Riverview Veterinary Service

01/02/2025

Hey there, I hope everyone has been doing well and has had a great holiday season!

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up regarding some dates I will be unavailable. I will be out of town with limited cell service from January 10th-19th.

If you need medication refills, please let me know ASAP so I can get those out to everyone that needs them in time.

If you have an emergency during this time, feel free to call the University of Tennessee Large Animal Hospital or any other large animal veterinarian in your area. At this time, I am recommending having a back up plan due to UT's practice radius not covering all of my clients. Hauling in to UT is always an option, but if you need help finding information for another ambulatory veterinarian in your area, please let me know and I can help find someone.

As always, if you have a non-emergent issue, please shoot me a text or leave me a voicemail and I will respond by no later than the evening of January 20th.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call or text!

Thanks so much!

12/07/2024

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 equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

06/14/2024

"Cool" hot weather tips! ☀️

The notion that a hot, recently exercised horse needs to walk until they are completely cooled off is a myth. A 2020 study found that out of the five methods tested, the quickest way to return to normal body temperature was stationary with continuous tap water application. This doesn't mean that you should abruptly stop exercise—finish your ride or training session with a slow walk to allow your horse's heart rate and breathing to gradually return to normal, but after that your sweaty, hardworking horse should be offered a cool shower and drinking water (small but frequent amounts) without delay.

Overall, enjoy your summer rides but be aware of signs of heat stress in your horse. When heat and humidity soar, even moderate exercise can push your equine friend's body temperature beyond safe limits! Be sure to contact your veterinarian for more information about heat stroke and for recommendations tailored to your horse's individual situation.
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Information brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

04/17/2024

Hey there,

Spring time is in full swing, which means the bugs and flies are out in full force, and can lead to several illnesses and issues. Have some yearly vaccines/coggins that are due or spring herd work to schedule? Need an annual exam or evaluation for another issue with your horses or production animals? Feel free to give us a call at (865)364-9703 to get those scheduled.

If you have/or board at a large equine facility with 15 or more horses, ask about special discounted bulk yearly prices as well, which we have just started offering as of April 1st.

We are also accepting new clients, so feel free to give this post a like/share.

Thanks so much!

04/17/2024

'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.

02/19/2024

Hey there! I hope everyone has been having a great winter and beginning of spring! With spring time quickly approaching, don't forget to schedule you spring work, including but not limited to, cattle herd work, equine vaccines, coggins, dentals, f***l egg counts, or any other veterinary work that you may need.

Feel free to call (865)364-9703 or shoot us a text to get your appointment scheduled.
We are also still taking new clients within the greater Maryville, Loudon, Kingston, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, and Clinton areas, so feel free to give this post a like and a share if you feel so inclined.

Thanks so much and I look forward to seeing everyone and their 4 legged friends!

01/30/2024

Hey there!
With winter weather here and cooler temperatures, it's never a bad idea to be on the lookout for signs of colic.

Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe but it should never be ignored, as many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic, so management practices can play a key role in prevention. And although not every case is avoidable, the guidelines listed in the graphic can help you maximize your horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic.

As always, remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed and other health conditions, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to address any concerns specific to your situation!