Buckeye Veterinary Service

11/20/2024

Check out our November Newsletter! Here are some alternative treat ideas... as always if your horse has diet restrictions, please check what they can have before feeding!

Looking for treat ideas for your horse? Check out these options.

10/25/2024

Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.

Why could this be?

• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.

• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.

• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.

If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your horse may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your horse's unique situation.

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

10/23/2024

Phones are working!! Thank you everyone for your patience.

10/22/2024

Our phone system is once again down, but our office is open. However, our after hours answering service is helping us out during business hours, and is able to take your calls. Please do not hang up when you get the recording. They will take your message or transfer you to our office.
Thank you for your patience. Many tech services are working on the issue to hopefully have an answer for us soon.

10/11/2024

Some good info on hoof abscesses!

WHAT CAUSES HOOF ABSCESSES?

Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean?

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great. (The diagram shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help visualize the structures involved in this process.)

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

09/25/2024

Our signups for Client Appreciation Night are FULL!! If you have signed up, we are excited to see you tonight at 6pm!!

09/12/2024

Is it an eclipse? No! We're dazzled by the CLIENT APPRECIATION NIGHT!!! Wednesday Sept 25th at 6:00PM!! Call in soon to get a seat for a great dinner (porkchops are back!), fellowship, and a presentation on the dreaded HERPES virus, by Dr Kerby Weaver from Boehringer Ingelheim. All FREE! Call now! (440)834-8821

09/06/2024

Attention!!! Client Appreciation Night is BACK!!
Call to reserve spot. Can't wait to see you all!

08/29/2024

Good morning!
Just a reminder that we will be closed on Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day. Have a fun, safe weekend!🦅

08/23/2024

Have you been thinking about stocking up on hay for the winter? Here is some helpful information if you feed off of round bales.

As fall draws closer, many horse owners are busy securing their fall and winter hay supply. If you are considering purchasing round bales for your equine companions—due to their cost-effectiveness and greater convenience for feeding pastured animals— remember that there are a few things to consider when choosing between square or round bales.

• Are you equipped/prepared to store your hay correctly?
Improperly stored round bales can lose much of their nutritional value and are also more susceptible to mold, dust, and bacteria growth, which can cause respiratory issues and even colic.

• Are your horses protected from botulism?
Round bales provide an optimum environment for the development of the botulism toxin. This toxin is produced when "Clostridium botulinum" is exposed to the right environmental conditions — such as when forage materials are baled and stored while still damp, or when they include the carcasses of dead animals, like birds and mice.

Prevention of this disease through vaccination is critical, especially in areas where the condition is prevalent (such as Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee).

• Are round bales a good choice for your horse?
Horses prone to respiratory conditions usually have increased problems with round bales due to their higher dust content.

• Do you have a feeder to place your round bales in?
Round bales not placed in a feeder can create more waste, which means your horses may not be meeting their nutritional requirements.

• Can you secure high-quality round bales?
Not all hay is created equal. Be sure to choose high-quality hay to meet your horse's nutritional needs and minimize the risk of impaction colic, which increases with lower-quality, less digestible forage.

As always, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information and advice—consult your horse doctor on best practices when feeding hay this fall and winter!

For more information on botulism, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/guidelines-resources/resource-library/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEwcuRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHV5P3MHpvOoAOGsW2VwZTo-v_0pkILq8xN-reSg_yb3W01gGW_lfk0Nrnw_aem_Pp0WTnTG0S7pEH-BcTMV1g&_search=botulism

08/08/2024

Good morning!
We are still without power and the office will be closed again today. As usual, our emergency services are still running.

08/07/2024

Our office is closed today due to power loss from the storm. Our emergency service are still running.

07/17/2024

We’re sorry if our email replies are a little slow lately… our new hire likes to snooze on the job. Meet Finch, the newest office assistant 🧡

07/12/2024

We had some big visitors in the office yesterday! 🐴

07/03/2024

Friendly reminder that we will be closed tomorrow July 4th, through Sunday July 7th. In case of emergencies, please call 440-834-8821. As usual, we will have a doctor on call through the weekend.

Be safe, and enjoy your holiday!

06/29/2024

It's almost time for Fourth of July - meaning its almost time for fireworks. Horses and fireworks are never a great combination. Here are some tips to keeping your equine friends safe and calm(er) next week.

💥 All the hay! Load them up with extra hay (in slow feed bags if possible) to keep them busy.
💥Turn on a radio to help drown out some of the noise. If using fans to help, make sure they are enclosed motor fans.
💥If your horses will be outside and cannot come in, braid a tag with your name and phone number into their mane or tail. That way if they somehow get out, they will be easily identifiable.
💥For horses living outside, do a perimeter walk to make sure your fencing is secure.
💥If your horse does panic, it is best to leave them in the stall. Do not risk both of you getting hurt (and possible the horse getting loose) by attempting to go in.
💥Ear plugs may be a good choice for the particularly sensitive ones - just don’t forget to take them out!
💥If you think your horse will struggle with the fireworks, make a plan with your vet to have pharmaceutical help beforehand. It is never a bad idea to do a trial run a few days before you know fireworks will be going off.
💥The morning after fireworks, check fields for any stray pieces of fireworks that could injure your horse or any other wildlife.

06/15/2024

Temperatures are rising!☀️☀️☀️

This is your reminder to make sure that your horse is staying hydrated! Here are some tips to keep your horse healthy in these upcoming hot months:

• WATER! Horses always need free access to clean water. On average, a horse will drink 5-10 gallons of water per day. It is good to know a baseline for what is “normal” for your horse. That way, you will be able to notice if their intake has changed.

• Limit exercise in excessive temperatures. Make sure to take frequent breaks. If possible, ride in the early morning or evenings when it will be cooler. Horses tolerate heat differently depending on age, fitness level, and overall health. Make sure to monitor your horses breathing to avoid overheating! A good hose off when they are sweaty is always helpful.

• Salt and Electrolytes are a great way to entice your horse to drink more. If you put electrolytes in their water, always make sure to offer a bucket of plain water as well.

• Good ventilation is key to keeping your horse cool. If you are trailering, make sure all windows are open to maximize airflow. If you choose to use fans in your barn, make sure the motor is enclosed and any dust or cobwebs are cleaned off regularly.

• Horses with pink skin would benefit from wearing sun protection - fly masks that cover the nose and eyes, and even fly sheets if they are sensitive and are going to be out during the day. You could even put a bit of sunscreen on their noses, but avoid the eyes.

As always, while monitoring your horses, don't forget to also keep yourself watered!

06/11/2024

The AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) recently published updated internal parasite control guidelines. Find them below!

https://aaep.org/post/aaep-publishes-updated-internal-parasite-control-guidelines/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3VgXhSYM4CHeG8EkXEIr7VYTsSBm_ppPQLpOqau3swTDx_9gbLFBpEJvc_aem_AfzVcUpA_Lkquoi8QQhT4k6UUJw1If0Bz_B_xWNPbF15HjIxoUiEjt4utbo1qO0KhvUO5ZPo80MeuiLnCL_jSsqt

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has issued revised Internal Parasite Control Guidelines to help minimize the risk of parasitic disease and maintain the effectiveness of current drugs for as long as possible by delaying further development of anthelmintic resistance. The guide...