Larch Veterinary Services

11/23/2025

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.

11/16/2025

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11/08/2025

Our office will be closed next Tuesday November 11th, in recognition of Remembrance Day, and will re-open on Wednesday November 12th at 9:00 AM.

If you have an equine emergency during this time, please call 778-562-5455 and our on-call veterinarian will assist you.

11/06/2025

FYI: This currently affects horses coming from Arizona into Canada but if you are planning on traveling to Arizona this winter with your horses (and would like to return) you should be aware of the outbreak status.

Important news if you are planning to take your horses to Arizona and then return to Canada with them.

Edit: it does say this in the post, but this affects horses travelling TO Canada from Arizona. The best source of accurate information on importing/exporting horses is the CFIA and our most current information is that horses coming back from Arizona will need to be quarantined. If we get different information, we will be sure to update this.

11/05/2025

We are excited to be partnering with Lady Farmer in the Okanagan for a free educational talk at the Vernon Library on November 23rd from 12:30-1:30pm. We hope to see you there! 🐎

11/01/2025

Here at Larch we get asked great questions about how to care for older horses, especially as we move into winter. There is a great free learning opportunity with a webinar offered from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The registration link will be in the comments below:

Care and Management of the Elderly Equine

Just like with people, the needs of horses change as they age. In this informative webinar presented by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee, Drs. Kim Allshouse, Allie Catalino and Ashley Pfeifer will share insights and recommendations on proper geriatric care that will help your older horses live their best lives! The wide-ranging discussion will include diet, dentistry, common diseases and illnesses, preventative care and more.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to meet the evolving health and nutritional needs of your aging equine companions.

Please note that this educational session is free, but registration is required. A recording of the session will be available on AAEP Anywhere and YouTube.

Note: It's 5PM PST. :D

10/25/2025

Why “Larch”?
At Larch Veterinary Services, our name comes from the beautiful larch tree — one of the only conifers that changes color and drops its needles in the fall. We love how the Larch stands for adaptability, resilience, and the beauty of every season. If you are driving Trinity Valley Road (as we were!) it's a lovely sight.
If you can find some sun, it's even better!
Happy Fall Everyone!

10/10/2025

Our office will be closed for the Thanksgiving weekend and will re-open on Tuesday October 14th at 9:00 AM.

If you have an equine emergency during this time, please call 778-562-5455 and our on-call veterinarian will assist you.

09/22/2025

Our office will be closed for regular appointments next week on Tuesday September 30th in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

If you have an equine emergency please call us at 778-562-5455 and leave a voice message. Your call will be responded to shortly after.

Although the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action doesn't specifically address veterinarians, we believe that our profession has an important role to play in reconciliation through our interactions with pet owners and as members of our community.

Read the TRC’s Calls to Action here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2091412-trc-calls-to-action.html

If you're looking for an opportunity to reflect on one of the many ways colonization has impacted Indigenous People, we encourage you to visit the Armstrong Museum and Art Gallery. Until September 27th, they are hosing a reconciliatory art display called "Echoes of Our Lineage". This artwork is specific to the MMIWG2S+ crisis.
https://armstrongspallmuseumart.com/september-exhibition-four-artists-unique-expressions-echoes-of-our-lineage

09/12/2025

Meet Major!

Major suffered a full-thickness laceration to his right hind leg on one unfortunate night this summer. His injury was very severe. The extensor tendon was completely severed and he had 3 inches of exposed bone. Dr. Shelby Krywonos attended the call. She assessed Major, ensured that the wound did not communicate with the joints of the hock or tendon sheath, thoroughly cleaned the wound, ligated vessels, and sutured the wound closed. Major was given a tetanus vaccine booster, pain medication, and broad spectrum antibiotics.
Wounds in this location can be difficult to heal due to a high amount of tension on top of the existing trauma and contamination of the wound.

Major's owner diligently cared for him, changing his bandages and administering medications. It took 2 months to recover but Major healed ❤

Pictured here is the healed wound. If you would like to see the original laceration you can click into the comments but be warned it is a GRAPHIC IMAGE.

08/30/2025

Our office is closed for the Labour Day weekend and will re-open on Tuesday September 2nd at 9:00 AM.

If you have an equine emergency during this time, please call 778-562-5455 and our on-call veterinarian will assist you.

08/29/2025

A great reminder on the importance of caution when using prescription medications like Prevequine, bute, and Banamine!

Here's another post in our series of how you can prevent equine emergencies!

*Overdoses of Bute/Banamine*
Many owners aren’t aware of the potential toxic effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs we commonly use in horses, such as bute, Banamine and Equioxx. While they're readily found in many first aid kits and tack boxes, owners should know that overdoses can have potentially deadly consequences, including severe right dorsal colitis and kidney damage.

If your horse needs one of these drugs, be aware that you should use a limited dose, never more frequently than every 10-12 hours unless on the advice of your vet, and never in combination with other NSAIDs.

These days many horses live on a daily dose of Equioxx, but you should be aware that "stacking" another NSAID like bute, Banamine or ketofen on top of Equioxx can magnify the risk and severity of side effects.

If your horse is colicking or lame and doesn’t respond to your first dose, don’t give more and don’t give another type, without calling your vet to discuss first.

Dehydration and tying up (rhabdomyolysis) can worsen the effects of this drug class and make kidney and GI tract damage more likely and more severe, so be extra cautious in these scenarios.

Remember these are powerful prescription drugs and need to be used with careful consideration for both their benefits and potential negative consequences.