Central Equine Vets

23/01/2025

**NOTICE REGARDING FRIDAY 24th JANUARY**
Please note that for safety reasons due to the impending storm, the Central Equine Vets Practice will be closed tomorrow.

Our vets will be operating an Emergencies Only policy for the day.

For all those clients who had appointments booked for the day, Gemma will be contacting you all first thing to rearrange.

Whilst the Practice itself will be closed, Gemma will be taking calls during usual opening hours on our normal number: 0131 664 5606.

We apologise for any inconvenience - stay safe, everyone!

23/01/2025

Given that we are seeing much higher temperatures during recent winters, we regularly get asked questions about Winter worming. Veterinary practices no longer recommend routinely worming horses, due to the increase of parasite resistance to wormers. There are alternative methods that allow us to provide a more accurate worming regime for our horses and ponies:
- Faecal worm egg count ('FWEC') test completed quarterly (at minimum), in addition to:
- Testing for red worm via a blood test
- Testing for tapeworm via a blood test or saliva test

These tests allow for minimal and effective worming over the winter months, rather than blanket worming, helping to reduce the chance of resistance developing.

ENCYSTED RED WORM
We encourage that worming for encysted red worm should be provided in line with the Risk Table shown in the images.
- Low risk horses should undergo a red worm blood test and treated with Equest (Moxidectin) if required.
- High risk horses should still be wormed with an Equest / Equest Pramox (Moxidectin and Praziquantel).

TAPEWORM
We encourage that worming for Tapeworm should be provided in line with the following:
- Blood sample or saliva test completed
- Wormers administered as follows depending on results:
o Equest (when no tapeworm treatment required)
o Equest Pramox (when tapeworm treatment is required)
Any blood / saliva tests should be completed at least 4 months after the last wormer for Tapeworm was administered.

Please remember that for Winter worming, the time to administer the Equest / Equest Pramox wormers is following a consistent frost. Mid to end of December is generally the recommended time to worm your horse, however if you did not do this, your vet will be able to advise.

👉If you are a member of the Central Equine Vets Competition or Dental Health Plans, remember to get in touch with the Practice, because your wormers are included as part of your plan!

If you have any questions regarding worming, setting up a worming programme or what to do when, please contact the Practice and one of our vets will be able to talk you through the process.

Phone: 0131 664 5606
Email: [email protected]

22/01/2025

BITESIZE SCIENCE with Central Equine Vets!
Vets love a bit of geeky science, but we also like to make sure our clients get the very best out of their veterinary appointments for their equines. Our Bitesize Science explains some of the jargon you might come across when we’re treating your horses, ponies and donkeys.

Remember: never be afraid to ask your vet to explain things to you if you’re feeling a bit blinded by the science - they’ll always be happy to help!

14/01/2025

Well we’re certainly happy to see the ice and snow disappear so now we can feel our fingers!
Send us your best horsey snow, ice and frost photos! 👇📸

24/12/2024

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our customers!

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to caring for your horses, ponies and donkeys in 2025.

19/12/2024

🎅TONIGHT!
Join us for our Christmas Quiz Night (Edinburgh Edition!)
Join Santa and his CEV Elves at the Steading Pub, 118-120 Biggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU for 6.30pm, starting at 6.45pm.

There'll be Mince Pies, Mulled Wine, a TopSpec Christmas Stand, AMAZING prizes, tea and coffee and LOADS of fun. Christmas Jumpers encouraged!

See you there.🎄

18/12/2024

❄FESTIVE OPENING HOURS❄
Monday 23rd December 2024: OPEN AS NORMAL
Tuesday 24th December 2024: OPEN AS NORMAL 8AM - 1PM then EMERGENCIES ONLY 1PM ONWARDS
Wednesday 25th December 2024: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Thursday 26th December 2024: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Friday 27th December 2024: OPEN AS NORMAL
Saturday 28th December 2024: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Sunday 29th December 2024: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Monday 30th December 2024: OPEN AS NORMAL
Tuesday 31st December 2024: OPEN AS NORMAL 8AM - 1PM then EMERGENCIES ONLY 1PM ONWARDS
Wednesday 1st January 2025: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Thursday 2nd January 2025: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Friday 3rd January 2025: OPEN AS NORMAL
Saturday 4th January 2025: CLOSED - Emergencies only
Sunday 5th January 2025: CLOSED - Emergencies only

DON’T FORGET TO…

👉Order / collect medications and repeat prescriptions in advance.

👉Ensure vaccinations due around that time are booked in with plenty notice prior to the Festive period.

👉Book appointments well in advance.

13/12/2024

Well WHAT a fun night we had last night for our Tillicoultry Christmas Quiz Night - thank you to everyone who came along. We have lots of fabulous photos to share, but let’s start with this one of Santa and the Christmas Tree Fairy 🤣🎄🎅🏻

Big thanks to our Practice Manager Gemma Williamson who arranged for all the prizes and put together the beautiful decorative hampers and display. Doesn’t she look good with a magic wand??

11/12/2024

Our Tillicoultry Christmas Quiz Night is tomorrow! (Thursday 12th December)

There’s still time to sign up by emailing us at [email protected].

Join us for a fabulous evening of festive fun, mince pies, mulled wine, TopSpec will have a Christmas stand there, we have LOADS of brilliant prizes to win, including from Likit, Scottish Equine Rehabilitation Centre, Harbro, Horslyx, Boehringer, Woof Wear and TopSpec!

Venue: Hillfoots Rugby Football Club, Tillicoultry
Time: 6.30pm for 6.45pm start

Santa and his Elves look forward to seeing you there!

10/12/2024

🎅EDINBURGH CHRISTMAS QUIZ NIGHT WITH CENTRAL EQUINE VETS
NEXT WEEK!
👉Thursday 19th December 2024, 6.30pm for 6.45pm start.
👉Venue: The Steading, 118-120 Biggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU

- We have quite the evening planned:
- AMAZING prizes to be won, including FESTIVE HAMPERS for 1st - 3rd place.
- The much-contested CEV WOODEN SPOON will be up for the 2024 Challenger!
- Mince Pies, Mulled Wine, Tea & Coffee
- TOPSPEC feeds will be there again, with a CHRISTMAS STAND
- SANTA & THE CEV ELVES will be making a special appearance!
🧠Come & enjoy some festive fun with friends, whilst testing your veterinary, equine & general knowledge!
🎄Christmas Jumpers welcome!
📲These events are OPEN TO ALL - email [email protected] to secure your spot!

09/12/2024

🎄The first of our 2 Christmas Quiz Nights is this Thursday 12th December!

👉Join us at Hillfoots Rugby Football Club, Lower Mill Street, Tillicoultry, FK13 6BP this Thursday evening, 6.30pm for starting at 6.45pm for a fantastic evening of festive fun!

🎅We have quite the evening planned:
- AMAZING prizes to be won, including FESTIVE HAMPERS for 1st - 3rd place.
- The much-contested CEV WOODEN SPOON will be up for the 2024 Challenger!
- Mince Pies, Mulled Wine, Tea & Coffee
- TOPSPEC feeds will be there again, with a CHRISTMAS STAND
- SANTA & THE CEV ELVES will be making a special appearance!
🧠Come & enjoy some festive fun with friends, whilst testing your veterinary, equine & general knowledge!
🎄Christmas Jumpers welcome!
📲These events are OPEN TO ALL - email [email protected] to secure your spot!

06/12/2024

An incredible breakthrough has been made by the teams researching the devastating disease, Equine Grass Sickness.

Experts believe they have identified the neurotoxin that is responsible for a deadly disease in grazing horses, whose cause has eluded vets for more than a century.

A neurotoxin which has similar actions to snake venom toxins, but is produced by microorganisms in pasture, is thought to be the cause of equine grass sickness - according to research involving the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies’ Equine Hospital.

Read more in the article:

Fatal equine disease may be caused by a neurotoxic enzyme with similarities to toxins in snake venoms, offering potential for novel diagnostic tests and treatments.

02/12/2024

Horses are horses, and can be incredibly good at injuring themselves in their fields. Follow these 5 top tips to help reduce field-based injuries and accidents.👇

🚶‍♀️- Ensure you walk your entire field at least once a week to check for broken, loose or trailing fencing that horses can injure themselves on.

👠- Always make finding lost shoes a priority in your field. Split your field into grids and walk through it methodically in your search. Consider investing in a metal-detector. A flung shoe can do a lot of damage to a horse's foot if left.

💥- Understand your herd's dynamics - are the horses in your field always fighting? Are they 'hangry' perhaps? Do they need more ridden exercise? Do they need better enrichment? Is there a new horse in the field that unsettled the herd? Is one of the horses in pain? Look at what's causing the problems and make some management or environment changes.

🚮- Litter-pick your field at least once a week. Look out for things that have blown in to the field, or have been dropped by birds or thrown in by passers-by and remove it. You don't want a case of colic or choke.

🧥- If your horse wears a rug, make sure it's in good repair and the straps and buckles work properly. Ill-fitting rugs, rugs hanging off and straps getting caught are common causes of injuries to horses in fields.

28/11/2024

**NEW WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION PROCESS**
Our Practice Manager Gemma Williamson explains about the new process for Written Prescriptions for horse owners.

If you have any questions or would like to receive this information via email, please contact us via phone in 0131 664 5606 or email [email protected].

22/11/2024

FIRST AID KITS
A first aid kit is always a good idea when you're a horse owner - especially if your horse is one of those that always seem to be up to mischief or injuring itself in the field or stable!

We have several different sized kits available for purchase - give the practice a ring and one of our team will talk you through what's available.

Kits include items such as:

- Stethoscope
- Thermometer (digital easiest to use)
- Chlorhexidine Scrub (commonly known as 'Hibiscrub')
- Bandaging Scissors (for safely cutting bandages on and off the horse)
- Swabs
- Elastoplast
- Vetwrap
- Dressings
- Conforming Bandage..and much more!

Call us on 0131 664 5606 for more information.

20/11/2024

FARRIERY
Hoof growth can vary throughout the year and you should have your horse's feet attended by a farrier every 4 to 6 weeks, however some horses require a more bespoke plan for shoeing or trimming for barefoot.

Over time your farrier will build up a relationship with your horse(s), and he or she will come to know your horse’s podiatry requirements.

There are a number of injuries, illness and challenges, as well as seasonal and medical changes that can cause sudden or gradual changes in your horse's feet and your farrier will be seeing these during their regular visits to shoe or trim your horse's feet.

Laminitis, Solar abscessation (pus in the foot), puncture wounds to the hoof, a bruised sole, corns, thrush, seedy toe and hoof cracks are all conditions that your farrier will be familiar with and your vet can work closely with your farrier in order to work at resolving any of these.

A registered farrier is a highly qualified, skilled metal worker who also must be an expert on the foot structure and lower limb of equines. To become a qualified farrier in the UK takes about four years and involves sitting exams, being continually assessed and serving an apprenticeship.

The craft of farriery is reported to date back to Roman times and today only Registered Farriers, enrolled farriery apprentices, qualified and trainee veterinary surgeons and persons carrying out first aid in an emergency may legally practice farriery.

If you want to find a registered farrier in your area, visit the Farriers Registration Council website and put your postcode in here: https://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/find-a-farrier