Fredericksburg Equine & Small Animal Veterinary Services

04/03/2024

If emergency services are needed on April 8th, established clients can call or text 830–990–9052 to reach the doctor on-call.

03/27/2024

To apply for the equine veterinary technician position or weekend barn & kennel help position, email [email protected] or call 830-990-9052.

01/13/2024

⚠️Attention Horse Owners⚠️
We all know a BIG change in weather is headed our way! Please see the below recommendations from AAEP about how to best help your equines, especially seniors, to stay healthy and safe and prevent colic.

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

12/08/2023

⛔️Public Service Announcement⛔️
Four horses in Texas have been confirmed positive for equine infectious anemia. All horses should have coggins pulled yearly not just those who travel and are shown. Please see the link below for more details. https://equimanagement.com/news/four-texas-horses-positive-for-eia/?fbclid=IwAR1qeilT_WcFHi9MusFHEHWd4pJuacSphA2Iqho6EyQ8_fk5d3jEO2vDqOE_aem_Aat2x1L5yPQzJdITPSWkcEJ3KtLWE48CBtCpPPbfTkeQZwOP6w0xgphQ-RAV-iFgMKQ

12/08/2023

⛔️Public Service Announcement⛔️
Four horses in Texas have been confirmed positive for equine infectious anemia. All horses should have coggins pulled yearly not just those who travel and are shown. Please see the link below for more details.

Four Quarter Horses in Texas, located in Waller, Montgomery, Denton and El Paso counties, were confirmed positive for EIA and euthanized.

12/06/2023

Did you know that we offer chiropractic services for dogs, cats, and horses? Dr Duarte is currently the only doctor in our area certified in animal chiropractic and is taking on new patients. To celebrate Christmas, from now until January 5, all chiropractic adjustments are $25 off! Call us to set up an appointment and give your pet the gift of an aligned spine!
Phone: 830-990-9052

12/01/2023

🎅Come see us at the Christmas parade! 🎅

Parade starts at 6:30pm and a portion will be televised.

10/06/2023

Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church is hosting an animal blessing this Sunday, October 8th at 4 PM.  The event is open to all pets and their people!

09/22/2023

🍁Happy last Friday before fall! 🍁 Did you know even our miniature friends need yearly dentals? Meet Tater and Tot who got the best care and dentals from Dr. Matt and Victor. We think they look like they had a blast!! Though the sedation may have played a role! Contact us today to schedule your mini’s dental at 830-990-9052.

09/15/2023

🐾 September is Pet Pain Awareness Month! 🐾

Our furry friends can't always express their discomfort, so it's up to us to pay attention. The graphic above shows common symptoms that may indicate your pet is experiencing pain. We have more pain control options than ever before including preventative measures, medications, and even joint injections for both small and large animals. If you suspect your pet is in pain, contact us to make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss options for relief and a happier, healthier life together!

For appointments call: 830-990-9052
Visit us online: www.fredequine.com

09/13/2023

⭐️ Equine Leg Bandages ⭐️
By popular demand, we have made an equine leg bandage video for our clients to refer to when we send home instructions to change a leg bandage. This type of bandage can be used as a support bandage for tendon/ligament injuries or for protection of a wound when used over a wound dressing. This does not replace the need to see your veterinarian for leg injuries.

Click the link below to access the video:
https://youtu.be/Eo8x9sU27GI?feature=shared

Materials used:
Gamgee Cotton Roll or Combi Roll
6” Brown Gauze
4” Vet Wrap
3-4”Elastikon

09/01/2023

🚨🚨Attention FESAVS Family🚨🚨
We will be closed all day on Monday, September 4th in observance of Labor Day. Please get any medications needed for the long weekend before 5pm on Friday, September 1st. We will resume normal operation on Tuesday.

08/30/2023

🐴Case of the week with questions. Answers will be posted in comments tomorrow!🐴

This horse presents for the pictured laceration that occurred a couple days prior.

- Do you think this warrants a vet visit?

- What are your immediate concerns?

- What diagnostics do you think your vet would want to perform?

⭐️Bonus: what limb and joint are we looking at here?

08/25/2023

🎉Happy Fair Parade Day🎉
Just a quick reminder that while our furry friends love to partake in fair festivities with us, we need to make sure they are protected. If you plan to take your pets out with you please be aware of the temperature! The ground is significantly more hot than the air and can quickly burn their feet. We recommend using doggie shoes and make sure they have plenty of water breaks and shade! We hope everyone has a great time at the parade and enjoys this weekend full of fair festivities.

08/03/2023

🚨 Vote here 🚨 ➡️➡️➡️
https://www.facebook.com/100063791850862/posts/731704992299223/?mibextid=cr9u03

07/28/2023

Friday horse trivia time!

These pictures are from a routine annual oral examination that we do on every dental float. Just like your dentist, we examine each tooth, pulp, gumline, cheek tissue, and tongue every year to detect hidden problems and to be proactive in preventing problems. After all, a horse has to chew its food with its constantly erupting teeth to survive and thrive, even in the face of ingesting a variety of foodstuffs and inadvertent pebbles in the Hill Country.

What did Dr. Matt find is going on here?!
Bonus question for those that love to stock up on ethereal bonus points... how many teeth does an adult horse have (no Googling!).

Stay cool out there folks! Ride in the morning and keep electrolytes available with plenty of fresh water for your ponies.

07/27/2023

Ok, horse folks, today's trivia is about the equine eye. Who knows why this eye looks pale blue? Potential causes? And, for a bonus point, what's the green stuff pooled up near the bottom lid. Ready, set, go!

07/24/2023

Looking for something fun for your kids to do in the remaining hot “dog days” of summer?  Enter their masterpieces in our art contest!

06/28/2023

🧨Fourth of July Pet Stress🧨
The Fourth of July is just around the corner! Many cats, dogs, and horses get very stressed and scared by fireworks. If you need medications for your pet, please call us today to get them refilled. Refills do require an exam to be on file within the last year and appointments are filling up. Call us from 8am-5pm M-F at 830-990-9052.

06/01/2023

🚨Rabies Public Service Announcement🚨
We have had a confirmed positive case of rabies in a domestic cat. It is very important to keep your pet’s rabies vaccine up to date. Rabies can manifest in many different ways including: neurologic, stuporous, or aggressive. Call us at 830-990-9052 to schedule your appointment!

05/26/2023

🚨🚨Attention FESAVS Family🚨🚨
We will be closed all day on Monday May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. Please get any medications needed for the weekend today (Friday) before 5pm. We will resume normal operation on Tuesday.

05/17/2023

Laminitis Season Is Upon Us
With the rain we have seen recently, the green grass is quick to follow. While laminitis can occur any time of year, we see so many more cases in the spring, especially in our equines with other diseases such as cushings. The sooner laminitis is recognized and therapy initiated, the better chance there is to minimize permanent change. Please keep a close eye on your equines at home and learn to recognize the signs of laminitis. If you think your horse is experiencing these symptoms, give us a call as soon as possible. We would love to help you.

05/16/2023

This is going to be a big change, especially for those living in more rural areas, but it will help secure the effectiveness of antibiotics for a long time to come. If you do not have a regular veterinarian you use, now is the time to make those relationships before an emergency occurs.

As of June 11, 2023 all medically important antibiotics approved for use in animals (both companion and food-producing) will only be available from a veterinarian or with a prescription. The intent of this legislation is to ensure that these drugs are used under veterinary supervision (appropriate uses, dosages, and duration of treatment) to reduce the chance for development of antimicrobial resistance to these drugs in **both animals and humans.**

To obtain these drugs, you will need a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a licensed veterinarian. In most states, this means that a veterinarian has examined your animal or herd within the past year.

Drug access is just one of MANY reasons to have a valid VCPR. Having a proactive relationship with your veterinarian may reduce the overall need for emergency visits and increase the veterinarian’s ability to treat and prescribe medications for your animal over the phone if/when an in-person visit isn't possible.

We encourage you to establish a good relationship with a veterinarian now, before an emergency occurs or before you need access to drugs that are no longer available over the counter.

05/16/2023

It’s Our Birthday! 🥳 We have been honored to serve our local community for the past six years. We truly believe our clients are what make us a big happy family. We look forward to serving you and your pets for many more years to come ❤️💙

04/17/2023

**HEARTWORM AWARENESS MONTH**
Get a FREE heartworm test when you schedule a proheart12 injection during the month of April.

Does my dog really need heartworm prevention?
YES! See the prevalence map. Heartworms are extremely prevalent in our area and spread by mosquitoes….and let’s be honest, Texas has no shortage of those.

My dog spends most of its time inside, do you really think it needs this?
Again, YES! It only takes 1 infected mosquito to infect your dog. Mosquitos are tiny and can easily make their way inside, or they can bite your pet when they are outside to potty.

I’m worried my dog already has heartworms.
Not all infected dogs show symptoms, but some more advanced cases do. See the list of the more common side effects. If you think your dog has heartworms, schedule an appointment with one of our vets to test your pet and go over treatment options.

How does this all work?
See the heartworm lifecycle photo. The only way to stop this cycle is with heartworm prevention or treatment.

Contact us if you have any additional questions or would like to make an appointment.
830-990-9052

04/09/2023

Happy Easter from our team to you! We hope you enjoy this day celebrating our Lord Jesus rising from the dead! ✝️ We will be open during regular business hours tomorrow.

03/23/2023

Today is national puppy day! We love getting to see and care for everyone’s puppies. Comment your favorite puppy pic of your babies below for everyone to enjoy ❤️ Pictured below is two of Dr Duarte’s puppies, Briles (left) and Presley (right)

03/20/2023

Big thank you to Dogologie for featuring us on their page. Be sure to check out Dogologie for all your pets’ wants and needs and keep it local!!

Be sure to check out Fredericksburg Equine & Small animal veterinary services.

03/07/2023

🐍 Rattlesnakes and Radio 📻
Join us today at 3 pm on KNAF (910 AM radio) as Dr Duarte goes on air to talk about our upcoming rattlesnake clinic and other upcoming things here at Fredericksburg Equine and Small Animal Veterinary Services!
Reminder that our rattlesnake clinic is coming up on April 1st! We still have a few remaining slots, so call and get scheduled. If you have questions, listen in to the broadcast or call/text/message us. We would love to help you!