Equi-Tech Veterinary

12/18/2024

❄️ Tips to Prevent Waterers from Freezing for Horses and Livestock This Winter! 🐴🐮

When temperatures plummet, ensuring your horses and livestock always have access to fresh water is crucial. Here are some tips to keep their water from freezing in cold weather:

1️⃣ Use Heated Water Buckets or Troughs: Invest in heated water buckets or troughs designed for livestock. These are essential for keeping water at a safe, drinkable temperature, even in freezing conditions.
2️⃣ Insulated Waterers: Opt for insulated containers that can help maintain warmth and prevent freezing.
3️⃣ Check for Ice Frequently: During extremely cold weather, check water sources more frequently throughout the day to ensure they’re not frozen and that animals have enough water.
4️⃣ Sheltered Areas: Place waterers in covered areas like barns, sheds, or shelters to protect them from the wind and snow.
5️⃣ Use Tank Heaters or Heat Cables: For larger water tanks, use tank heaters or heat cables to prevent ice buildup and maintain a safe temperature.
6️⃣ Solar-Powered Solutions: Consider solar-powered water heaters for a more energy-efficient, sustainable option to keep water from freezing.

Staying on top of water management is key to your animals’ health during winter months. Share these tips to help fellow farmers and ranchers keep their herds hydrated and safe! 🐴🐮💧

12/17/2024

❄️ Preventing Frostbite in Chickens: Keep Your Flock Safe This Winter! 🐔

Winter can be hard on our feathered friends, especially when temperatures drop. Frostbite is a serious risk for chickens, particularly on combs, wattles, and feet. Here’s how to keep your chickens safe and cozy during the cold months:

1️⃣ Provide Proper Shelter: Ensure their coop is draft-free but well-ventilated. Proper airflow is crucial to avoid moisture buildup, which can lead to frostbite.
2️⃣ Use Deep Bedding: Thick bedding like straw or wood shavings will help insulate the coop and keep them warm.
3️⃣ Limit Exposure to Cold: Avoid letting your chickens outside in extreme cold or wind chill. If they do go out, make sure they have access to shelter to warm up.
4️⃣ Protect Their Comb and Wattles: If your chickens have large combs and wattles, consider using a chicken-safe ointment or petroleum jelly to help protect against frostbite.
5️⃣ Ensure Fresh, Unfrozen Water: Make sure your chickens always have access to clean, unfrozen water. Dehydration can make them more vulnerable to frostbite.
6️⃣ Watch for Signs: Symptoms of frostbite include pale, blackened, or swollen combs and wattles. If you notice these signs, seek veterinary care right away.

Taking a few precautions can keep your chickens healthy and happy all winter long. Share these tips to help fellow chicken keepers! 🐓💙

12/16/2024

Reminder that food and medication orders close for the holidays on Wednesday, December 18th! If you need to order something please email or call the clinic!

12/16/2024

🎄 Tinsel and Pets: A Holiday Hazard to Watch Out For! 🐾

As you deck the halls this holiday season, remember that tinsel can pose a serious risk to your furry friends! While it may look festive, tinsel is highly dangerous if ingested.

Why is tinsel dangerous?
🐕 Cats and dogs are often drawn to its shiny, dangling appearance. If eaten, tinsel can cause severe intestinal blockages, leading to vomiting, loss of appetite, and potentially life-threatening complications.

How to keep your pets safe:
🎄 Skip the tinsel altogether or place it out of reach.
🔒 Secure other decorations to prevent accidental ingestion.
👀 Monitor your pets around the tree and holiday decor.

If you suspect your pet has swallowed tinsel, contact your vet immediately. Wishing you and your pets a safe and joyful holiday season! 🐶🐱❤️

Share this post to help keep pets safe this Christmas! 🎁✨

Pembina Emergency Vet Phone Number: 204-452-9427

12/14/2024

❄️ Frostbite and Your Pet's Paws: What You Need to Know! 🐾

Frostbite is a real danger for pets in the winter, especially for their paws, tails, and ears. When temperatures drop, exposed skin can freeze quickly, leading to pain and tissue damage.

Signs of Frostbite:
⚠️ Pale, gray, or bluish skin on paws or ears
⚠️ Swelling or blisters
⚠️ Skin that feels cold or hard to the touch
⚠️ Pain or sensitivity when touched

How to Prevent Frostbite:
🐕 Limit outdoor time during extreme cold and stick to shorter walks.
👟 Use pet-safe booties to protect your pet’s paws from ice, snow, and salt.
🧽 Always dry their paws thoroughly after coming inside.
🌡️ Keep your pet warm with coats or sweaters, especially for smaller or short-haired breeds.

If you suspect frostbite, bring your pet inside immediately, warm the affected area gently (no hot water or heating pads!), and contact your vet for further care.

Protect those paws and keep your pets safe this winter! Share to spread awareness. ❤️🐾

12/12/2024

🚨 Peppermint Oil and Pets: A Hidden Danger 🚨

Did you know that peppermint oil, while popular for its refreshing scent, can be toxic to pets? 🐾 Many essential oils, including peppermint, contain compounds that are harmful to cats and dogs when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Symptoms of poisoning can include drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and even liver damage in severe cases.

If you use essential oils at home, always keep them out of reach of your pets. Avoid diffusing them in enclosed spaces and never apply them directly to your furry friends. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to peppermint oil, contact your vet immediately.

Stay informed, stay safe, and share this post to spread awareness! 🐶🐱❤️

12/12/2024

🍎 Safe and Cozy Treats for Horses This Canadian Winter! 🐴❄️

Looking to keep your horses warm and happy during the chilly Canadian winter? Try these safe and nutritious treats that can give them an energy boost:

🍏 Apples and Carrots: A classic favorite, but serve them in moderation to avoid too much sugar.
🌾 Warm Beet Pulp or Bran Mash: Soak beet pulp or prepare a warm bran mash (without molasses) for a cozy treat.
🍯 Oats with a Drizzle of Molasses: A small serving can provide extra energy for cold days.
🥶 Homemade Horse Popsicles: Freeze apple slices or carrots in warm water for a fun treat to munch on.
🌾 Alfalfa Cubes: Serve soaked to add warmth and hydration.

Always introduce new treats slowly and in moderation, ensuring they don’t interfere with your horse’s regular diet. Share your favorite winter horse treat ideas in the comments below! 🐾❄️

12/10/2024

Chocolate Toxicity: Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season! 🍫

Did you know that chocolate can be extremely dangerous for your pets? While we enjoy indulging in holiday sweets, it’s important to remember that our furry friends can’t safely enjoy chocolate. Here’s why:

Why Chocolate is Toxic to Pets:

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two substances that dogs, cats, and other pets cannot metabolize efficiently. The amount of theobromine varies by type of chocolate, with dark chocolate and baking chocolate being the most dangerous, followed by milk chocolate.

Signs of Chocolate Toxicity:

If your pet eats chocolate, they may show symptoms such as:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Restlessness or hyperactivity
• Tremors or seizures
• Rapid breathing
• Increased thirst or urination

What to Do if Your Pet Eats Chocolate:

• Stay Calm: Don’t panic! Act quickly, but keep your cool.
• Call Your Vet: Contact your veterinary clinic immediately. They can help determine the severity of the poisoning and advise next steps.
• Monitor Your Pet: Watch for any symptoms and provide your vet with details on what type and how much chocolate your pet ingested.

Preventing Chocolate Toxicity:

• Keep chocolate and baked goods out of your pet’s reach.
• Educate family and friends about the dangers of feeding pets chocolate.
• If you’re hosting holiday parties, make sure guests are aware of this risk as well.

Remember: When it comes to chocolate, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

Let’s keep our pets safe and enjoy the holidays together—without the worry!
🐾

12/07/2024

Beautiful night for a parade! Festival of lights ☃️❄️

12/06/2024

Hello friends! Clinic closes for Christmas and the last day to order food and medication is December 18th, so please get your holiday orders in!

12/02/2024

Hello! Here are our holiday hours. Be merry, stay safe and spread kindness🎄❤️

11/28/2024

📢 Meet Kipper and Sonny – Urgent Foster Homes Needed! 🏡

These two sweet souls are in desperate need of foster homes after the sudden passing of their owner. They’re currently in a boarding facility, but they deserve the comfort and love of a home. Can you help?

💙 Sonny is just 8 months old and would adapt well to any loving home.
💗Kipper is 5 years old and prefers a quiet, country home with no small kids or other pets.

Both are used to country living and would thrive in rural settings. They are absolutely lovely and ready to bring so much joy to the right foster homes.

If you can open your heart and home to Sonny, Kipper, or both, please reach out! Let’s help them transition from this difficult time into a brighter future.

🐾 Please share to spread the word!

If you would like to foster please submit a foster application- https://www.gratefulfriendsanimalrescue.com/foster/info

11/27/2024

It seems that our phone lines are 'mostly' working now. Please let us know if you continue to experience any difficulty hearing us when you call, or if you are having any trouble getting through to us.

Thank you!

11/26/2024

We've had some inquiries from horse owners who have fed their horse(s) carrots that have now been recalled due to E. coli contamination.

🥕Recall information can be found using the link below:

https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/various-brands-organic-carrots-recalled-due-e-coli-o121

🥕If you have any of the recalled carrots in your home, you should dispose of them immediately or return them to the store for a refund. You should also wash your hands and wipe down any surfaces that the carrots may have touched.

🥕If you fed these carrots to your pet(s) including horses, watch for signs of gastro-intestinal illness such as diarrhea and colic.

🥕For those who enjoy feeding horses in your area, this is also a friendly reminder to first ensure that you have permission from a horse owner before feeding their horse(s) food of any kind.

Food contaminated with E. coli O121 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidne...

11/25/2024

‼ We continue to experience problems with our phone lines.

This is a network issue, and they will hopefully have it resolved soon.

Please refrain from phoning for now. Instead, email us at [email protected] for assistance.

We sincerely apologize for this very frustrating inconvenience.

11/21/2024

⏰️ Tic Talk

My first appointment this morning was to see a dog that I ended up diagnosing with clinical Lyme disease. He had been on tick prevention starting in May, but had a lot of ticks on him earlier in the spring, before starting prevention.

He came in this morning, with multiple swollen joints, so painful that he appeared to be 'walking on egg-shells'. He had a fever, and was quite lethargic.
We performed a SNAP test for Lyme, and it was a strong positive, and was also positive for Anaplasma, another bacteria carried by deer ticks, which also causes joint pain.

My second appointment was for a dog who had not been on tick prevention at all this year, and who had had a lot of ticks on him, including engorged deer ticks removed today! The owner brought the ticks in for me to identify.

We did a SNAP test on this dog as well, and it had a positive result for Lyme. Thankfully this dog was not showing clinical signs of Lyme disease.

😬 We've seen more cases of fleas as well this month.

☝️Remember to continue with tick prevention (which also protects against flea infestation) for as long as the temperature is hovering around 0C, even if there is snow on the ground.

11/18/2024

‼ Phones are not working...AGAIN
We are so frustrated by this, and apologize for the inconvenience.

‼Call forward for large animal emergencies may also be affected.
Please email us @ [email protected], and we will get back to you.