Equine Veterinary Care
We care about getting your horses feeling and performing their best! We recommend yearly physical exams to discuss how your horse is doing and identifying any possible issues. We tailor the exam to your specific needs and concerns along with the age of the horse. Click or call today to schedule at-home veterinary services for your horse.
Equine Care
Our Equine Veterinary Services
Proper equine care is essential for maintaining a horse’s health, performance, and overall well-being. A balanced diet, regular hoof care, and routine veterinary check-ups help prevent common issues such as lameness, dental problems, and digestive disorders. Annual vaccinations, deworming when necessary, and dental exams ensure long-term health and comfort. Monitoring for signs of arthritis, metabolic conditions, or weight fluctuations is crucial, especially as horses age. Whether a companion horse or a high-performance athlete, a proactive approach to equine care supports longevity, soundness, and quality of life.
Individualized
Comprehensive Horse Veterinarian Care
All horses need vaccinations once yearly in the Spring and horses that are housed in high density areas such as boarding barns or are frequently traveling to shows need vaccinations in the Fall as well. We recommend that all horses get dewormed annually and then identify the horses that shed high amounts of parasites and create a regular deworming plan.
Horses are more prone to certain diseases and cancers as they age so scheduling exams for your older horses every 6-12 months is very important to keep them in optimal health.
Selecting the proper nutrition plan for your horse is important for every life stage. Unbalanced diets and certain feeds may contribute to underlying diseases and health conditions so it is important to create an individualized nutrition plan for each horse.
Sick and Well-Patient Exams
Routine wellness exams and prompt sick visits are key to maintaining your horse’s health. Wellness exams include a full physical assessment, dental check-up, vaccination review, and nutritional consultation to ensure optimal health and performance. These exams help detect early signs of metabolic disorders, lameness, or dental disease before they become serious issues.
Sick patient exams focus on diagnosing and treating acute conditions such as colic, respiratory infections, lameness, or injuries. A thorough evaluation, including diagnostic testing if needed, allows for timely treatment and recovery.
Whether for preventive care or illness, regular veterinary exams keep your horse healthy and thriving.
Sedated Oral Exams and Floats
Routine dental care is essential for a horse’s overall health, and sedated oral exams allow for a thorough evaluation of the teeth, gums, and oral structures. Sedation ensures a stress-free experience, enabling the veterinarian to identify and address issues such as sharp enamel points, malocclusions, or periodontal disease.
Dental floating, the process of smoothing uneven tooth surfaces, helps maintain proper chewing function and prevents discomfort. Regular floating prevents pain, weight loss, and performance issues caused by dental imbalances.
A proactive approach to equine dentistry promotes better digestion, comfort, and long-term health.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a critical part of equine preventive care, protecting horses from serious infectious diseases. Core vaccines, such as those for tetanus, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, and rabies, are essential for all horses.
Risk-based vaccines, including those for equine influenza, strangles, and equine herpesvirus (EHV-1/4), may be recommended based on exposure risk, travel, and herd dynamics. Regular vaccination schedules help build immunity, reduce disease outbreaks, and support overall herd health.
Consulting with your veterinarian ensures your horse receives the appropriate vaccines for their lifestyle and environment.
Coggins and Health Certificates
Coggins testing and health certificates are essential for horses traveling or attending events. A Coggins test screens for equine infectious anemia (EIA), a contagious and incurable disease, and is required for interstate travel and many competitions.
Health certificates, issued by a veterinarian after a physical exam, confirm that a horse is healthy and free from contagious diseases, ensuring compliance with state and event regulations. Keeping these documents up to date helps protect both your horse and the broader equine community while ensuring smooth and stress-free travel.
Laboratory Blood Work
Routine laboratory blood work is a valuable tool in monitoring a horse’s overall health and detecting underlying conditions before they become serious. Blood tests can assess organ function, hydration levels, and detect infections, inflammation, or metabolic disorders such as Cushing’s disease and insulin resistance.
Common tests include complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panels, which provide insight into liver and kidney function, muscle health, and electrolyte balance.
Regular blood work is especially beneficial for senior horses, performance horses, and those showing signs of illness, ensuring early intervention and optimal long-term health.
PPID/ EMS Testing and Monitoring
Testing and monitoring for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are crucial for managing these common endocrine disorders. PPID affects older horses, leading to symptoms such as a long, curly coat, muscle loss, and laminitis. EMS is characterized by insulin resistance, obesity, and a higher risk of laminitis.
Blood tests measuring ACTH levels for PPID and insulin and glucose levels for EMS help diagnose these conditions early. Regular monitoring and tailored management plans, including diet, exercise, and medication when necessary, help maintain your horse’s health and quality of life.
Digital Radiology
Digital radiology provides high-quality, detailed images to diagnose a wide range of equine health issues quickly and accurately. This advanced imaging technology is essential for evaluating lameness, joint and bone abnormalities, dental issues, and soft tissue injuries. Digital X-rays produce instant results, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment planning.
Whether assessing a potential fracture, monitoring arthritis, or evaluating hoof balance, digital radiology is a vital tool for maintaining your horse’s health and soundness.
Nutrition Guidance
Proper nutrition is the foundation of a horse’s overall health, performance, and longevity. A well-balanced diet supports muscle development, hoof and coat health, digestion, and energy levels.
Nutrition plans should be tailored to each horse’s age, workload, metabolic needs, and any medical conditions, such as PPID or EMS.
Key factors include high-quality forage, appropriate concentrates, vitamins, and minerals to maintain optimal body condition. Regular nutritional evaluations help prevent issues like obesity, ulcers, and deficiencies, ensuring your horse stays healthy and thriving.
Lameness Exams
A lameness exam is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying the source of pain or movement irregularities in horses. The evaluation includes a thorough physical exam, gait assessment, flexion tests, and diagnostic imaging such as digital radiography. Nerve or joint blocks may be used to pinpoint the affected area.
Common causes of lameness include arthritis, hoof imbalances, soft tissue injuries, and laminitis.
Early detection and targeted treatment plans, including corrective shoeing, joint injections, or rehabilitation therapy, help restore soundness and keep your horse performing at its best.
Big or Small, We Love them all!
Miniature horses tend to have an increased incidence of dental malocclusions and secondary dental disease. The size of their teeth relative to their body size is quite large so many times their teeth do not nicely fit in their mouths. It is so important to have regular oral exams and good dental equilibration floats in order to keep their mouths comfortable and functional. Their small mouth size presents a challenge to get the teeth properly examined and floated. We have a wide variety of floats that can be used depending on the mouth size in order to address the need at hand.Â
Comprehensive Care for Your Small Ruminants
Essential Vaccinations for Small Ruminants
We recommend two vaccines for all goats and sheep: (1) CD&T – Clostridium tetani & C. perfringens types C & D; (2) Rabies. These vaccines are given annually with yearly veterinary examinations.
There are other less common vaccinations used for commercial farms but are not commonly used for pets.
Small Ruminant Health Care for All Life Stages
Comprehensive health care is essential for small ruminants at every stage of life. Proper nutrition supports growth, reproduction, and longevity, while routine veterinary check-ups help prevent common issues.
Though parasites are less prevalent in our area, monitoring for signs of infestation remains important. Infectious disease testing ensures herd health by identifying and managing conditions early. As small ruminants age, arthritis and mobility challenges may arise, requiring adjustments in care and nutrition.
Pig Hoof and Tusk Trims
Regular hoof and tusk maintenance is essential for the health and well-being of pigs. Overgrown hooves can cause pain, lameness, and mobility issues, while unchecked tusks in males can lead to injuries or difficulty eating.
Client Testimonials
small ruminant veterinary care
Your Guide to Small Ruminant Appointments
Scheduling Your Appointment Made Easy
Contact us to schedule an appointment at your convenience with the experienced and caring Dr. Alicia, who will come to the comfort of your home (or barn).
Comprehensive Wellness Exams for Your Ruminants
Our wellness exams ensure your animals are healthy and thriving.
Essential Vaccinations for Optimal Health
We recommend two vaccines for all goats and sheep: (1) CD&T – Clostridium tetani & C. perfringens types C & D; (2) Rabies. These vaccines are given annually with yearly veterinary examinations.
There are other less common vaccinations used for commercial farms but are not commonly used for pets.
Procedures Tailored to Your Animal’s Needs
Our skilled veterinarians perform essential procedures such as deworming, addressing parasites, and diagnosing common diseases, all with utmost care.