Midwest Equine at Illinois

11/15/2024

Thank you to Purina and Prairieland Feeds for a great Tuesday night. It was great to see everyone!

Keep an eye out for our next Client Education Meeting 😊

11/12/2024

Today's the day! Come join us at 6pm for a fun and information filled night!

One week until Purina and Prairieland Feeds!

Join us November 12th at 6pm here at our clinic in Farmer City for a fun night! Light dinner and free samples will be provided 😊 RSVP by Friday November 8th to reserve your spot

11/07/2024

What might you and your horse expect during a lameness exam?

11/06/2024

We are incredibly lucky to have the University of Illinois Farrier Service here every Tuesday and Thursday. Farriers and veterinarians under the same roof can help make your horses as comfortable as can be 😊

11/05/2024

One week until Purina and Prairieland Feeds!

Join us November 12th at 6pm here at our clinic in Farmer City for a fun night! Light dinner and free samples will be provided 😊 RSVP by Friday November 8th to reserve your spot

10/31/2024

A great depiction of the changes inside a laminitic hoof

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.

10/28/2024

Thank you to all who joined us for our Client Meeting last weekend!

Next up: Purina!

Join us November 12th at 6pm here at our Farmer City clinic to hear from Dr. Masa Williams, a PhD nutritionist that works for Purina. Dr. Williams will speak about feeding senior horses through the winter and Purina's latest innovation.

Light dinner will be served, so call or email the clinic to reserve your spot by Friday November 8th.

10/19/2024

Come join us this lovely Saturday morning to hear from Dr. Taylor on dental care! Starting around 11 am 😊

10/15/2024

Join us this Saturday to hear from Dr. Taylor!

We are excited to announce our next Client Education Meeting. Please join us for a lovely Saturday morning on October 19th to hear from our very own, Dr. Taylor!

🦷 We will discuss dental work, how routine exams can help your horse maintain a healthy weight, promote overall health, and longevity.

RSVP by calling our clinic at (309) 928-2127, or emailing us at [email protected] by October 14th, so that we have enough food and drinks to go around 🤠

10/14/2024

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

Thank you to all to all the techs we work with for all they do! A special shoutout to Mallory, Midwest Equine's own technician whose dedication and care are appreciated every day.

10/11/2024

Just a reminder that our Client Education Night is next Saturday, October 19th at 11am. Join us at our Farmer City clinic to hear from Dr. Taylor, who will discuss dental work, how routine exams help your horse maintain a healthy weight, promote overall health, and longevity. If you are planning on attending, please give us a call, or email us so that we have enough snacks to go around!

Please take a few minutes to complete our client survey to let us know how we've been doing! Click on the following link, and make sure you select the Midwest Equine location.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

10/08/2024

Myths and facts about Cushing's Disease (PPID)

10/03/2024

A great overview of how to handle a puncture wound. Call your veterinarian immediately if you find a nail or other sharp object embedded in your horse's hoof. DO NOT remove the object on your own so that the path of entry can be visualized on radiographs, which allows your veterinarian to assess which structures may be damaged.

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the number of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

09/27/2024

A great comparison of Cushing's Disease and Metabolic Syndrome!

With each passing year, horses are living longer lives and many survive easily to 25 years of age or older. While this is good news, it also means that we need to be aware of changes that can occur with age in order to preserve the health and quality of life of our equine friends.

For example, Equine Cushing’s disease is one of the most common diseases of horses 15 years of age or older. This syndrome is better defined as Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) because it reflects the location within the brain that is abnormal. Clinical signs are associated with abnormally elevated hormone concentrations in the blood.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is another endocrine disorder that can affect mature horses and shares some of the same clinical signs as PPID. Although the two disorders feature some striking clinical similarities — most notably a predisposition to development of chronic laminitis — the underlying disease biology is quite different in each case. Successful management relies on proper diagnosis by your equine veterinarian first.

Our understanding of both conditions, especially EMS, is incomplete and evolving, but sufficient information is currently available to highlight some important similarities and differences for the interested horse owner. Consult your veterinarian for more information and work with them to develop the best wellness practices to ensure a healthy life for your mature horse.

09/23/2024

We are excited to announce our next Client Education Meeting. Please join us for a lovely Saturday morning on October 19th to hear from our very own, Dr. Taylor!

🦷 We will discuss dental work, how routine exams can help your horse maintain a healthy weight, promote overall health, and longevity.

RSVP by calling our clinic at (309) 928-2127, or emailing us at [email protected] by October 14th, so that we have enough food and drinks to go around 🤠

09/19/2024

A great overview on how to identify, prevent, and treat common causes of lameness in athletic horses by Dr. Annette McCoy. Read more at the link below!

Equine surgeon Dr. Annette McCoy shares her expertise on how to identify, prevent, and treat common causes of lameness in athletic horses.

09/13/2024

"F" IS FOR FRIDAY AND "F" IS FOR FALL-CHECKLIST!

"F" IS FOR FALL-CHECKLIST! 🍂🍁

As the cooler weather moves in, now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

Check out this list of essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do list, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse's blankets repaired and waterproofed, securing and storing hay properly, assessing your shelters for safety and soundness, etc.

Note that your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season, so be sure to consult them and discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation. This is also a great opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise programs as well!

09/04/2024

A great explanation of choke in horses!

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

To learn more about choke, visit: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/response-choke-53083?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD8vFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfE-Zua-igK44im7wrVKxQCC-BpnLCteEuv_kOcOvm_IrRy_GusLbR99tA_aem_vtdTknV2QDBSXk79x9PmjQ