Ascot Equine Vets

03/01/2025

Farewell to Dr. Tara 💙

This weekend marks Tara’s final weekend with us before she heads back to Ireland. Over the 2024 breeding season, she has done an incredible job managing the breeding work at Scenic Lodge. From getting dummy foals to their feet, to working up colics, to diagnosing lameness, Tara has shown her versatility, skill, and dedication every step of the way.

Tara’s cheerful attitude and unwavering commitment have made her an invaluable part of our team. She truly is one in a million, and we are so grateful for everything she has done.

We hope this isn’t goodbye, just “see ya later.” Tara, we know you’ll continue to shine in Ireland and beyond! 🌟

Leave a message below to wish Tara well on her next adventure! 👇

23/12/2024

🎉 Proud Sponsors of the TBWA Staff Newcomer Award 🎉

We were thrilled to sponsor the Staff Newcomer Award at the TBWA Awards on Saturday! This award celebrates individuals who have recently joined our industry and are already making a remarkable impact.

A huge congratulations to Rebekah Healy of Rangeview Stud, the deserving winner of this year’s award! Your hard work, dedication, and fresh perspectives are a testament to the bright future of our industry. 🌟

Congratulations as well to all the other award winners on the day—it was inspiring to see so much talent and passion in one room. A fantastic event, and we’re honoured to have been a part of it!

17/12/2024

Not all heroes wear capes—some have long ears and tiny hooves! 🐴✨

Yesterday, we had the absolute pleasure of meeting Moses, the most adorable miniature donkey you ever did see. Needless to say, he became an instant celebrity! From his sweet nature to his undeniable charm, Moses brought so much joy to the team (and yes, countless selfies were taken to prove it).

Moses was a little dehydrated when he came in, but with Dr. Bryden’s care and expertise—plus some IV and oral fluids—he’s now back on track and feeling much better.

It’s incredible how a little visitor can make such a big impact. Thank you, Moses, for brightening our day!

11/12/2024

📢 Important Reminder: Plan Ahead for the Holiday Season! 🎄

With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, it’s essential to ensure your horse’s long-term medications are stocked up to last through the holiday break. Many of our suppliers will be closed during this period, which could result in delays or unavailability of certain medications.

Examples include:

• Atrovent
• Pulmicort
• Gastrozol
• Prascend/Pergolide
• Prevequine
• Thyroxine
• Ertugliflozin

To avoid running out, please place your orders by next week (Monday, December 16th) at the latest. This ensures we can have everything ready in time!

If you’re unsure about your horse’s needs or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s work together to keep your horses healthy and happy over the festive season!

📞 Call the clinic on 08 9277 7737 to place your orders.

10/12/2024

🎉 Happy Birthday to our incredible stable attendant (and aspiring equine vet!), Belinda! 🎂

Belinda joined Ascot Equine Vets in August 2021, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from her years of experience in Thoroughbred breeding and a passion for reproduction and foal medicine. Her dedication to the field inspired a big career change, and she’s now well on her way to becoming an equine veterinarian, currently finishing her third year of Veterinary Science at Murdoch University.

This week, we’ve been lucky to have her with us as part of her vet placement, and it’s clear that her determination and love for horses will take her far. 💪🐴

Belinda, we’re so proud of everything you’re achieving, and we hope your birthday is as amazing as you are. Thank you for being such a valued part of our team! 💐🎉

09/12/2024

🎉 Belated Happy Birthday to Dr. Dani! 🎉

Over the weekend, we celebrated the birthday of one of our fabulous surgeons, Dr. Dani! 🎂🔧🐴 Her skill, dedication, and compassion make such a difference to every patient she cares for and every team member she works alongside.

We hope you had an amazing day filled with all your favorite things, Dani! Here’s to another incredible year ahead. 💙

Join us in wishing Dr. Dani a (slightly belated) happy birthday in the comments below!

01/12/2024

☀️ Top Tips for Caring for Your Horse This Summer 🌻

The first day of summer is here, and it’s time to keep your equine friends comfortable and healthy as the temperatures rise. Here are our top tips to help your horse beat the heat:

💧 Hydration is key: Horses drink more water in hot weather. Always provide fresh, clean water!

🌳 Provide shade: Ensure your horse has access to shelter, whether it’s a barn, trees, or a man-made structure.

🌡️ Watch for heat stress: Look out for signs like heavy sweating, rapid breathing, or lethargy, and act quickly to cool your horse down.

🧽 Groom regularly: Removing sweat and dirt improves comfort and prevents skin irritation.

🦟 Protect from flies: Use fly repellent, fly masks, or sheets to keep insects at bay.

☀️ Apply sunscreen: Protect exposed pink skin, such as the muzzle, to reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

🏃 Adjust exercise times: Plan rides during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the peak heat.

Taking these steps ensures your horse enjoys summer as much as you do! 🌞

30/11/2024

✨ A Night of Learning and Connections at the EVA WA State Meeting ✨

Last night, most of our vet team attended the EVA WA State Meeting, and what a fantastic evening it was! 🐎

Our very own Dr. Pete Harding took to the stage, presenting on “Navigating Intraarticular Medication”—a fascinating topic that sparked plenty of conversation. 📖
We also enjoyed an insightful presentation from Dr. Josie Faulkner, veterinary radiologist from Murdoch University, on “Comparative Imaging and How to Choose Modalities.” 🩻

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Isabel, who was the lucky door prize winner and went home with a lovely bottle of champagne! 🍾

It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow colleagues, past team members, and friends within the industry.

A huge thank you to Dr. Laura Cox, WA EVA representative, for organising such an amazing event, and to sponsors Provet and Randlab, whose support makes nights like this possible.

Here’s to continuing to grow, learn, and support each other in the equine veterinary community! 🐴


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29/11/2024

🎉🐾 Happy 3rd Birthday, Luna! 🐾🎉

Today we’re celebrating our beloved Ascot mascot, Luna! For three years, this sweet girl has been bringing joy, cuddles, and a touch of mischief to the team, clients, and patients alike. Whether she’s brightening our day with her wagging tail or lending a comforting paw to those who need it most, Luna truly is one of a kind. 💖

Drop your birthday wishes for Luna below! 🥳 We’re sure she’ll woof her thanks in return! 🐕✨

25/11/2024

Clearing the Dark Void of the Sarcoid (and More) at Ascot Equine Vets

Zap Zap—how’s that for innovation? 💥 Electrochemotherapy is transforming the way we treat equine skin tumours, offering a non-invasive and highly effective alternative to traditional treatments.

🌟 Uses and Benefits:

• Equine Sarcoids:
• Particularly effective for resolving these common equine skin tumours.
• Success rates surpass treatments like surgical excision, cryosurgery, or laser surgery.
• In one study, 97.9% of horses treated maintained tumour resolution even 4 years later.
• Other Skin Tumours:
• Treats mast cell tumours, carcinomas, melanomas, and more.
• Alternative to Surgery:
• Ideal when surgical removal is difficult due to tumour location or aggressive growth.

🔬 How Does It Work?

1️⃣ A chemotherapeutic drug is injected directly into the lesion.
2️⃣ Electrical pulses are applied to open tumour cell pores, increasing drug uptake by up to 100 times.
3️⃣ Blood vessels within the lesion are sealed, keeping the drug concentrated in the tumour for maximum impact.

⏳ Procedure Details:

• Horses are anesthetised using a short-acting anaesthetic.
• Each session lasts about 20 minutes.
• Small tumours (< 2 cm) often resolve in 1–2 treatments, while larger tumours may need multiple sessions or surgical debulking beforehand.

Electrochemotherapy isn’t just about treating sarcoids—it’s a game-changer for many equine skin tumours. If your horse is dealing with a stubborn tumour, reach out to learn how this advanced treatment can help!

24/11/2024

This weekend, we were proud to sponsor the Maiden Class at the Boar Swamp Campdraft. A huge congratulations to Brett Edwards for taking out the win, and well done to all the placegetters and competitors who put on such a fantastic display of skill and horsemanship.

At Ascot Equine Vets, we love supporting all aspects of the equine community, from the excitement of campdrafting to caring for equine athletes in every discipline. It’s always a privilege to be part of events that bring together the passion and dedication of horse owners, riders, and supporters alike.

Here’s to many more successful runs and a big thank you to Boar Swamp Campdraft for hosting such an incredible event! 🐴✨

23/11/2024

🎩🐎 Railway Stakes Day at Ascot 🐎🎩

It wasn’t just the horses turning heads today at Ascot Racecourse! Some of our team swapped their scrubs and stethoscopes for fabulous frocks and dapper outfits, enjoying a well-deserved day out at the races.

The Railway Stakes is a highlight of the racing calendar, and it’s always a thrill to celebrate the sport we’re so passionate about, both on and off the track. A huge thank you to everyone who made the day so special!

Here’s to glamour, great company, and unforgettable moments 🥂🐴

21/11/2024

We are excited to sponsor the inaugural Newcomer Award at the upcoming TBWA awards, which will be held on Westspeed Platinum Raceday, at Ascot, on December 21st.

TBWA are delighted to announce Ascot Equine Vets as the sponsor of our Newcomer Award for 2024.

Their commitment to excellence and support for emerging talent in the thoroughbred industry is truly commendable. This sponsorship highlights their dedication to recognising and celebrating the hard work and achievements of newcomers who are making a significant impact in our field.

This prestigious accolade recognises the hard work, dedication and exceptional talent of those who have recently joined the thoroughbred breeding community. These newcomers bring fresh perspectives, unwavering enthusiasm, and a drive for excellence, enriching our industry and paving the way for a brighter future. We are excited to honour these outstanding individuals who have quickly become invaluable members of our community and have set the bar high for others to follow.

Join us in expressing our heartfelt thanks to Ascot Equine Veterinarians for their continued generosity and support! Let's continue to champion the bright futures of our industry's rising stars.

20/11/2024

🫁Pleuropneumonia in Foals: A Rare but Serious Condition 🫁

This foal was diagnosed with bilateral pleuropneumonia—a severe and uncommon infection in foals. Unlike typical pneumonia, which affects the lungs, pleuropneumonia involves inflammation and infection of the pleural cavity, the interior chest wall, and the lung surfaces.

In healthy horses, a small amount of fluid in the pleural cavity allows the lungs to glide smoothly as they expand and contract. However, in this case, infection led to significant fluid accumulation, making it difficult for the foal to breathe.

Using ultrasound to guide us, we drained the excess pleural fluid from her chest to help her lungs expand more effectively. This is just one part of her intensive treatment plan, but she’s already showing signs of improvement.

📸: Pictured here is the procedure to remove the pleural fluid, a vital step in managing this life-threatening condition.

15/11/2024

Summer vibes are kicking in at Ascot Equine Vets! 🌞 Dr. Amanda and Dr. Natasha are keeping cool with icy poles while hard at work on dental duties. It’s hard to believe it’s already that time of year when icy poles are a must! HHarrison's Horse Handling

13/11/2024

👁 Corneal Ulcers in Horses: Don’t Ignore Eye Pain! 👁

Eye pain in horses should never be ignored. This horse came in with discomfort, and look what we found hiding beneath the third eyelid—the culprit! A small grass seed had lodged itself there, causing a painful corneal ulcer. The green fluorescent circle you see in the photo is the ulcer, highlighted with fluorescein stain to help us locate it.

Remember to check under fly veils daily, as debris can easily get trapped and cause irritation or injury. Thanks to this diligent owner who had the eye checked early, we could remove the grass seed before things got worse!

12/11/2024

🌹 Stop and Smell the Roses! 🌹

Our gardens are in bloom, and the roses are looking amazing! We take pride in keeping Ascot Equine Vets as welcoming as possible—not just for our clients and patients, but for all of us who work here, too. So next time you’re around, take a moment to enjoy the view and soak up a bit of floral therapy. 🌸

07/11/2024

All hands on deck here at Ascot Equine Vets. While this delivery didn’t bring the outcome we’d hoped for, we’re grateful that the mare is safe and recovering well. Our team is always here to support both mare and foal through the most challenging moments. Moments like these remind us of the dedication and resilience required in equine care.💔💪