MLEC SERVICES

At MLEC we have strived to encompass all of your horses needs. We feel that by collectively working together our team can enhance your horse’s abilities and maintain them at the top of their athletic careers. Our Sports Medicine Team is built from years of training and experience. We take a unique approach that requires fewer invasive procedures while gaining more diagnostic information for treatment and therapy. Similar to human medicine we feel that having an all encompassing approach allows our vets to provide complete care.

The lower mainland is home to thousands of horses whom partake in dressage, show jumping, western sports, endurance competition, vaulting, standardbred racing, TB racing, eventing and many more. We commonly see horses from many different disciplines and we found that by utilizing every modality if required we can better treat your horse.

We are excited to provide these options for you and your horse. We look forward to helping you reach you goals.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the adjunctive therapies that we offer at Meadow Lane Equine Clinic. Dr. Robyn Kopala has been practicing acupuncture since 2009 when she completed advanced training in veterinary acupuncture at Colorado State University. She is pleased to offer this service as part of a comprehensive approach to veterinary medicine.

Acupuncture is typically performed without sedation, and begins with a thorough history and musculoskeletal examination of the horse. Saddle assessment or soundness evaluations may be performed as indicated. This systematic approach ensures that the source of your horse’s musculoskeletal pain can be identified, and treatment can be tailored for maximal effect. Acupuncture is performed based on Dr. Kopala’s clinical findings and your horse’s response to the treatment at the time of the procedure and long-term. The response to acupuncture varies with each horse, but Dr. Kopala finds that optimal effect is seen after several weekly acupuncture treatments.

Dr. Kopala typically performs dry-needle acupuncture. However, she is well-versed in aquapuncture (injection of vitamin B12) and electroacupuncture (electrode stimulation) for the select cases where it is indicated.

Acupuncture can be very beneficial in the diagnosis and relief of musculoskeletal pain in the following circumstances:

• Compensatory musculoskeletal pain secondary to lameness
• Ill-fitting tack
• Following trauma or extended lay-ups
• Presence of kissing spines or other conformational abnormalities
• Laminitis
• Muscle atrophy secondary to nerve injury