Equine IMED is a specialty practice with expertise in Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Respiratory, Performance and Wellness.
Equine IMED offers:
ACVIM Board Certified Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist
Additional 3 years of intensive training in specialized areas. A greater knowledge of unusual or uncommon conditions. Use of diagnostic equipment not generally used by a primary care veterinarians.
Advanced Technology
Specialization with state-of-the-art portable diagnostic equipment capable of offering a vast array of services in a field setting. This includes a complete cardiac evaluation with cardiac ultrasound, ECG and exercising ECG.
On-site Examination
Examining a horse in their own setting greatly improves the patient experience while providing additional information regarding environmental and management factors that allow for a more comprehensive evaluation.
Team Approach
A focus on close collaboration between specialist, client, and primary care veterinarian to provide the best possible care for your horse.
Our Services
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![Equine Cardiac Diagnosis and Treatment]()
Cardiac
Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), ECG, Holter monitor for exercising ECG and 24 holter
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![Equine Respiratory Diagnosis and Treatment]()
Respiratory / Pulmonology
Thoracic ultrasound, Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), Endoscopy, Allergy testing
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![Equine Gastroenterology Diagnosis and Treatment]()
Gastroenterology
Gastroscopy,
Abdominal ultrasound -
![Equine Wellness: Preventative Care]()
Wellness
Preventative health care including cardiac, endocrine and nutritional evaluations
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![Equine Neurology Diagnosis and Treatment]()
Neurology
Comprehensive neurological/gait evaluation.
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![Equine Performance Evaluation]()
Performance
Poor performance evaluation including comprehensive examination with cardiac and respiratory diagnostic testing
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![Equine Specialty Services]()
Other Services
Dermatology, Urology, Complete Ultrasound and other
About
Equine IMED (Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Services) provides mobile internal medicine services for cases that would otherwise require transport to a referral facility. Equine IMED brings the specialist to the patient. Advances in diagnostic equipment have made portable equipment capable of offering these services in a field setting. Examining a horse in their own setting can improve the patient experience while providing additional information regarding environmental and management factors that allow for a more comprehensive evaluation. Equine IMED also offers Wellness services including a new HEART HEALTH PROGRAM.
Dr. Polkes lives in Maryland, with the primary practice area being Maryland and Virginia. Cases are also seen in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania on a monthly basis. When a client is out of the practice area, there are several options for bringing a horse to a local facility for evaluation. *The goal is to provide collaboration between a specialist, primary care veterinarian and client to allow for the best possible outcome.
What is a Board-Certified Veterinary Specialist?
A board-certified veterinary specialist is similar to their human medical counterparts in that they have completed an internship and residency in their specialized field with an additional 3 years of intensive training. Additionally, a rigorous examination must be passed to achieve board certification from their certifying organization.
Why this matters
Specialists bring a deeper understanding in their specialty field and have a greater knowledge of unusual or uncommon conditions or cases that are refractory to treatment. Additionally, a specialist may have state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and advanced technology for diagnostic purposes.
What kind of cases does an Internal Medicine Specialist see?
Gastrointestinal diseases– gastric ulcers, weight loss, colic, diarrhea (chronic), other.
Cardiac– evaluation of murmurs, arrhythmias, or poor performance.
Respiratory disease – poor performance, chronic cough and difficult respiratory cases.
Neurological disease– Comprehensive neurological/gait evaluations.
Other- Urinary tract, endocrinololgy, dermatology.
Meet the Team
Dr. Amy Polkes
Equine Internal Medicine Specialist
Dr. Amy Polkes is a board certified Equine Internal Medicine specialist. Dr. Polkes received her Bachelor in Science from Cornell University and her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She was in private equine practice for several years before continuing her training at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine. She became board certified in Large Animal Internal Medicine after completing her residency program (2002). She completed additional cardiology training at the Royal Veterinary College under Dr. Celia Marr. As part of a small community of equine veterinary specialists dedicated to cardiology, she regularly participates in advanced cardiology courses.
In 2003, Dr. Polkes established an Equine internal medicine mobile consulting practice in Maryland and Virginia. She then expanded her practice and now travels to New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania on a monthly basis.
Dr. Polkes is also the Equine Internal Medicine Specialist for Antech Diagnostics. She has helped to facilitate the expansion of Equine Diagnostic testing within Antech Diagnostics to provide more comprehensive and advanced equine diagnostic testing. She continues to work with Antech to offer quality diagnostic testing to equine practitioners and provide continuing education.
Residing in Maryland with her husband and her 3 dogs, she enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and hopefully will be riding again soon. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her children are in college and graduated, but she values her family time and strives to find time with them!
Caitlin Lighthouse
Practice Manager
Caitlin Lighthouse has been in the horse industry since she was a teenager. Caitlin grew up competing at the upper levels of both Evening and Jumpers across the United States before settling down in Northern California to start a family where she worked as an equine veterinary technician for many years. When she is not working for Equine IMED, Caitlin works as an exercise rider or can be found foxhunting in the Virginia countryside. Caitlin spends her free time with her husband, two toddlers (Lochlan and Chancey), their dog Breakfast, and their cat Horsey.
Riley Wight
Veterinary Technician
Raised in Australia, Riley built a strong foundation in the equine world, beginning with eventing before discovering a passion for polocrosse. After relocating to Maryland in 2021, she has continued to compete in polocrosse, traveling across the country for tournaments and representing the United States in international competitions.
In addition to her competitive career, Riley has worked professionally training reining and cutting horses, as well as dabbling in other disciplines.
She is also certified in equine sports massage and is currently pursuing her education in veterinary technology, always wanting to deepen her knowledge in equine health.
Stacy Steinberg
Administrative Assistant
Although new to the world of equine medicine, Stacy is always up for a new challenge. She has had many roles in the business world over the years, but her most cherished role is that of mom to her three children. Stacy resides in Georgia where she loves to be outdoors and on the courts playing tennis and pickleball any chance she gets.
She loves to travel, spend time with family and friends and her old English sheepdog