Every year, Dr. Megan Hindman estimates she performs up to 100 swine surgical procedures in the field.
And by “the field” she means a non-controlled environment to conduct the surgeries.
That has all changed recently with a new mobile surgery unit Hindman will be able to take on the road with Iowa State’s Veterinary Field Services unit. The pig spays are just one example of what the unit will be used for.
“The mobile surgery unit will provide a much more regulated environment to complete the surgery than the pig surgeries I usually complete in a barn,” said the clinical assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. “If there is a need out there, we will take this unit to fill that need.”
The mobile surgery unit is an enclosed trailer which will be used to control environment for minor procedures for farm animals. It includes a heat and air conditioning unit, counterspace, storage, water, lights, and a surgical table.
“Our plan is to utilize the unit primarily for show pig surgeries, but other minor procedure could be used on calves and small ruminants as well,” Hindman said.
A mobile surgical unit is common among small animal practitioners but is a rarity for the farm animal species. The unit will provide a much-needed sterile environment to perform cyrpotorchid surgeries, herniorrhaphies, and preputial diverticulectamies. The unit will also serve as a dual purpose for other areas in the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center.
But most of all, Hindman hopes this inspires Iowa State veterinary students to potentially do something similar after graduation. She originally got the idea from an Indiana practice where she did a preceptorship in vet school.
“Hopefully this will show students more of the mobile options that are out there and show them it can be cost effective for producers and veterinarians alike,” she said.
February 2025
