helps us identify issues that are often missed by x-rays. ⚕

Today's video demonstrates the amazing ability of our team of vets, nurses, and veterinary students. The horse not only had a CT scan performed of the pelvis, but the neck region was also imaged during the same anaesthetic. 🤩

This is a complex procedure to do, and it is thanks to our specialist anaesthetists Tom and David that the horse was able to move positions without suffering any complications during recovery 👏

We understand how important your horse is to you, and our team is here to provide the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. 🐴

17/03/2025

📌⭐️ 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙨⭐️📌

The staff at Leahurst are continuing to offer a service at your clinic! 🤩

Rather than sending your cases to us, why don't we come to you? 💚 That is exactly what we were able to do recently at Lower House Equine Clinic, where vets Alex, Dave, Alison, and vet nurse Rebecca were able to assist in three procedures! 😎

Our new peripatetic medicine service is designed with you and your clients in mind. We understand that the stress and cost of travel can have an impact on managing medicine cases. That is why we are proud to offer a service of medical investigations at your veterinary practice. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️🐴

Details of how to make an appointment are listed on the flyer below. To make an enquiry, please speak to our head of medicine, Harry Carslake.

A big thank you to our colleagues and friends, Alison, Dave, Alex and Rebecca from The Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital for coming over today to support us with two cases - an ovarian laparoscopy and an overground airway scope.

Pictured are Rebecca and Alex with Simon before they headed back up the Leahurst

12/03/2025

05/03/2025

👼🏻🐴𝗙𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 🐴👼🏻

It is that time of year when bundles of joy arrive ✨,and at Leahurst we are thoroughly prepared to help should a foal find itself in difficulties after birth.

Last year. Ruby and her 12-hour old foal, Skye, were brought in as an emergency because Skye was very weak and was unable to stand or nurse. Skye was dehydrated and had signs of ‘dummy foal syndrome’. 🤕

Foals that have ‘dummy syndrome’, also called ‘neonatal maladjustment syndrome’ (NMS), can appear healthy when they are born but develop signs of difficulty nursing, weakness, disorientation or unresponsiveness. Foals with this condition can have neurological problems and/or other issues regulating their temperature, gut motility and have difficulties breathing. 😓

There are several reasons why foals can develop this syndrome, including difficulty foaling and low oxygen levels reaching the brain. Another proposed cause is neurosteroid hormones that act to keep the foal in a sleepy state whilst in the uterus, remain persistently activated after birth. Fortunately, 80% of foals recover with intensive care and no long-term brain injury is expected. 👍🏻

Whilst this syndrome is rare and only affects 1-2% of foals, it is very difficult to manage at home and often require intensive care in a hospital setting. Luckily, Skye’s owners and vet recognised the seriousness of her condition early, giving her the best chance of successful treatment. 💜

Skye received round-the-clock, intensive medical care and we are delighted to say that she responded extremely well to treatment. She is now home and is proving to be a young lady with plenty of character! 🥰

Please get in touch if you have any questions about foal management in our hospital ☎️

04/03/2025

🤩 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗣𝗗 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🤩

Last Tuesday, Leahurst Equine was proud to host an evening of Continued Professional Development (CPD) for those vets that work at other practices. 🤓

Many of these vets utilise our specialist referral service, where medical and surgical cases can be sent to our hospital for further investigation and management, including colic and orthopaedic cases. 🐴

All vets have to acquire more than 30 hours of CPD every year, and is a crucial aspect of a veterinarian's career. It is the primary way vets are able to keep up-to-date with all the recent developments in veterinary care. 👩‍⚕️

The evening had a great turnout. Specialist vets Harry, Fernando, Zoe, Sandy, Chris, Dave, and Alex all gave bitesize talks on the topics of medical and surgical care of the horse. 🤩

If there is any topic you would like to hear us speak on in the future, send us a comment below!

03/03/2025

✨ 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 ✨

Congratulations 🎉 to Dr Peter Milner, Reader in Equine Orthopaedics!

Dr Milner has been recently awarded RCVS - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Specialist status in Equine Surgery (Orthopaedics) 🐴.

He joins a select group of specialists in this area, as there are only 7 equine orthopaedic specialists registered with the RCVS. 🤓

This reflects his years of hard work and dedication to clinical, teaching and research work in the field of equine orthopaedics. Peter began working at Leahurst Equine in 2006, and has dealt with many complex lameness and imaging cases during the last 20 years. 👏

Having a large team of specialists work in our hospital means that you can be assured that your horse or pony is receiving world class, pioneering care should they ever need to visit 💜

Please join us in saying well done Peter! 🎊

01/03/2025

🐎🐴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🐴🐎

Today we are celebrating the incredible bond between humans and horses. 💜

From their strength and grace to their gentle spirits, they enrich our lives in countless ways. It is a pleasure to provide the services at our hospital to help make these animals better. 🥰

We thought we would share this picture of Practice vet Ben, surgeon Alex, and Head of Hospital Dave, who were joined at the student graduation ceremony last year by Silver and Beau from the Merseyside Police 🚨🗺

Share your favourite horse memory or photo below!

27/02/2025

📌🐴𝗟𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 📌🐴

Leahurst are pleased to announce our new outpatient 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 🤩.

Our internationally renowned surgeons will assess any singular masses of your horses skin to confirm that the procedure can be performed under sedation😴.

Using the gold standard method of advanced laser surgery, we can remove them without the need for a full general anaesthetic 🥰.

We aim to provide a same day assessment and treatment for this clinic, and will not insist on any long hospital stays 🏆. Your horse should be home with you by the following evening.

The set price procedure will be £550, to be confirmed during assessment. 💸

To get booked in, or ask any questions, just give us a call on 0151 794 6041 ☎️

26/02/2025

🧑🏼‍⚕️⚕️𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙮 ⚕️🧑🏼‍⚕️

Please join us here at Leahurst in extending a massive 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘 to our vet Sandy Shanklin, who has recently been awarded Diplomate status by the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. 🎉🤓

This makes Sandy an EBVS recognised specialist in 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆. This is a huge achievement and shows the many years of hard work Sandy has given to the profession, especially during his surgical residency at Leahurst. 🐴

Sandy forms part of our six-person surgical team who are leaders in the field of colic and orthopaedic surgery. 🤩

We take great pride at Leahurst in training the future specialist vets of tomorrow. All of our most recent residents (Picture 3: Matt, Sandy, Amie, Hattie, and Lizzie) all passed their board exams on the first attempt, which is no easy feat. If you are a vet who is interested in future residencies, please email us at [email protected] 📨

21/02/2025

👋🏼💜 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 💜👋🏼

Today was the final day of a year long position for our intern veterinary surgeon Bronwen 👏🏼

Having grown up on the Wirral, and acquired a small collection of horses in that time 😉, Bronwen was destined for great things. This was only confirmed when she was accepted to study Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool. 🎓

Since graduating, we were lucky enough to have Bronwen work for us as a hospital intern, where she has demonstrated exceptional skill in caring for inpatients, managing emergency cases, and being an around brilliant equine veterinarian. 🧑🏼‍⚕️

Our internship is a year-long position, and carries a responsibility for making sure all horses in the hospital are cared for appropriately, as well as a fantastic learning opportunity for vets to be working in one of the countries busiest equine hospitals 🏥

Thank you Bronwen for all your hard work, and we hope to see you again soon! 😍

21/02/2025

📌🐴𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲🐴📌

Meet Conker!

Conker is a very special patient who was presented to our emergency team following a severe head trauma. As with many head traumas Conker underwent computed tomography (CT) scan to provide accurate and detailed images of the extent of his injuries 🤓

The CT was performed standing under a light sedation and images were evaluated by our diagnostic imaging specialist Alison Talbot. The CT showed a severe injury, resulting in multiple fractures of the bones surrounding the brain and the sinuses 🤕

Conker underwent extensive reconstruction of his wound the same day by surgeon Alex and resident Maurice. Due to an injury to the nervous system, Conker’s intracranial (brain) pressure was managed meticulously by board certified anaesthetist Alison Bennell, who was also able to make sure Conker had the best pain relief possible for his very sore head. 💜

Conker was able to remain comfortable throughout his ordeal. Despite a small region of wound breakdown initially, Conker’s has healed beautifully as you can see in his most recent photograph. He is comfortable and neurologically normal. Success for Conker is largely due to the multitude of specialists available at Leahurst Equine Hospital, colleagues at Nantwich Equine Vets who were able to continue Conker’s monitoring following recovery from his injury, and having a very committed and dedicated owner. 🐎

17/02/2025

💪🤩🦹‍♂️🦸Shout out to the amazing Nursing team 🔥✨⭐️🌟💫

The powerhouse of the equine hospital 💪

Our nursing team consists of
⭐️7 registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) Bec, Jane, Sarah, Paula, Pip, Gena & Devon.
🤩4 student veterinary nurses (SVNs ) Sophie, Hannah, Jenny & Amber.
💪2 nursing support technicians Jean, Nikki
💫& 1 animal care apprentice (ACA) Milly.

Together we provide our patients & the hospital with nursing cover day & night.

We have a highly dedicated night nurse team, Pip, Gena & Devon who ensure continued gold standard intensive inpatient care out of hours. They provide a warm welcome & reassurance for distressed clients & patients upon emergency admission no matter what time of the night.

Our day team nurses are omnicompetent in undertaking all aspects of nursing including but not limited to, assisting in advance orthopaedic & soft tissue procedures some of which can last for several hours. Internal medicine procedures such as endoscopic investigations, neonatal care & cardiac consultations.

They are also instrumental in supporting the rest of the clinical team when implementing & carrying out intensive care treatment plans in our 11 stable intensive care stable block.

We run a nurse led advanced diagnostic imaging service which consists of Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), Computer tomography (CT) & Gamma scintigraphy image acquisition.

Our well-established nursing team regularly take part in delivering national & international CPD, in conjunction with BEVA, BVNA & the University postgraduate unit.

This showcases the wealth of knowledge amongst the team being shared within the profession. Jane our senior nurse, has recently published a chapter in the NEW Textbook of Equine Veterinary Nursing!

It takes 3 years to train as a nurse and involves extensive reading, research, assignments, work based assessments, practical and theoretical exams 💪💪🦸 and all of this whilst working full time at a busy hospital! ⭐️💫✨🌟

13/02/2025

📌𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝘾𝙋𝘿📌

Make sure you are booked onto our jam-packed evening of talks on the 25th February ⏰

The evening is sponsored by Ni**od, and is set to be a diverse and engaging event. 😍

Just email [email protected] to book your place now!😁

🧑‍⚕️🐴🧑‍⚕️REFERRING VETS 🧑‍⚕️🐴🧑‍⚕️

We would like to invite you to attend a free CPD evening on *Tuesday 25th February 2025*

This evening is designed specifically for equine veterinarians based in the North West area.

If you would like to accept this invitation, then please email [email protected] with your name, practice, phone number and dietary requirements. Places are limited and allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis. If there are any other equine vets within your Practice who have not received an invitation, i.e. new staff members, who you feel would benefit from this CPD day, please do not hesitate to contact the office.