Hospitalization & Postoperative Care

The hospitalization & postoperative care department at Equitom Lummen is under the expert guidance of veterinarians Merel Slabbinck and Yanice Pauwels. Together with assistant Tiffany, they carefully watch over the recovery of our hospitalized patients every day. From horses that have just undergone surgery to cases that require specialized wound care — each animal receives the customized care it needs.

Merel and Yanice are the first point of contact for owners. They will keep you informed on the healing process through daily updates, photos and videos. Transparent communication is their top priority.

Expertise in wound care & therapy

Both veterinarians have specialized in advanced wound care. Thanks to their training and experience, they know exactly which bandages and techniques promote wound healing at which time. They often find an effective approach for even the most complex wounds.

One of the techniques that achieves remarkable results at Equitom is the ‘Meek technique’ for skin transplantation — a method from human medicine in which small pieces of donor skin are multiplied to treat large lesions. This technique ensures a higher success rate and an aesthetically pleasing recovery.

In addition, the type IV laser for photobiomodulation is used daily. This painless therapy stimulates cell growth, improves microcirculation and helps to reduce oedema. The result? Faster recovery, less pain and a reduced risk of complications.

Hoof care with an eye for detail

Merel and Yanice work together very closely with our specialist farrier Wim Bode. Post-operative hoof care — think of hoof abscesses, keratomas, horn columns or even ‘hoof cancer’ — requires knowledge, precision and experience. Thanks to innovative, minimally invasive treatment methods, even these challenging cases are successfully tackled. They also treat horses with conditions such as lymphangitis and mud fever, as well as horses with various hoof problems. They also provide the necessary care to foals with postural deviations.

More than just medical care

In addition to wound and hoof care, Merel and Yanice also provide advice on medication, nutritional supplements, and plant extracts. They know better than anyone which products offer support at which point in the recovery process, while also taking into account the behaviour of horses and their overall well-being.

Education & Professional Development

Both Merel and Yanice successfully completed their training as veterinarians at the University of Ghent, with a dedication to horses. Merel graduated in 2023, followed by a rotating internship at the Surgery, Anesthesia and Orthopedics department for large animals, where she further developed her passion for hoof problems, nutrition and behaviour.

Yanice followed her heart for horses and did extensive internships during her training, including in France, which gave her a broad and international view of veterinary medicine. In 2024, she took her first steps at Equitom through an internship that grew into a permanent position within the team.