Everyone has really enjoyed getting used to the new computer system installed this week.. 👀🤥
#elfontheshelf #ElfOnTheShelf2024
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common dysrhythmia in horses, affecing the heart’s ability to maintain a regular rhythm. While this may sound alarming, AF doesnt always indicate a severe issue, but can be performance limiting, especially at high intensity. Larger horses, like Cruise, are more prone to developing AF, particularly those in high-intensity disciplines due to their heart size and workload. In some cases a nose bleed is seen during or after exercise. Treatment options include medical therapy with anti-arrhythmic drugs, or electrical cardioversion. Here we can see Cruise receiving a controlled electrical shock directly to his heart to reset the rhythm. Cruise was successfully converted back to normal rhythm and is currently recovering back home. The success in this case was aided by the owner’s quick action in seeknig treatment as quickly as possible once he was diagnosed. As with any condition, if you have any concerns regarding your horse, please get in touch with your vet to book in an assessment. #equinevet #oakhamveterinaryhospital #oakhamequinevets #equineinternalmedicine #tvec #cardioversion
Meet Whenever who is owned by Georgia one of our hardworking yard staff. Whenever incurred an acute injury to his right hind proximal suspensory ligament back in June and after a period of rest has undergone treatment and a 12 week rehab program designed by our sports medicine specialist James. At 20 years old we think Whenever is looking better than ever!
Meet Jake, who at 30 years old has been having a blast in the snow in his field with his friends over the past few days. ❄️
Jake has spent many weeks at our hospital over the years and has become a much loved patient at Oakham vets. Recently vet Scarlett visited Jake for an emergency after his owner called us worried that Jake had become very wobbly and was distressed. Jake had a suspected diagnosis of idiopathic vestibular disease and after a few days of anti-inflammatories and nursing by Rachael he was much improved.
Rachael said that for other people with elderly horses she wanted to give them some hope when faced with these difficult situations:
“From my point of view and the advice I would give people is that it's really important for your vets to know your horse and their owner, as I just keep thinking that if a vet that didn’t know Jake had turned up that morning then they might have said to PTS due to his age - it shows that sometimes if you give them a chance and the proper care and attention then the outcomes can be good.”
It is lovely to see Jake back to his usual lively self, thank you to Rachael for letting us share his story.
#oakhamveterinaryhospital #equinevet #oakhamequinehospital #elderlyhorse #goldenoldies #idiopathicvestibulardisease #funinthesnow
As much as we may enjoy the wonder of fireworks many of our equine friends do not share this enthusiasm. To help owners keep their horses safe we have put together some top tips to help during this firework season.
🎆 Know the dates, times and locations of local fireworks events. This can help you prepare in advance if your horse needs to come in to a stable or move field.
🎆 Keep your horse in a routine. If you’re planning to bring your horse into a stable for fireworks night start bringing them in a few days in advance to prepare them before the fireworks start going off.
🎆 Use distractions. Give your horse plenty of hay to keep them occupied, even if they are in a field. If stabled, put a radio on to mask the noise of the fireworks.
🎆 Check your horse regularly during the evening to make sure they are coping and haven’t incurred any injuries.
🎆 Check your field for any stray fireworks or debris which might have landed in there before turning your horse back out.
🎆 Although the likelihood of a rogue firework causing a stable fire is low, it is every owner’s worst nightmare and being prepared for the event of a stable fire could save lives. Make sure you have fire extinguishers or sand and water nearby in case of a fire around the stables.
We have a calmer supplement available that may help reduce any anxiety your horse may suffer during a fireworks display. We can also provide stronger sedatives should you be concerned that your horse will be very upset by fireworks but please remember this will require a visit by one of our vets to examine the horse before it can be prescribed.
#equinevet #oakhamequinehospital #oakhamequine #oakhamequinevets #fireworks
Why is it so important to treat Equine Cushing’s? If your horse or pony is over 10 years old, head to this Cushing’s disease assessment checklist to find out if they are showing any subtle signs of Cushing's, and if they do, speak to your vet to find out if they are eligible for a FREE* diagnostic test this autumn. Cushing’s Checklist *Free basal ACTH test laboratory fees only.
https://www.careaboutcushings.co.uk/how-to-spot-it
#CareAboutCushings #horsehealth #equinecushings #horsecare #EquineHealth #OakhamVetHospital
Why is it so important to treat Equine Cushings Disease? If your horse or pony is over 10 years old and are showing any subtle signs of Cushing's, speak to your us to find out if they are eligible for a FREE* diagnostic test this autumn. *Free basal ACTH test laboratory fees only. #CareAboutCushings #horsehealth #equinecushings #horsecare #equinehealth
Is physiotherapy something your horse might benefit from? The answer is probably yes! Take a listen to James our resident sports medicine specialist and Jenny our veterinary physiotherapist discussing the benefits of physio, what a physio session should look like and what qualifications to look for when choosing a physiotherapist. Jenny’s clinics now run on select Mondays at the hospital. Give us a call if you wish to discuss a physio session for your horse. Jenny Creak PhysioVet. #oakhamequine #oakhamequinevets #oakhamveterinaryhospital #vetchats #equinephysio #equinephysiotherapist
❄️ Autumn/Winter Horse Nutrition Tips 🐴
Keeping your horses healthy during the colder months is essential. Here are some simple tips to ensure your horse thrives this winter:
🌾 Forage First: Offer good-quality hay to help your horse stay warm and well-fed. More hay = more warmth!
💧 Hydration: Keep water unfrozen and fresh—horses may drink less when it’s cold.
🥕 Hard feed Adjustments: Match the hard feed to their workload & body condition. Consider feeds with more fat for extra energy.
🍏 Body Condition: Regularly check their weight and adjust their feed as needed.
🧂 Minerals & Salt: Ensure they have the right minerals and access to salt.
🏡 Shelter: Make sure they have protection from wind, snow, and rain.
🦷 Dental Care: A healthy mouth means better digestion—get those teeth checked!
🧘♀️ Slow Feeding: Use hay nets or slow feeders to mimic natural grazing.
💪 Stay Active: Regular exercise is key for overall health and the horses mental wellbeing.
Winter wellness starts with proper care—your horses will thank you.
#WinterHorseCare #HorseNutrition #HealthyHorses #EquineWellness #HappyHorses #ColdWeatherCare #OakhamVetHospital #oakhamvets #vetsinrutland
At our hospital, we’re dedicated to providing the best care for your horses. Today, we’d like to share a little bit about a key diagnostic tool used to investigate upper airway abnormalities called overground endoscopy. This video shows footage from a recent case where overground endoscopy allowed us to reach a diagnosis. Listen to the video to find out more about the procedure and what condition this horse has. This month we are running a special offer on overland scopes and performing them at a greatly discounted price of £250 if you are concerned that your horse is making a noise at exercise or suffering from exercise intolerance then give us a ring on 01572 722 647 to chat to one of the team about overland endoscopy. #oakhamveterinaryhospital #equinevet #oakhamequinehospital #overlandendoscopy #equinesportsmedicine #recurrentlaryngealneuropathy
From anxious and aggressive to calm and cooperative! 🐴✨ This horse’s transformation is all thanks to clicker training. By using positive reinforcement, we've helped them build trust with our veterinary team. Patience, persistence, and praise go a long way! 🧡 Vets Hannah and Steffi are now offering clicker training services to our clients—not just for needle-shy horses, but also for things like clipping and farriery. If your horse struggles with any of these, get in touch to learn more about how we can help! 🐎 #EquineCare #oakhamequine #ClickerTraining #HorseHealth #PositiveReinforcement"
Johnny successfully extracted a molar tooth from this elderly patient yesterday! The owner had noticed Chewy was struggling to eat, was dropping food and had also lost some weight during the winter months. On closer inspection by an equine dental technician it was discovered that Chewy had a loose tooth which needed removing, cue Oakham Vets! After some sedation, local anaesthetic and some gentle wiggling, Johnny successfully extracted molar 107! With a short period of recovery in his stable, some pain relief and antibiotics, Chewy was able to go back out into the field with his friends feeling much more comfortable.Providing quality care to our elderly equine patients is always a priority. #EquineDentistry #oakhamvets #equinedentalhealth #OakhamVetHospital
