The Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital has opened a state-of-the-art critical care facility serving horse owners in southeast Wisconsin and referral cases from throughout the Midwest.

The 7,200-square-foot critical care facility, in Oconomowoc, Wis., contains five intensive care stalls, a neonatal care unit, two large exam rooms, a laboratory, pharmacy, nursing station and client waiting room.

“With a horse population of more than 17,000 in southeastern Wisconsin, we saw an urgent need for an intensive care and neonatal care facility, Dr. Robert P. Magnus, founder of the privately held Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital.

“When people need emergency treatment, they rush to a top facility staffed with seasoned specialists. We wanted to provide the same level of care for horses. And with referral cases coming in from several other states, we knew it was time to build,” he said.

The facility is important to local area veterinarians as well. Dr. Elaine Burkhart, a sole practitioner in nearby Cambridge, Wis., refers cases to Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital.

“I really like the depth and knowledge of the staff at Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital,” Burkhart said.

“They really communicate well with the referring veterinarian. They respect you and keep you informed. And because they are horse people, they quality of care seems to be better. My clients have commented on that,” she said.

Veterinarians who are board-certified in a variety of disciplines and specialties staff the critical care facility. The help speed diagnosis and treatment, they use the latest in diagnostic and monitoring equipment. Patients are monitored around the clock to ensure they are comfortable and their treatment is progressing according to plan.

Complementing the critical care facility is a state-of-the-art hospital, in-house laboratory and diagnostic imaging center. The staff’s ability to perform immediate detailed diagnostic evaluations allows for continual testing and treatment, which is impractical in the field.

Founded in 1992, the Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital is located in Oconomowoc, Wis., between Madison and Milwaukee. With 10 affiliated veterinarians, the clinic treats animals ranging from the backyard horse to the show champions and racehorse. In addition to emergency and neonatal care, the clinic’s veterinarians provide a wide range of services, including equine dentistry, reproduction and neonatal services, sports medicine, surgery, internal medicine and equine ophthalmology. The clinic has patients referred from seven states--Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Minnesota.