Canberra Mobile Vets

03/02/2025

So many feed supplements to choose from!
Let us know in the comments which supplement has had the most benefit to your horses' coats and condition, with photo evidence even better!

02/02/2025

To the ponies of Canberra, please stop colicking! We've had 5 colics in 2 days!

Though we can never entirely prevent colic, our best advice is to keep your horses well hydrated by:

- always providing fresh, clean, plain water

- in addition, during higher risk periods, provide multiple types of water, e.g. molasses (not suitable for insulin resistance or laminitic horses), electrolyte and hay in water

- wetting down well their feed and even their hay

- give daily/every second day electrolytes in hot weather and after heavy work

- monitor quantity and consistency of manure, contact a vet if reduced or dry

- monitor water intake, a 500kg horse will need about 25L in 24 hours, more if in work

https://thehorse.com/117668/understanding-horses-water-requirements/

05/01/2025

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-05/2003-canberra-bushfire-lessons-how-to-care-for-horses/104758414

Many lessons came from the 2003 Canberra firestorm, including how to better care for horses during a bushfire emergency. This summer, horse owners are being urged to have emergency safety plans in place for their animals.

22/12/2024

A reminder of our availability this holiday season.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

09/12/2024

04/12/2024

More Bushfire Preparedness Tips for Horse Owners

- Have at least 3 to 5 days of feed available off-site in case you need to evacuate your horse quickly

- Be able to identify your horse with their microchip number, photographs of each side, front, rear and their brands

- Let family and friends know your bushfire plan for your horse and have a backup person/people ready if you are away who knows your bushfire plan

- Set up a buddy system with a friend for evacuations and practise your bushfire plans before there is an emergency

- Ensure your float is registered and has been serviced so you know it's safe to use in an emergency, and your towing vehicle too

Don't forget to:
- Have your horse microchipped and the chip number registered with a local equine veterinary practice for easy identification

- Practise float training with your horse well ahead of an emergency! Ensure you give it plenty of time, are relaxed and get help if you need it. It is essential your horse can load safely and quickly in an emergency if evacuating them is part of your bushfire plan.

And remember - your horse will be stressed in an emergency situation and may not behave normally. It is likely to take longer to do things than usual.

29/11/2024

MESSAGE REGARDING EQUINE EMERGENCIES

As many horse owners in the region would be aware, we are one of few veterinary services currently providing large animal after-hours emergency care.

This places a huge burden on us (occasionally Tash and Charlie do need a break!), but also creates challenges with logistics and triaging patients. Additionally, there is a limit to the veterinary care we can provide in the field.

Notifying us early (even if you do not think you need a vet straight away) can help to prevent your horse deteriorating and assist us with scheduling.

Keeping your horse up-to-date with general husbandry including vaccinations, dentals and deworming is also helpful. Crucially, in summer, ensure your horse remains well hydrated.

Please note you may have to travel to a veterinary hospital providing 24/7 emergency care such as:
- Camden Equine Centre in Brownlow Hill,
- the Veterinary Clinical Centre at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and
- Randwick Equine Specialists in Horsely Park.
Therefore, having your horse float trained and transport organised ahead of time is important.

We apologise if we have to reschedule your pre-booked appointment to attend to an emergency and appreciate your understanding. We will always try our best to assist you.

Kindly,
The Canberra Mobile Vets Team.

26/11/2024

A surprising library book today!

26/11/2024

Check out Jamison Veterinary Hospital's FB and Insta for more informative and fun small animal posts!

24/11/2024

As bushfire season is here, we will be providing some information about how you can be prepared.

2 key points:

- practise float loading with your horses now so they can be evacuated quickly and safely if that's part of your fire plan

- ensure your horses are microchipped and the chip registered on a local equine veterinary practice's data base

Fire risk management planning. In times of crisis, the key to survival of ourselves and our animals is forward planning and self reliance.

28/10/2024

Equine Dental Special is here again!
Get your horse's teeth done before Christmas dinner starts!
Call us on 0424 959 115 to book your horse in and get 10% off.

26/10/2024

Equine endocrine disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) feature some striking clinical similarities, most notably a predisposition to the development of chronic laminitis. However, the underlying disease biology is quite different in each case.

The graphic below describes some key differences to be aware of between the two diseases.

If you have questions or concerns about your horse in regard to EMS or PPID, contact your veterinarian so that they may further evaluate them.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

20/10/2024

A great video from a world expert with considerations for signs of lameness/pain in the horse and how veterinary diagnostics can help

Is your horse being resistant or could the issue be pain? World-renown equine orthopedist / lameness expert, Dr. Sue Dyson, shows you the signs of pain in th...

20/10/2024

Nice article on lameness workups from the British Horse Society

Lameness can come from any part of the horse’s body and alter the way they move, behavioural traits and their ability to perform.

20/10/2024

2 key points about lameness in the horse (or any animal!)

1. Lameness = Pain

2. Horses can't 'put it on'. When the pain goes away they stop being lame. That's why nerve blocks are so helpful in diagnosing even chronic lameness.

16/10/2024

EQUINE SARCOIDS - see the link below for information from the world's expert, Prof Derek Knottenbelt

https://equinesarcoid.co.uk/types

04/10/2024

A great post on what to do for bee stings in dogs:

Do you know how to tell if your dog has been stung by a bee? We've put together a handy list of signs to be aware of and what to do.

04/10/2024

Preventing Stomach Ulcers in Horses
1. Limit stressful situations such as changes in the herd/housing, stabling or paddocking in isolation and competitions/travel.
2. Feed frequently and provide free-choice
access to grass or hay. This is imperative to neutralise stomach acids and stimulate saliva production.
3. Feed a small amount of hay before riding to coat the stomach wall and help reduce acid hitting the wall during exercise.
4. Horses at greatest risk will benefit from medication to decrease acid production.