Tor Equine Veterinary Practice

30/04/2024

The prevalence of gastric ulceration varies with breed, use and level of training. 90-100% of racehorses in full training can have ulcers, with 55% of those out of work affected. 58% of Sports Horses and 36-53% of leisure horses also have EGUS! 😮

The risk factors for gastric squamous ulceration vary but include the following list. The risk factors for glandular ulceration are less well established but probably include all of the same factors which potentially contribute to a physiological stress to the horse. 🐴

▪️A low forage diet
▪️A high concentrate diet – doubles the risk!
▪️Intermittent starvation – greater than 6 hours starvation quadruples the risk!
▪️Water deprivation – triples the risk!
▪️Straw feeding
▪️Concurrent diseases
▪️Hospitalisation or Prolonged stabling
▪️Intense or increased exercise
▪️Regular/ prolonged transport
▪️Management / husbandry changes
▪️Weaning
▪️Stress
▪️Pain
▪️Non-steroidal medication? (Bute) – No increased risk in normal dosing regimes.

Horses kept at pasture, which are only lightly exercised have a low ulcer prevalence (11%) as grazing provides continuous addition of salivary bicarbonate and growth factors that neutralise gastric acid and promote mucosal repair.

📷 This picture nicely shows the thick mucus barrier that protects the stomach from the acid. Often, it is the breakdown in production of these defences that cause glandular ulcers.

26/04/2024

GASTROSCOPY CLINIC: 30.04.24 🐴

We’re committed to providing monthly clinics to support your horses health & wellbeing as we all know gastric ulcers /stomach issues can reap havoc when they are left undetected.

A gastroscope offers an accurate diagnosis to allow us to treat effectively and ease the unpleasant symptoms✨

30.04.2024 - only 3 spaces left! 🩺
Clinic will be offered at a discounted rate of £250 (incl. VAT) which includes sedation and is a HUGE saving of over £110 compared to gastroscopy performed on yard.

Clinic Location:
Beech Trees, Buckland Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 4SA 📍

Please contact us on 01626 819597 to book your appointment.

25/04/2024

What is Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)? 🐴

EGUS was first identified in 1986 and is a term used to describe the ulceration and erosion of the stomach lining in horses. This can involve the lower glandular region of the stomach and the upper squamous region, separated by a distinct border called the “Margo plicatus” or in some cases, ulcers are present in both areas.

Squamous ulcers (80% of all gastric ulceration) occur when the unprotected lining in the top of the stomach has prolonged exposure to stomach acid. There are many causes but one of the most common is increased duration or intensity of exercise causing acid splash.

Glandular ulcers, below the margo plicatus, are less well understood. This area is where stomach acid is normally found and the lining of the stomach should be naturally protected by a thick mucus and bicarbonate in the saliva. It is theorised that there is a breakdown of protective mechanisms due to a decrease in the natural blood supply to the stomach, commonly as a result of stress, some medicines, or possibly a bacteria involvement 🦠

📷 Photo above shows the lighter pink squamous mucosa and the darker pink glandular mucosa

05/04/2024

It’s time to BANISH those winter blues and start looking forward to the season ahead 🤩

This April we are offering a discounted pre-season health check to ensure your horse or pony is fit, healthy and ready for the season ahead.

The offer includes examination of the eyes, heart and lungs. Examination of the limbs with gait assessment in a straight line and on the lunge {if facilities allow} and a blood sample for Biochemistry and Haematology.

ALL this for a total of £150 plus visit fee! *the visit fee can be split if more than one client shares the visit* 🐴

That’s not all.. 😮
ANY vaccination or dental examination carried out at the same time will receive a FURTHER 10% discount!

SAVE ALMOST £70 - BOOK TODAY⬇️
📞 Call us on 01626 819597

T&C:
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or the Equine Health Plan, all additional work charges at normal rates, payment to be made in advance.

16/01/2024

Our lovely vet Beth usually brings her sidekick Posy 🐶 to work with her so we always get excited when we see her pull up but today Beth surprised us with her slightly bigger baby.. introducing Pepsi 🐴

After a quick weigh in, and successful car park inspection Pepsi wrapped up in her travelling rugs and the pair headed off for a fresh winter ride 🥶

When Beth isn’t on the road and carefully treating her Tor Equine patients, you can find her exploring Dartmoor with both Pepsi and Posy in tow✨

10/01/2024

⬆️ This is your vaccination reminder..

They come around SO quick, don’t they?

As they say, time flies when you’re having fun and whilst our system does it’s best to provide timely reminders, it’s always worth a check in your 🐴 passport to avoid any surprises!

If you’re unsure when your horses last vaccination was give us a call on 01626 819597📞

💻 torequinevets.co.uk

31/12/2023

The time has come to announce the FIRST HALF of the Tor Equine breaking news 👀

You didn’t think we’d make you wait until next year, did you? 👇

A HUGE welcome to our newest vet; Chloe! Joining our vet team with a wealth of experience and passion for the Equine world we all know and love✨

Chloe will be joining us as of the 8th January and as of Tuesday her diary is officially OPEN for your routine and emergency care appointments.

Thank you for your continued support, here’s to a bright 2024 all round - Happy NYE🥂 AND more news to follow.. 👀

See you next year! 👋

28/12/2023

Just a reminder of our opening hours between Christmas & New Year✨

Hopefully you won’t need us until the New Year, but if you do - our amazing vet team are on call to handle any emergencies outside of our opening hours ⬆️

📞 01626 819597
💻 torequinevets.co.uk

28/12/2023

Christmas 2023 - completed it! ✅

We hope you’ve all had a magical Christmas with your nearest and dearest and wanted to take the opportunity to shout a HUGE thank you from the roof tops to all of our amazing clients that continue to cheer us on from the sideline✨

This year we’ve had many changes and a complete office shake up to say the least, at times it hasn’t been easy but your patience and support has been amazing and made it all worthwhile.

We are always so overwhelmed by the amount of cards and goodies we receive at Christmas and this year was no exception - THANK YOU!🎁

So here’s a virtual toast 🥂 To all future, new and existing clients.. wishing you all the best for 2024.

We have been working on various secret missions behind the scenes and it’s ALMOST time to share all.. 👀

For now all I can say is our socials have been relatively quiet but that’s about to change so make sure you’re following for all news and updates.

NEED A VET?⬇️
📞 01626 819597

08/12/2023

Something exciting is coming!! (and we don’t mean Christmas….)

25/11/2023

Richard has just spent a very informative few days on the BARTA veterinary responders course at The Horse Trust. The course taught some very useful rescue techniques for trapped animals but also highlighted the role of the vet in ‘multi-agency’ rescues. Hopefully, in the not too distant future the Mare and Foal Sanctuary will be hosting similar BARTA run events providing training for both vets and Fire and Rescue services across the Southwest. This is vital for improving the outcomes when horses get themselves into trouble.

03/11/2023

With fireworks night fast approaching, we all want to keep our horses as safe as possible. Here are some top tips to try and keep our four-legged friends healthy and happy.

• Try and find out when and where any local displays are taking place, check horses more often than usual on nights these are taking place
• If someone else will be keeping an eye on your horses, make sure they have all the contact details they might need in case of an emergency (including the name and phone number of your chosen veterinary practice)
• Keep your horses routine as normal as possible, changing routine might make them more unsettled
• Make sure the area your horse will be during the evenings is as safe and secure as possible
• Playing some soothing classical music for a few days before and during fireworks can help calm horses and disguise some of the bangs
• Consider leaving yard lights on until after any fireworks are finished, so that bright flashes are not so obvious or alarming
• If appropriate, a treat ball or lick might be a good distraction
• Before turning your horse out the next day, it is sensible to check the field for any debris which may have landed in there
• If you are particularly worried about how your horse will cope, contact your vet to discuss possible options
• Keep yourself safe! You won’t be able to help your horse if you get injured, and a panicking horse can cause a lot of damage to a well meaning human!

01/11/2023

This might be of interest to some of you. One of our clients is having an auction and there are hundreds of items up for auction. Have a look and see if there’s anything you could use at your yard.

29/10/2023

A case of the Slobbers….
This is an interesting case of Hypersalivation caused by a mycotoxin, slaframine, produced by a type of fungus growing on clover. After having ruled out an oesophageal obstruction and foreign bodies / trauma in the mouth we finally deduced what was causing the problem. Black patches of mould on large areas of clover confirmed the suspicion. (Pictures in the comments)
Slobbers is a very rare condition and thankfully not usually serious in most cases. Horses will stop showing clinical signs within 1-2 days of being taken away from the affected pasture.
If your horse presents with excessive drooling it’s worth calling the vet as there are some possible causes that can potentially be very serious

21/10/2023

HAPPY NATIONAL APPLE DAY🍎

Horses love to eat apples and they are safe for most horses to eat ✅

But.. that doesn’t mean they can indulge in a whole bag full a day🍏

Is your horse celebrating National Apple Day today?🤩

Tag us in your pics 🐴

10/10/2023

Marty, the newest member of the Tor Equine Team came in to see us today with mum Liv. Cuddles and burps were enjoyed by all!!!

07/10/2023

It’s a well known fact that horses are brilliant at getting themselves into trouble and yesterday Rolo showed us that she is no exception to that rule. Having broken through electric fencing and jumped a hedge she found herself at the bottom of a 6 feet deep drainage ditch with no way of turning around or getting out. Mercifully she was the right way up with no life threatening injuries. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue were quickly on scene and once Richard had been able to give her some sedation she was lifted out of the ditch with a telehandler. Rolo is one very lucky girl and as horse owners we are all very lucky to have the Fire and Rescue services who were utterly phenomenal. Hopefully that’s the last of Rolo’s adventures for a while!

21/08/2023

❤️LOOK WHO IS BACK!!❤️
How excited we are to have two of our faves with us for the next month.
Beth and Jasper are back to help us for the next month while our vets take some well earned time off.
We think they should never have left Devon in the first place! 😁

18/08/2023

Richard took on a different type of patient today… a prickle in a pickle. 🦔🦔

Generally any hedgehog that is out during the day is probably in trouble. They need to be picked up and taken to wildlife rescue centre.
Luckily for us we have ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue & Rehabilitation they are a charity and rely fully on donations if you can help at all please head over to their go fund me page.

https://gofund.me/e3d47b8c

04/08/2023

Our Swiss vet Dana, felt very at home today after coming across some cows on the way to one of her visits. Causing a hold up! 🐄 🐮

31/07/2023

We are regularly reminded what lovely clients we have! Thank you Jennifer Moxom for sorting breakfast with a coffee and a croissant! 😋

28/07/2023

It’s the end of an era at Tor Equine as today was Holly’s last day before she starts her new role as a student small animal nurse. There aren’t many of our clients who haven’t spoken to or been helped by Holly over the years. As Richard’s first ever employee at Tor Equine Holly has been instrumental in shaping the business into what it is now and we are all grateful for her dedication and hard work over the years. And of course, no more Holly means no more Princess Pixie…. 😢
I hope that you will all join us in wishing Holly the best of luck in her new job and show your appreciation for her.
She will be missed x

24/07/2023

INFLUENZA ALERT

Some of you may be aware of an influenza outbreak here in Devon so we thought it would be a good idea to give a little more information about the virus to help owners spot clinical signs early.

Incubation period is between 1-3 days
Clinical signs include a harsh cough, nasal discharge and a temperature (over 38.5 C)
The virus spreads via airborne particles so can cover large distances (potentially up to 1.5km but those horses within 500m are at greatest risk)
Unvaccinated animals are more likely to show heavy clinical signs and shed more of the virus potentially infecting a greater number of other horses.
Vaccinated horses may still get the disease but clinical signs and shedding of the virus will be significantly reduced.
Horses may continue to shed the virus for 12 days despite no longer showing clinical signs
Any horses showing these signs should be isolated and the vet called.
Strict bio security helps to reduce the potential spread by owners.
Vaccinating in the face of an outbreak is not recommended if the disease is already on your yard but horses on nearby yards would benefit from a booster vaccination if it has been more than 6 months since their last vaccination.

If you are worried or want to book your horse in for a vaccination booster please call the office on 01626 819597 or 01392 302102

18/07/2023

We don’t do what we do for thank you’s but we are always so grateful when people surprise us with treats like these 🥰

16/07/2023

On Wednesday we had the pleasure of giving Patrick the community pony his annual vaccine and MOT 🐴 💉 🩺

Patrick is a therapy pony that does lots of great work for our local community. If you want to learn more about what he gets up to, you can follow his adventures through the page below ⬇️ ❤️ ❤️

Patrick has had a full MOT ❤️ thank you Tor Equine Veterinary Practice Patrick was very brave ❤️ ❤️ 🐴 🐴 💉 💉

14/07/2023

Who else is as happy as Richard about all this much-needed rain ☔️ 🌧️
We hope you haven’t got swept away!

We would love to see any pictures of your rainy rides or yard visits 📸 🐴 🌧️ comment below!

30/06/2023

🐶 Last Friday was national, take your dog to work day!! 🐶

We’re a bit late to the party, but that doesn’t matter because everyday is take your dog to work day at Tor!

Here are some pictures of our fabulous team with their canine companions 🥰 as you can see, some take their jobs more seriously than others… 😴

27/06/2023

Regularly we are blown away by how lovely our clients are. A huge thank you to the wonderful Francine for giving Richard three jars of jam (strawberry, Damson and loganberry). What a wonderful gift!!