Town & Country Veterinary Service

04/03/2024

As we spring into April it is time to show off our April calendar photo! Someone is showing off their pretty smile here! 🐴🤩 Thank you again for all of your wonderful submissions!

03/23/2024

'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.

03/21/2024

Spring Vaccine season is upon us! If you have any questions regarding what vaccines you should give your horse please contact us and we will be more than happy to guide and help you! 🌸🌼🌷🪻

As always you can reach us in the office at 973-335-1234

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!

03/05/2024

It is time to show off our March calendar photo! It looks like someone is ready for Spring and his favorite treats, Peeps!
🐥🐰☀️☀️

02/09/2024

February is Veterinary Dental Health Month. The AAEP recommends yearly examinations for horses between 5 and 20 years of age and twice yearly for all others. Join us in improving your horse's overall welfare by starting with a dental exam, and if need be a floating. Check out the picture below from the AAEP and if your horse is exhibiting any of these signs then maybe it is time for a dental exam!

As always, we are available Monday through Friday in the office from 9AM to 5PM for all of your scheduling needs. Please call 973-335-1234 for your next visit!

02/06/2024

Spring vaccines are quickly approaching, if you have any questions regarding vaccines for your animals please don’t hesitate to contact us!

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)? You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease, and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

02/05/2024

January has come and gone in a blink of an eye! We are going to show-case our winners from our calendar contest for each month that was chosen. Since January came and went without us realizing, we're going to show January and February winners right now. Thank you again for everyone who sumbitted pictures, it was so much fun seeing all of your happy animals!

01/24/2024

Winter isn’t over yet!

If you ever have any questions or concerns we are always available to answer them for you, our office number is 973-335-1234.

01/24/2024

Those frigid temperatures may be gone for now but fun facts to think about when those numbers get low again!

FUN FACT FRIDAY! Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice, good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
•
Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/02/2024

In case of an emergency, do you have a plan? Check out this post from the AAEP that gives some insight on how to prep and plan!

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to be confronted with a medical emergency—even during the holidays. Are you prepared to act?

Having a clear emergency action plan will help you stay focused and effective if a crisis strikes. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you prepare for an equine emergency:

1. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours. Ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available for emergencies.

2. Have a plan for transporting the horse is necessary and know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center.

3. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle as well, and be sure to check your supplies periodically and restock as needed. First-aid kits can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like; seek your horse doctor's advice on what to add, especially regarding any drugs that could be included and how they should be administered.

01/01/2024

All of us at Town and Country would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! As always we thank you for your continued support and loyalty this year. We look forward to sharing this new year with you! Happy 2024! 🎊🎉🎇🎆

12/25/2023

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy, healthy, safe and prosperous holiday season from all of us at Town and Country Veterinary Service! 🎄❄️⛄️🎁

-Dr. & Mrs. Aromando, Dr. Kelson, Cait & Raychel

Our office will be closed today, Monday December 25 and tomorrow Tuesday December 26. The office will reopen on Wednesday December 27. As always we are available for emergencies. If you have an emergency please call 973-335-1236.

12/21/2023

👍🏼👍🏼

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your local veterinarian remains your best source of information!