Salmon Brook Veterinary Large Animal

06/19/2024

🐴Electrolytes are electrically charged particles of salts dissolved in a liquid and they are very important for various body functions. Electrolytes regulate fluid balance during and after periods of exercise and sweating. Because horses lose a lot of electrolytes through sweat, it is disadvantageous for the horse to only supplement the lost fluid with water. The body can’t make electrolytes itself but must be obtained from nutrition and drinking water.

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

Horses can become dehydrated easily in hot and humid weather. Horses can be supplemented with electrolytes to increase their water consumption.
Research has shown that horses given water with electrolytes 1 hour before exercise can last longer than horses given only water before exercise. Also, a complete recovery of fluid and ion balance takes at least 20 hours, so it’s important to also provide electrolytes after exercise.

Give us a call if you want some advice on how to provide electrolytes to your horse!
📞 (𝟖𝟔𝟎) 𝟔𝟓𝟑- 𝟕𝟐𝟑𝟖

06/12/2024

Is that time of year where bugs are out!

🪰 Ectoparasites such as flies, mosquitos, lice, mites, and ticks are vectors of diseases.

🦟 Also animals get itchy, skin gets irritated, and animals get irritated.

🐴 Biosecurity is the easiest way to prevent contagious ectoparasites infestation and treatment will depend on the ectoparasite and their life cycle.

Though it is very difficult to prevent environmental ectoparasites, there are things that you can do to prevent contagious ectoparasite infestations:
📌Isolate new animals for 3 weeks if possible to prevent contagious ectoparasites (lice, mange)
📌When doing chores go to the isolation area last
📌Check areas on the animal that are more likely to be attacked like the tail, head, sensitive skin around ear, sc***um, or v***a.

The pictures below have some common ectoparasites that we can find in cattle, small ruminants, pigs and horses.

06/10/2024

It is getting hot out there! ☀️
Hot weather and high humidity can cause heat stress on our animals. Heat stress can affect feed and water intake, can affect reproduction, production of milk and can make the animal more susceptible to contract diseases.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause heat stress, dehydration, heatstroke, colic and muscle spasm.

To prevent this:
💧 Make sure that your animal has access to clean water all the time. (Adding electrolytes to the feed can encourage them to drink more water to prevent dehydration)
🌬 Make sure that the area has good ventilation (Having fans at the barn helps!)
🌳 Provide shade

Give us a call if your animal is having increased respiratory rate (faster breathing or panting than normal) or an increased core body temperature (fever).
We have doctors on call 24/7!
☎️ (860) 653-7238

05/31/2024

SBVH is proud to offer mare breeding services with Dr. Prestigiacomo!

We offer reproductive scans, mare breeding soundness examinations, artificial insemination services, and periparturient care for mares and foals.

If you have a mare you would like to breed, or if you are interested in learning more about breeding, feel free to give our office a call. We would love to hear from you!

In the meantime, please enjoy the pictures of beautiful Bella and her baby-to-be!

05/24/2024

Congratulations to Dr. Prestigiacomo on being award the Chapter FFA Degree! Thank you to the Mattabeset FFA Chapter for inviting Dr. Prestigiacomo and Dr. Weber to your banquet. You guys are truly amazing!

05/21/2024

We are in the middle of Equine vaccine season! Here is some information about Equine vaccines!

🐴Core vaccines are those vaccines that are recommended for every patient. Those include:
📌Rabies
📌Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis
📌Tetanus Toxoid
📌West Nile Virus
🐴Risk based vaccines are those vaccines recommended based on risk of exposure or environment. Those include:
📌Flu (Influenza)
📌 Rhinopneumonitis (Herpesvirus)
📌Potomac Horse Fever
📌Strangles
📌Botulism
**The Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis vaccines are repeated at 4 to 6 month intervals (Repeated during the fall or winter)**

Protect your horse today! Give us a call to schedule your appointment!
☎️ (860) 653-7238
Check our website to see what services we offer!
💻 https://salmonbrookvets.com/

04/27/2024

Happy World Veterinary Day! We are incredibly fortunate to be able to celebrate this profession… and to celebrate all of you (both our human clients and animal patients) who make it possible!

04/11/2024

Could your horse have ulcers?! Are they acting agitated as they get back to work this spring? Now is the time to schedule a gastroscope.

For every gastroscope performed, Salmon Brook is offering a 14 day supply of Gastrogard FREE to owners (a $680.00 savings!). If you have multiple horses the limit is Qty 2 of the 14 days supply of Gastrogard.

Take advantage of this opportunity now through May 31st. Gastroscopes can be performed on your farm or in our hospital setting.

Call us to schedule your gastroscope appointment with either Drs. Weber, Prestigiacomo or Kennedy. We look forward to seeing you this spring!

04/02/2024

The Spring Vaccine Season is underway. Our newest addition Dr. Courtney Kennedy is available M-W and is taking new clients and patients. You may even see her and her vet truck at some of the local horse shows. Before becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Kennedy spent many years as an Equine Veterinary Technician as well as a current professor at Post Universary. Call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kennedy, 860-653-7238

03/31/2024

03/19/2024

Ashley has been working at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital for 17 years. She started in the kennel, right out of high school and moved to a part time large animal technician role in 2011. In 2012, Ashley graduated from Northwestern Connecticut Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology and passed her VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam), earning the title of Certified Veterinary Technician. After graduation she started her position as Dr. Weber’s full-time technician. On top of being a large animal technician, Ashley co-chairs Salmon Brook’s Annual Pet Food Drive that is held every December.

Ashley started riding horses at a young age and showed her horse Sabie at hunter/jumper shows until his retirement. On the weekends she can be found in-gating hunter/jumper shows around Connecticut. When she is not at work, she loves to hike with her dogs, garden, and most importantly spend time with her daughter and husband. Ashley looks forward to seeing new and old clients for spring vaccine season.

03/16/2024

Allergy Update:

The most important thing we can do to limit allergic signs is to limit exposure to the offending allergen.

Sometimes, when the allergen is known, this is easy: a simple change in diet (if your horse is allergic to corn, for example) or careful avoidance of certain products (using a different brand of fly spray or a different type of shavings, for example) may be all it takes to eliminate your allergic horse’s signs.

More often, it takes trial and error or allergy testing to figure out what allergens a horse is sensitive to. Salmon Brook offers serum allergy testing through a company called Nextmune. This type of allergy testing involves a blood test, where your horse’s serum will be evaluated for increased levels of antibodies to common allergens.

Stay tuned for more information on some ways to limit your horse’s exposure to common allergens!

03/06/2024

Spring is in the air, and with it… allergies!

The topic of allergies, especially in horses, is very complicated. Horses exhibit allergic disease in a variety of ways, most notably involving the skin and respiratory systems.

Much like people, a horse with allergies may have itchy or watery eyes, hives, itchy skin, hair loss, rashes, or particularly strong local reactions to insect bites. Equine airway disease can also be caused or exacerbated by allergens. Respiratory allergic signs may include exercise intolerance, coughing, nasal discharge, or labored breathing (excessive nostril flare or abdominal effort).

Allergies can be thought of as immune-mediated disease, meaning a horse’s immune system may be overly sensitive or overly reactive to certain allergens. Now through May 15, SBVH will be running an allergy testing special (10% off testing and free shipping). Contact us for more information or to determine if this is right for your horse.

Additionally, stay tuned here on our Facebook to learn more about equine allergies!

03/01/2024

Happy National Pig Day!

Did you know SBVH services porcine patients? This is one of our favorites! His name is Little Pig (though he is not so little anymore). LP is well-loved by Melissa Finn, one of our amazing technicians, and her family!

02/28/2024

T-minus 27 minutes until the Tufts Field Service Zoom talk! Tune in here!

https://tufts.zoom.us/j/98156875646...
Meeting ID: 981 5687 5646
Passcode: 372098

02/28/2024

Today we would like to introduce you to our large animal technician, Cami.

Cami has been working at Salmon Brook for 15 years! She’s worked in almost every department; kennel, both small and large animal reception and now large animal technician. She started at Salmon Brook while she was in high school, as a kennel staff member and continued to work in the kennel throughout her college career. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Veterinary Science, as well as an Associates in Veterinary Technology from Becker College in 2015. Prior to graduation, Cami sat for the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam), which she passed to gain the title of Certified Veterinary Technician. Cami went on to work for a solo practitioner, Dr. Mike Stewart, from 2016-2020, and gained a lot of knowledge there.

She pursued going to welding school in 2020, and needed a part time job while in school. As a result, she rejoined the reception team. She never found her niche in the welding profession, so she stayed at Salmon Brook, eventually moving to full time receptionist. The summer of 2023 is when she moved to full time large animal technician, right where she wants to be! She’s talked to many of you on the phone, and is excited to now put faces with people, and animals after working in the office!

Cami has two dogs that she loves dearly, as well as a lover for all things horses!

02/27/2024

Salmon Brook Vet Hospital proudly invites all interested clients to tune in! This series of three Zoom talks are presented by our colleagues at Tufts Veterinary Field Service and are free of charge, no registration required.

Come join Dr. Rachael Gately, Dr. Alex Uden, and meet one of the new kids on the block, Dr. Julia Berger, for some new topics of discussion and our first ever camelid talk!

Join the Meeting
https://tufts.zoom.us/j/98156875646...
Meeting ID: 981 5687 5646
Passcode: 372098

02/23/2024

Have you ever heard of MagnaWave? MagnaWave is one of many brand names for a type of rehabilitation technology that uses pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) to reduce pain and promote healing. How does it work?

PEMF involves the use of solenoids, which are circular lengths of copper or aluminum wire. Electric current running through the wire generates a magnetic field (throwback to physics class!). This magnetic field can be controlled in terms of strength, depth and frequency to target specific problem areas while the solenoid itself remains gently resting on the skin surface.

It has been shown that the magnetic field directly stimulates healing, increases local blood flow, and stimulates muscle and nerve activity. On a cellular level, PEMF increases cell signaling, stimulates cellular growth and metabolism, and facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste.

Of course, there is much more to learn about the applications and effects of PEMF. It is commonly used in human orthopedics and traumatology, and this is where most of the available data is found. Doctors have begun using PEMF in wound healing, and several oncologic applications for PEMF are currently being studied.
In veterinary species, we recommend MagnaWave for chronic pain patients (including patients suffering from laminitis and arthritis) as well as patients recovering from injuries or other traumatic events. MagnaWave can be safely used on all species (from horses to goats and everything in between), and it does not have to be administered by a veterinarian. Search online or contact us for help finding a certified PEMF practitioner in your area!

This is a photo of one of our patients, Dandelion, receiving her Magnawave treatment.

02/20/2024

Today we would like to introduce you to our large animal technician Aneidys.

Aneidys has a bachelors degree in animal science from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez. She moved to Connecticut two and a half years ago. Since she was little, her passion has been to care for animals. During her career she joined the pre-veterinary association, where she worked with veterinarians, helping rescues for six years. She also spent time volunteering for a horse rescue. On her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, crocheting and going to the beach. Her future goals are to get her veterinary technician certification and continue her education in physical therapy.

02/16/2024

The team at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital proudly promotes our colleagues at Tufts! Please join us via zoom. We hope you all are as excited as we are to hear these dymnamic speakers discuss camelids and small ruminants. All are invited to attend.

Come join Dr. Rachael Gately, Dr. Alex Uden, and meet one of the new kids on the block, Dr. Julia Berger, for some new topics of discussion and our first ever camelid talk!

Join the Meeting
https://tufts.zoom.us/j/98156875646...
Meeting ID: 981 5687 5646
Passcode: 372098

02/16/2024

We are happy to introduce you to our newest large animal veterinarian, Dr. Kennedy.

Dr. Courtney Kennedy was born and raised in Connecticut. She attended veterinary school at St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies and finished her clinical year training at Auburn University in 2023. (Go War Eagle!)
When not working, Dr. Kennedy can be found teaching as an undergraduate associate professor at Post University, spending time with her horses, or enjoying the days with her newly expanded family (son Colton, age 7 months). Dr. Kennedy has been involved in the equestrian community since a young age and can still be seen with her horse, Lion Hearted, showing on the hunter/jumper circuit. She hopes to see many clients, both new and old, at horse shows this year!

02/13/2024

On this snowy day, we hope that everyone is staying safe and warm. Today we would like to highlight Dr. Weber.

Chris Weber grew up on his family’s farm in the Sandhills of Nebraska. As a child he enjoyed helping his father care for the cattle and horses. Following high school, Chris attended the University of Nebraska where he earned a degree in Biology Education and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. His first assignment in the Army was in Fort Rucker, Alabama for Aviation Officers Basic Course and flight school. After flight school he was assigned to the Combined Field Army in Camp Red Cloud, South Korea where his detachment supported LTG William S. Carpenter. His next assignment was at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California where his flight company supported the combat training and visiting dignitaries. Following a brief return to Fort Rucker for more helicopter training, Chris and his wife, Rosemarie, moved to Germany. The three year assignment to Germany was interrupted with two nearly year-long assignments in Bosnia as part of IFOR and then SFOR; helping to keep warring factions separated in the former Yugoslavia. Chris’s last assignment in the Army was at Fort Meade, Maryland where he was an instructor at the Army’s Counter-intelligence School. Following his time in the Army, Chris returned to his first passion of caring for animals. He graduated from Tufts Veterinary School in 2005. He has worked at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital caring for horses and cows as well as other farm animals since graduation. Chris and Rosemarie live in Granby with their three children, Christopher, Benjamin, and Jennifer.

02/09/2024

Today we would like to introduce you to Dr. Prestigiacomo.

Dr. Rachel Prestigiacomo graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. She completed a yearlong internship with the Tufts Veterinary Field Service, where she reveled in ruminant medicine (and was excited about equines too!). She spent a year in research with the University of Massachusetts and started at Salmon Brook in May of 2023. Her special interests include farm animal medicine and periparturient care for all species. Dr. P is looking forward to vaccine season, as she loves meeting new clients and catching up with ones she hasn’t seen in a while!

02/06/2024

A WARM WELCOME from the SBVH Large Animal Team!
We are so excited that you have found us! This page is meant to be a home for anyone with an interest in learning more about large animals and how to care for them. Everyone belongs here- you do not need to be a Salmon Brook client, and you definitely do not need to own a large animal to interact with our page (although the more pictures you see, the more you might be tempted to go out and get yourself a goat or two).
Please visit our page for case discussions, learning opportunities, promotional events and more.
Stay tuned for an introduction to each of our doctors and technicians- more to come in the next few days!

02/06/2024

February Equine Dental Special!

Salmon Brook is offering 20% off on dentals (and sheath cleanings for the boys!) this month. Please call in to schedule, and don’t forget to mention this offer.

Speaking of teeth, did you know that horses’ teeth are described as hyposodont teeth? Because horses evolved to eat very abrasive feed material, their teeth are continually erupting. Below each permanent tooth you can see in your horse’s mouth, there is a large area of reserve crown hidden under the gumline, which pushes up through the gums as the teeth wear.

This reserve crown is not infinite, though, and teeth do begin to “expire” in a horse’s late teens and twenties. This is what your vet is referring to when she talks about the “cupping” that she may notice when examining an older horse’s dentition.