Kentucky Lake Equine Hospital

11/03/2024

KLEH had a confirmed equine west nile virus diagnosis this last week in a horse out of the Graves County, as some might have seen, being this is a recordable disease that is reported to the Kentucky State Veterinary Office. This is Kentucky's 10th confirmed equine west nile case this year. Many times West Nile presents as neurologic symptoms with muscle fasciculations. With treatment, about 1/3 recover, 1/3 recover with some neurologic deficiencies, and 1/3 do not survive.
This is why we carry and encourage CORE EQ INNOVATOR® vaccination, as it protects against Rabies, Tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis.
Give us a call to schedule your horse's vaccination.

10/17/2024

Office Manager/Receptionist

Kentucky Lake Equine Hospital is looking for a self motivated individual for the role of office manager/receptionist. This position is multifaceted in a fast paced environment and takes someone that can handle multiple roles. Veterinary clinic experience and/or being familiar with equine wellness, vaccinations and maintenance would be beneficial. Your responsibilities would include but are not limited to the following:

-Checking clients/patients in and out with a friendly demeanor
-Gathering prescriptions and medications for checkout
-Answering the phone in a timely and pleasant manner
-Trainable to answer equine emergency and/or medically urgent questions via phone, email or text
-Capability to schedule, reschedule and cancel appointments with pertinent information with attention to detail
-Imputing information for lab tests and scheduling shipping pick ups in a time sensitive manner
-Ordering of medications for hospital and for clientele through various companies
-Maintain pricing controls for medications and services through management software
-Maintain inventory controls through management software and real audits
-Maintain drug control logs correctly and up to date
-Schedule reminders for services, vaccinations and medications
-Communicate effectively through texts and email to clients
-Friendly to clientele, staff and drug company representatives
-Able to type and write in an understandable and efficient manner

Benefits offered include competitive pay, individual health insurance, dental, vision, IRA and paid time off.
Must be able to pass pre-employment drug testing and any reoccurring testing deemed necessary.
Please do not reply to ad on Facebook.
Send an email to [email protected] with a resume

09/16/2024

As we care for our patients with routine annual veterinary care this fall, it's a good time to clarify the purpose behind one of the most commonly administered equine lab tests. In Kentucky and surrounding states, it's mandatory to perform an equine infectious anemia (EIA) test, also known as a Coggins test, every year. A negative result is necessary for participating in most horse shows, trail rides, boarding facilities, and other equine gatherings. Typically, results are available within 5 business days for standard tests, so it's wise to check your horse's test status well before any upcoming events.
Equine Infectious Anemia is a viral infection that affects horses and other equids. Unfortunately, there is neither a vaccine nor a cure available for this disease. The virus, known as EIAV, is primarily spread through biting insects like horseflies, which can transfer the virus from one horse to another. Contaminated needles or equipment can also pose a risk. Horses showing symptoms of EIAV can spread the virus, but even asymptomatic carriers can be infectious. Once a horse contracts EIAV, it remains a carrier for life and should either be euthanized or kept isolated from other horses. These horses can also experience disease flare-ups under stress or during physical exertion.
The diagnosis of EIA is made through the Coggins blood test, which identifies antibodies specific to the virus. The test, developed in 1970 by Dr. Leroy Coggins, is why the term “Coggins” is often used interchangeably with EIA. Clinical symptoms can manifest within a few weeks of exposure, but it might take up to 60 days for a positive test result to appear.
Many infected horses, as well as most donkeys and mules, may not show any symptoms. This makes regular testing crucial for managing the virus. Clinical signs of EIA include fever, loss of appetite, severe anemia, sudden death, jaundice, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, swollen limbs, bleeding, red or purple spots on mucous membranes, and blood-stained f***s. Horses showing these symptoms require intensive care to attempt to recover. Once diagnosed, these horses must be kept at least 200 yards away from other equids for their entire lives.
Due to widespread testing and Coggins requirements, EIA has become relatively rare. Effective management practices and annual testing help keep the virus under control. The virus cannot survive in soil or water and is present in the mouths of biting insects for less than four hours. Most common disinfectants, like bleach and alcohol, are effective in destroying the virus.
If you have any questions, or need a Coggins test completed on your horse, please give us a call at 270-527-6655.

09/13/2024

Laminitis: Understanding the Causes will be the subject of this years equine education event and will be October 1st. Please note there is a new location for the meeting this year, as it is not at our facility, but at the new UK Extension Office 2081 Mayfield Hwy, Benton, KY. Please RSVP by calling or texting with the number of people attending to 270-527-6655.

Equine veterinary hospital in western Kentucky offering comprehensive, compassionate care!

08/09/2024

We currently have a position available to join our team at KLEH. We are looking to hire a part time clinic backstage help/stall cleaner that is available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. You get to work around horses every day and help keep a busy two doctor veterinary clinic running smoothly and kept clean. You must be a self motivated, eager person with a smile for the position. Applicants need to be able to lift 60 lbs. DO NOT APPLY VIA FACEBOOK. Please send resumes to [email protected]

07/03/2024

Out of observance of our Great Nation's Independence Day, KLEH will be closed July 4th - July 7th, and will resume normal business hours on Monday July 8th. We will be on call to respond to EQUINE EMERGENCY calls. Please leave a message at the number given on clinic voicemail message or text the main number at 270-527-6655 with emergency issue and contact information. Thank you to all of our terrific clients and we hope you have an enjoyable holiday weekend!

06/04/2024

We currently have 2 positions available to join our team at KLEH. We are looking to hire a part time Technician/Assistant and a part time stall cleaner. You get to work with horses every day and help keep a busy veterinary clinic running smoothly and kept clean. You must be a self motivated, eager person with a smile for either position. Applicants need to be able to lift 60 lbs. DO NOT APPLY VIA FACEBOOK. Please send resumes to [email protected]

05/07/2024

Would you like a pink Stanley? Here is your chance to win one!

05/05/2024

We don't always post as much as we'd like this time of year as it's very busy. However, it's also the time of year at KLEH for foals, and we certainly enjoy them, big or small!
Please share your pictures of your horse babies, as our page followers will surely want to see more!

05/05/2024

Keeping your equine friend healthy at horse shows starts with biosecurity! The Equine Disease Communication Center and US Equestrian have teamed up to create FREE biosecurity how-to videos for horse owners.
Watch to learn:

• Pre-competition prep: Learn essential steps to take before you even leave home.
• Staying safe during the show: Discover practices to protect your horse while competing.
• Post-competition care: Ensure a smooth transition back home.

Plus, get tips on developing an isolation plan!

Click the link to access the videos and safeguard your equine partner: https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Biosecurity-How-To-Videos

05/03/2024

BUG SEASON IS HERE!

Besides being very irritating, it's important to remember that some of these insects can spread infection and disease to your horse (and, in some cases, to you as well). Therefore, a smart strategy is to control the problem before it gets out of hand and minimize populations from the beginning.

The attached infographic contains some suggestions to get you started. Please keep in mind that there are many variations of these suggested programs that will still meet the same goals and follow the same principles.

As always, reach out to your veterinarian for recommendations suitable for your horse’s specific situation!

05/03/2024

04/04/2024

Remember when your parents used to tell you to wait 30 minutes after eating before going for a swim? Unlike us, horses can actually benefit from eating forage before they exercise, as it may help reduce the risk of gastric ulcers.

While a variety of things can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers (medications, diet, stress, etc.), one train of thought is that these areas of irritation result as a consequence of the acid of the stomach splashing against unprotected parts of the stomach lining. When a horse eats forage, the hay can help absorb some of that acid and thus reduce the risk of ulcer formation.

It is important to note that a forage meal (one comprised of hay or grass) provides the most benefit, while eating large volumes of concentrate feeds (such as oats, corn, or other cereal grains) can actually increase the amount of acid within the stomach.

As always, please be sure to consult with your vet regarding further diagnostics and treatments if you have concerns that your horse may have gastric ulcers.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

03/22/2024

'Tis the season to be hairy (horse owners)!

If, however, you notice that your horse is clinging to their winter coat longer than they should, it might be time to give your veterinarian a call — especially if your horse is 15+.

A long haircoat that fails to shed according to normal seasonal patterns is the most classic sign of Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease. This disorder of the pituitary gland results in hormonal imbalances and is one of the most common diseases of middle-aged and geriatric horses.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping horses with PPID live long, happy lives. Without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time and many horses are euthanized as a consequence of laminitis, recurrent foot abscesses or complications related to bacterial infections.

03/20/2024

03/20/2024

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

02/17/2024

This photo is from Monday, of Dr. Abernathy-Young implanting a frozen embryo into a recip mare. The frozen embryo was shipped from another facility and stored in-house until the mare was in the right part of her cycle to receive the embryo. Then it is thawed, put in a straw, and loaded into the gun shown in the picture in her right hand for implantation.
If you have interest in embryo transfers or other reproductive services for your horse, please give us a call or text at 270-527-6655 or you can email [email protected]

02/16/2024

Breeding season has began at KLEH, and this post is 9 days late, as our first Artificial Insemination happened on the 7th of February!
If you have the need for Reproductive Services for your horse, or have questions regarding the process, please give us a call or text at 270-0527-6655 or email [email protected]

01/22/2024

Kentucky Lake Equine Hospital's slogan is "Comprehensive Compassionate Care." To accomplish this, our mission statement is "Provide Excellent Patient Care & Client Communication," with a goal to call every client back to check on cases, have a clean and organized facility/property, and to treat every client with gratitude & respect, and every patient with comprehensive compassionate care.

Kentucky Lake Equine Hospital is the Foremost provider of Comprehensive Compassionate Care of your equine athlete or backyard horse or mule in Western Kentucky. Our Benton, KY location has over 10 yrs experience in reproduction, lameness, dental, chiropractic, acupuncture, preventative, & emergency....

01/19/2024

Equine dentistry is not just about “floating” teeth. Dentistry is a veterinary discipline that, besides treating the mouth and teeth, also includes the associated structures of the head – for instance the sinuses – and the effect of dental diseases on the health of the rest of the body. That is why all horses should have a veterinarian perform an oral and dental examination at least annually (or more frequently based on the needs of the individual horse.) Most veterinarians agree that it is not possible to perform a thorough dental examination and correction without substantial sedation. Whilst the procedures are usually not painful, they can cause many horses to become apprehensive. Modern sedatives are relatively safe and allow the horse to relax so that the work can be done effectively and without stress to the horse.
Many horse owners don't realize that lay floaters, who refer to themselves as "certified" and/or "dentist" are not legally allowed to provide dentistry, as dentistry is specifically stated on Kentucky Veterinary Licenses under the provisions of KRS 321. They also cannot legally administer anesthetics or sedatives. Even though these drugs are much safer these days, they are not without potential adverse reactions. Veterinarians, however, are fully trained in the use of these drugs and can rapidly diagnose and treat adverse outcomes. This is why only veterinarians are legally permitted to administer anesthetics or sedatives. An untrained individual administering sedation has no recourse or resources to fall back on in the event of a drug reaction, and many insurance companies will deny claims when a lay floater is the one who sedated the horse.
We've seen many horses over ground with power tools by lay floaters, inappropriate tooth extractions - leaving tooth roots and draining tracts - and disease processes missed as a result of a horse's mouth not being seen by an Equine Veterinarian. Contact us today to discuss a dental examination for your equine friend, and prevent more painful and costly problems later! We still have a 10% discount is going on through the end of January!

Equine veterinary hospital in western Kentucky offering comprehensive, compassionate care!

10/26/2023

Thank you to everyone who came out on Tuesday the 17th for our Equine Education Event! Also, thank you to our team for getting things ready and making the place look nice for the event. Dr. Abernathy-Young talked about welcoming Dr. O'Bryan to KLEH, regenerative medicine, the importance of using a veterinarian for equine dentistry and interesting cases from the last year. We had a over 100 people in attendance. A special thank you to our Zoetis brand representative, Lauren Cramer, for sponsoring the event! Also, Amy Todd with Patterson for sponsorship and the great help, as well as Dechra, Aurora Pharmaceuticals, Merck, Palatech, Neogen, Zarasyl, and BI . We cannot wait to see everyone back next year!

10/09/2023

Don't forget to RSVP for our equine education event at Kentucky Lake Equine Hospital on October 17th at 6:30pm! Free food, raffle items, and door prizes!
Please RSVP at 270-527-6655