When thinking about a veterinarian practice most will visualise a small, nice practice for our two- and four-legged little darlings where you may find the odd rabbit or guinea-pig next to cats and dogs seeking medical advice and help. Then our friends are healed with the help of modern medical technology and medicine. This usually happens directly in the vet’s examination room with the pet-lover present. But what if a patient the size of a horse is to be treated, and under narcotics?
The veterinarian practice Eichhäuser Hof in Bad Rappenauer which is a part of Bonfeld is prepared for treating bigger animals. Dr. Almuth von Scheven is an experienced veterinarian especially when it comes to horses. In order to be able to move the up to 1.000 kg heavy narcotized animals from the well padded room where they are narcotized to the operating theatre, Dr. von Scheven uses a small crane. A 10 meter long steel girder at the ceiling of the operating theatre is used as the crane runway for an electric chain hoist type SKB with 1.000 kg ultimate load by the Mannheim based hoisting specialist SWF Krantechnik. A flat cable energises the hoist. A balancer keeps the control switch within comfortable reach. With the help of a sliding trolley the animal patient can easily and gently be moved from one room to another by the two person operating team. The mounting and maintenance of the crane was taken on by the industry supplier Carl Stahl from Neckarsulm in the course of a replacement of an old chain hoist.
At the Eichhäuser Hof there are, next to the operating theatre, eight other boxes for in-patient treatment of horses. In the case of an operation the patient is narcotized in a specially padded box. The floor is covered with special non-skid rubber mat so as to minimise the risk of injury. When the narcotic is working slings are wound around the animal’s legs and it is gently lifted. At first view this might seem hurtful but it really is the gentlest way of moving a sleeping animal. After reaching the operating theatre the animal is then lowered onto the adjustable operating table and treatment begins. After the operation the patient is transported back into the padded box and is watched continually during the process of waking up. The team around Dr. von Scheven treats an average of two horses a week with the help of this transportation system.
Boehringer Str. 4