Veterinary Services

10/04/2023

It's the time of year where Perilla Mint is pretty much everywhere.

Perilla mint (Perilla frutescens)—also known as beefsteak plant or Chinese basil—is an annual, broadleaf w**d originally from eastern Asia. Plants commonly reach an average height of 2 ft and can be identified by their coarsely serrated leaf edges, which occur opposite each other along a square stem.

Perilla mint is highly toxic when consumed by cattle, other ruminants, and horses. The entirety of the plant is toxic, with the flowering structures being especially potent. Perilla mint is more likely to be consumed in the fall, because of a seasonal decrease in forage availability.

Perilla ketones are one of several volatile compounds found within the plant that cause atypical interstitial pneumonia (AIP) in cattle and other domestic animals when ingested. Fluid accumulates in the animals’ lungs, causing reduced oxygen levels and shortness of breath.

Since perilla mint is a prolific seed producer, growers are encouraged to be diligent in control practices as plants will likely occur in subsequent years from single populations. When using herbicides for control, be aware of any desirable species that may be nearby, and always read and follow all label recommendations.

09/21/2023

Dr. Liz Steele brings awareness to the equine owner regarding a crisis situation that is about to reach a tipping point.
https://fb.watch/nczDI_NuVv/?mibextid=Nif5oz

08/27/2023

08/14/2023

Pogona is a genus of reptiles containing eight lizard species, which are often known by the common name bearded dragons.

The name "bearded dragon" refers to the underside of the throat (or "beard") of the lizard, which can turn black and puff up for a number of reasons, most often as a result of stress, if they feel threatened, or are trying to entice a mate.

They are a semiarboreal species, spending significant amounts of time on branches, in bushes, and near human habitation. Pogona species bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mornings and afternoons and sleep at night, making them a diurnal species.

Their diet consists primarily of vegetation and some insects. They are found throughout much of Australia and inhabit environments such as deserts, and shrublands.

They've quickly become the most popular reptile to have as a pet and are incredibly easy to care for.

Considering adding one to your family? Give us a call and we will help guide you on your way to having a happy and healthy beardie!

08/12/2023

Some very good tips on adding a new furbaby to your family!

If you're thinking of getting a pet you've never had before, like the now popular bearded dragon, it's a very good idea to make contact with a veterinarian who is familiar with exotics BEFORE getting one. Discuss husbandry and other care with them to ensure your new baby will have everything they need to live a healthy and happy life for many years!

08/12/2023

The correct answer is b., sodium and chloride. They are two components of table salt but neither mineral is naturally abundant in your horse’s usual food sources.

Why should you care? Having a basic understanding of equine nutrition and being able to identify sources of essential vitamins and minerals in a horse’s diet is in the best interest of every horse owner. Dietary deficiencies and excesses can both cause health issues and affect performance, and this becomes even more important for the care and management of horses with disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).

Want to put your knowledge of vitamins and minerals further to the test? Take the rest of the quiz developed by our friendsEquus Magazine —>https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTcxODUxMTk3MDA5ODk2Nzcw/equus-extra-nutrition-.pdf

08/05/2023

Our friends at Columbus Lowndes Humane Society are at Petsmart, today, collecting much needed donations.

Stop by and make a donation from 10-2!
When you do, take a pic, post it, tag us and the shelter and you'll be entered to win a fancy gift basket from yours truly! This basket includes FREE vaccinations for one pet!

07/31/2023

We are in for another hot week!

Please remember to provide shade and cool clean water for outside pets, add salt or electrolytes to your horse's diet to encourage water intake (we do see colic this time of year), and if possible, bring your pets inside.

We're scheduling all appointments early in the day to prevent anyone from over heating in the afternoons as temperatures increase. So, please remember this if you need your pets seen this week.

07/27/2023

In Starkville on this beautiful Thursday, getting to work on all kinds of puppers.
How are you spending your day?

07/25/2023

Clementine is definitely enjoying the cooler evening temps, this Tuesday!
Summer isn't over, so remember to make sure your horses have plenty of cool clean water and salt or electrolytes to encourage water intake. You can also offer treats not only to help cool them off but for enrichment, too!
Clemie loves watermelon, but only the fruit and not the rind, cut in small peices and only in small portions because even though she is at a healthy weight now, with no problems, Itty bitty minis can become chonks quickly and with that comes founder and laminitis.
What are some fun ways you like to keep your horses cool and healthy this time of year?

07/20/2023

No animal is too big or too small, except for snakes, Dr. Weseli sees them all!

07/20/2023

With us being in some of the hottest days of the year, here are some tips to keep your pets safe during the dog days of summer!

* Pets can get dehydrated quickly. Make sure you give them plenty of fresh, clean water. Make sure all outside pets have a nice shady place to get out of the sun. This includes livestock. Be careful not to over-exercise pets, and keep them indoors when it is extremely hot. No horse back riding during peak hours, as they can overheat quickly, too!

* Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart or respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomit along with an elevated body temp of over 104 with 101.8 to 102 being normal.

* Brachycephalic doga, or dogs with flat faces like Pugs or English Bulldogs, are more susceptible to heat stroke since their smoosh faces prevent them from being able to pant effectively. So, keep those piggies inside!

* Don't leave your pets alone in a parked vehicle. Rising temps can cause your air conditioning to falter when idle. Plus, it is illegal in many cities.

* Don't shave your dog. We know this may be tempting, but certain breeds have coats designed to help with airflow. This helps keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Finding a good groomer who is knowledgeable of your breed and can offer options, such as a good bath and a blowout of the undercoat, is VERY important.

* Avoid walks on asphalt and concrete. High temps can cause burns to their pads. To test the temperature of any surface, hold the back of your hand to the pavement for five (5) seconds. If it is in any way uncomfortable for you, it most definitely is for them.

These are just a few ways to ensure the safety of your pets during this time of year. What are some ways you and your pet stay cool and enjoy the summer?

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03/30/2023

Today we traveled with the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society to the community of to provide supplies and free animal care to anyone affected by last week's EF-4 tornado. We will be making another trip next week, if anyone would like to donate, please contact CLHS .

07/30/2022

Our friends at Columbus Lowndes Humane Society are in desperate need of everyone's help! This sweet angel was hit by a car two days ago and has major injuries. They are collecting donations to pay for Lucy-Belle's surgeries, there will be two. You can find the link in the original post below.

06/23/2022

With the extreme temps, here are ways to cool an over heated horse.

The days are getting hotter and making sure your horse stays cool is critical. Our friends at The American Association of Equine Practitioners wrote this article to help horse owners handle the heat. Here are a few tips!

🚰 Hydration: On average, horses need at least 5 gallons of water per day for body maintenance.

🥵 Heat Exhaustion: Body temperatures can quickly rise above 104 degrees Fahrenheit when exercising in heat and humidity, particularly if sweat isn't evaporating.

☀️ Sun Protection: Long-term ultraviolet (UV) rays exposure can predispose horses with pink skin around their eyes to cancer, so get UV-blocking fly masks for these animals.

🛻 Trailering Safety: The energy they expend is almost equal to walking, so an eight-hour trailer ride is an as much work as an eight-hour trail ride.

🤒 Infectious Disease: Many events involve large numbers of stressed horses in small areas and/or the use of common water sources. These are ideal conditions for disease spread.

🩹 First Aid: Maintain a well-stocked first-aid kit in your barn and trailer and a smaller kit to put in your saddle bag for trail rides.

For more tips on keeping your horse comfortable this summer, follow the link to The American Association of Equine Practitioners website: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/summer-horse-health-tips

04/30/2022

Happy World Veterinary Day to our very own Dr. Weseli!

02/16/2022

February is Pet Dental Month, and to celebrate, we are giving our clients 10% off floats! Call our office to schedule your exam and float today!

01/27/2022

Our friends with the have posted great information on hay for your horses.

01/25/2022

Brandy's birthday is coming up and now through February 7, we are collecting items for Columbus Lowndes Humane Society to celebrate her love for all creatures great and small. If you'd like to donate, we can pick up your donation or you can ship it to us at

Veterinary Services
1277 Old West Point Road
Columbus, MS 39701

We also take PayPal, Cashapp, and Venmo! Together, with your help, we can make a difference!

01/18/2022

Do you know of a horse rescue who has their 501(c)(3) and qualifies for thir program? Together with the AAEP, we've been able to offer free core vaccines to rescues around the Golden Triangle and surrounding areas. Deadline for applications is February 1, 2022.

Mission Through the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign, qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities can receive complimentary equine vaccines for horses in their care, protecting the horses’ health and making them more adoptable.

01/15/2022

Our friends at Starkville Police Department Animal Control have some great tips to help prepare for cold weather. Remember, when preparing livestock, it is important to add salt or electrolytes to their diet to encourage water intake. This can prevent colic in horses and other issues in ruminants, as well.

With the upcoming cold weather we have this weekend we just want to remind everyone to keep their pets in mind! We know some pets like the cold but precautions should still be taken to make sure they are comfortable and safe. It’s also a good idea to check for strays trying to keep warm when you go to use your car.

01/12/2022

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic is not a disease; it is merely a symptom of disease. Specifically, colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is — the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:
• alert your veterinarian immediately;
• remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings;
• don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs;
• walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself — but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe;
• keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives.

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start. Consult your horse doctor for more information.

More information about minimizing the incidence and impact of colic is available at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/colic-minimizing-its-incidence-and-impact-your-horse

01/03/2022

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR FREE VACCINES BY FEB. 1!

The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) is a non-profit partnership between Merck Animal Health and the AAEP to safeguard the health and facilitate the adoption of rescue horses. Since its inception in 2008, the UHVRC has provided more than 46,000 doses of core vaccines to protect horses in need!

To learn more and to submit an application through this campaign, visit https://aaep.org/horse-owners/unwanted-horse-veterinary-relief-campaign

Please note that applicants must be a “not-for-profit” 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, and eligible facilities must coordinate the application with an AAEP-member veterinarian.

12/31/2021

Our friends with Starkville Police Department Animal Control and the AVMA have some great tips for a pet friendly New Year's Eve.

While delightful for some, fireworks can be a nuisance for others, and for our pets it can be downright terrifying—even deadly for frightened pets who run away due to the noise. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers the following advice to help you keep your pets calm while fireworks are going off:
Make sure ID is up to date, give them a safe space, replace scary sounds with soothing sounds, occupy pets with new (or favorite old) toys, and of course consult with your veterinarian if the problem becomes insurmountable.
Following these tips will ensure your pets have a safe and happy New Year's Eve.

12/29/2021

Has your horse received its flu shot this season?

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory condition and one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses. Influenza is endemic in the equine population of the United States, which means it's always around.

Like in humans, equine influenza spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing. The severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of existing immunity within the affected individual, among other factors. Any horse showing signs of respiratory disease (cough, nasal discharge, persistent fever) should be isolated immediately until the cause can be determined by your veterinarian. Please note that, while humans cannot contract the disease, they can carry the infection and transmit the virus between horses.

Contact your horse doctor for more information on how to prevent this disease through an appropriate vaccination protocol and biosecurity practices. Learn more about the AAEP's recommendations for vaccination at https://aaep.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines/risk-based-vaccination-guidelines/equine-influenza