Westhills Equine Veterinary Services

07/11/2025

UPCOMING AUGUST OPU for ICSI 🔬

Dr. Nilson Ribas visited our team earlier this year in March for OPU procedures, and the result? 63 frozen embryos transferred with a 74.6% success rate 🎉

Westhills EVS is very excited to welcome Dr. Nilson Ribas back to our reproduction department the first week of August and offer his service and expertise to our clients. This summer session is a great opportunity to freeze some embryos for use early next season or just get embryos from those difficult mares!

Dr. Ribas has received training at the largest ICSI/Cloning Laboratory in Brazil and over the years has performed hundreds of oocyte aspirations.

🤔 What is OPU?
O**m Pick Up, also known as OPU or Transvaginal Follicle Aspiration, is the process where oocytes (eggs) are aspirated from the mares o***y. OPU is performed from donor mares via ultrasound guided trans-vaginal aspiration under standing sedation. Any oocytes obtained following the procedure are shipped to a lab for oocyte maturation, ICSI and embryo development and can then be transferred into the uterus of a recipient mare or frozen for future use!

🧐Why OPU?
Common utilizations of OPU are in highly infertile mares with persistent problems preventing embryo production, in older mares, and in stallions with limited s***m availability or who are no longer available. It can also be a means to achieve multiple foals from the same mare in the same year, or to preserve breeding genetics for future use when the mare or stallion may not be available.

We are currently booking mares for the first week of August with limited space available. Please contact us as soon as possible if you would like to book in while Dr. Ribas is here, or simpy for more information!

📞: 780-898-9267 | ✉️: [email protected]

07/10/2025

Thank your farrier this week!

We couldn't do it without good farriers, who are an integral part of your horses performance and care team. Special shout out and THANK YOU to our farriers, Andrew of Morrison Farrier Service, who we work closely with for specialized or hospital cases as well as our personal herd, as well as Megan and Kevin who keep our recipient mare herd (and it's not small) in tip top shape!

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It’s ! Let’s take a moment to celebrate and thank our farriers!

Proper foot care is the cornerstone of maintaining a sound horse, and a good farrier is an essential part of your equine's healthcare team, keeping your horse’s feet balanced and well-supported. Farriers and veterinarians often work together for the best interests of the horse, so a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset. Be sure to let your farriers know they are appreciated!

07/10/2025

A little sneak peak to celebrate that Westhills Reproduction is officially operating from its new home 🥹

Still lots of renos underway for the rest of reproduction including the stallion area and foaling barn, as well as our new hospital and appointment facilities, but the end is in sight!! Stay tuned for more sneak peaks of our other departments as well as a grand re-opening/open house event that will be happening later this summer! 🎉

07/09/2025

Thank you! 🙌

07/08/2025

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07/07/2025

EQUITOP PRONUTRIN is a nutraceutical with a unique combination of pectin fibres, lecithin, and glycerol, which work to reinforce the lining of the stomach wall. Presented in a coated pearl granule, it is an excellent choice to support and enhance gastrointestinal care and help prevent stomach ulcers.

Pectin fibres ➡️ to stabilize the protective secretion of mucus.

Lecithin ➡️ To prevent the increase of gastric acid and stabilize the natural balance of the stomach mucus layer.

Glycerol ➡️ To enhance the effects of lecithin.

Until the end of the month, please CONTACT US about a special offer involving Equitop Pronutrin combined with a gastroscope in prevention or diagnosis of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, which effects a suspected 50-90% of horses at any given time!

📞 780-898-9267 | 📩 [email protected]

07/03/2025

Upcoming travel dates for July! 🚑

Designated travel days in your area allow us to see multiple patients in a day which greatly reduces travel costs for you!

Dental care*, castrations*, senior exams, bloodwork, herd health checks, vaccines, eye exams, soundness exams*, & more!

Please contact us for more information or to book in!

📞780-898-9267 | 📩 [email protected]

*Can be facility/weather dependant

07/01/2025

Please be advised the office is closed today for Canada Day. 🇨🇦

We are available 24/7 for equine emergencies at 780-898-9267 if you need us. ☎

Thank you and have a great day! 🍁

06/26/2025

📣 NOTICE - Time to Vaccinate! 🐌

Potomac Horse Fever has become a growing concern among horse owners in our region, especially over the last few years. To ensure that it is an illness that can be fully understood, as it is not super well known among horse owners yet, we like to share our PHF blog post to break down the syndrome that causes signs of colic, fever and diarrhea and can be life threatening.

Because of the seasonal occurrence of PHF, strategic timing of vaccination is important to offer your horse the most protection. In Alberta, that means the ideal time is in late June, in anticipation of increased exposure through the end of July into September.

Read all about it at the link below! ⬇️

Potomac Horse Fever has become a growing concern amoung horse owners in our region, especially over the last few years. To ensure that it is an illness that can be fully understood, we have Dr. Ashley Vanderburgh-Oakley on the blog this month to break down the syndrome that causes signs of colic, fe

06/26/2025

Cutting Horse Breeders - a great incentive!

06/24/2025

🤔🤷🏼‍♀️

Happy first day of summer! ☀️

As the temperatures heat up, unfortunately some of our equine friends struggle to sweat properly in the summer heat, which can put them at an increased risk of heat stress.

Though there is limited evidence in regard to effective treatments for horses diagnosed with anhidrosis (the inability to sweat properly), there are a few therapies that have been proposed to help, including offering horses dark beer!

Overall, watch closely for signs of heat stress if your horse is diagnosed with anhidrosis. During the summer months, monitor your horse's response to the heat and ensure they are sweating an appropriate amount. If you have concerns about your horse's ability to sweat, please contact your veterinarian.

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

06/23/2025

Upcoming Travel Dates! 🚑

Book in when we're out in your area to take advantage of very decreased mileage as we are able to see multiple clients in the area at a time!

THORSBY, WARBURG AND AREA! We have a few last minute spots available this Thursday! Call our office asap to book!

📞 780-898-9267 | 📩 [email protected]