Laurel Oak Equine Veterinary Services

01/15/2025

12/31/2024

Happy New Year from Laurel Oak Equine! 🎆🥂

With the closing of 2024, we wanted to make a huge announcement! That Dr. Bakun got married this month 💕 So we would like to newly introduce Dr. Stagner 👩🏻‍⚕️🐴

Dr. Stagner and the Laurel Oak Equine family would like to send out a heart felt thank you to all the amazing clients (old and new) for an amazing year. We hope that everyone, including our four-legged family members, have a safe and joyous holiday! We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us 🎉

12/25/2024

We're wishing everyone a very merry Christmas Day! 🎄🎅🏻

We also extend a very heartfelt thanks to the horse doctors and support veterinary staff who are giving up their family time today to care for horses in need of medical attention.

12/20/2024

Important read! With the fluctuations in temperature we are seeing an increase in colics! A lot of these colics are due to decreased water consumption 💦🐴

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

11/28/2024

We hope everyone has a happy and “filling” Thanksgiving holiday weekend 🦃 🐴

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Today is a time to be present with loved ones and to give thanks for our blessings. We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the plenty of equine veterinarians and veterinary technicians who are giving up their family time today to care for horses in need of medical attention. Thank you for everything you do and for your dedication to the horses that bring us together and give us so much joy!

11/22/2024

Did you know your horse can catch the flu, too?

While there isn’t a specific time of the year for “flu season” in the equine world, any time is good to learn more about this highly contagious respiratory condition—particularly because it’s one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses, and recent years have been unusually active for Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) on a global scale.

EIV spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing, and the severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of existing immunity within the affected individual, among other factors (i.e., correctly vaccinated horses are less affected than unvaccinated horses).
Any horse showing signs of respiratory disease (cough, nasal discharge, persistent fever) should be isolated immediately until your veterinarian can determine the exact cause.

To learn more about Equine Influenza Virus (EIV), visit these resources:
https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-equine-influenza-eiv/
&
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-influenza

As always, your horse doctor remains your best source of information. Contact them to learn more about how to prevent this disease through an appropriate vaccination protocol and biosecurity practices.

11/18/2024

Please don’t always listen to what you see on tv!

💉 Let’s talk about the elephant in the vet clinic. Many of us veterinary medicine professionals were watching the recent Yellowstone
episode that made us cringe because a horse was administered Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) intramuscularly. This isn’t Hollywood. And real complications are a risk.

💊 Banamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. It is available in oral and injectable forms. We would never recommend administering Banamine IM to horses.

🧫 Why don’t we inject Banamine IM?

Banamine causes muscle damage when injected intramuscularly. There are spores of bacteria known as clostridium that can rest in healthy muscle; however, the bacteria may awaken if the muscle becomes damaged from an IM injection particularly when Banamine is administered this way. This may cause Clostridial myositis. This is a serious and sometimes fatal infection.

🐴 What are the signs of a problem?
-Swollen and painful injection site with gas underneath the skin.
-The bacterial toxins may migrate into the bloodstream causing depression, colic, inappetance and fever to name a few.

🩺 What is the treatment?
Aggressive supportive care, antibiotics, and surgical excision/debridement of the infected injected site.

📺 Remember, do NOT believe everything you see on TV. And always consult with your veterinarian prior to administering medications.

And Hollywood if you need to consult on any veterinary medicine related scenes, we are available as long as we get to meet Rip. Yellowstone

11/15/2024

If your horse has a cough that persists into exercise or is heard while your equine friend is at rest in the barn, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about evaluating your horse for respiratory disease. It could be a problem with the upper airway (the nasal passages and throat) or the lower airway (the lungs).

While waiting for your appointment, try decreasing your horse’s exposure to dust, as that is a primary trigger for lower respiratory disease such as asthma or heaves. Some simple things you can do include avoiding straw bedding, feeding hay on the ground and/or soaking it, not using a leaf blower on barn aisles, and not storing hay or bedding above your horse’s stall. Last but not least, while us humans may be more comfortable with all the barn doors closed on a cold day, your horses’ lungs will appreciate open doors/windows and good ventilation!

As always, if you have questions or would like to learn more about preserving your horse’s respiratory health, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day from Laurel Oak Equine 🇺🇸🐎

To our veterans and active-duty military: For your bravery, service and dedication to this country, thank you. We honor you this .

10/10/2024

‼️ Emergency coverage update:

Due to local severe flooding, road closures, and limited cell service - limited emergency services can be provided at this time. If you are currently experiencing an emergency outside of Lakeland or if you are unable to get through to Dr Bakun, referral to a hospital is strongly advised if possible. Please know we are doing the best we can while also remaining safe. Prayers to everyone who is affected by hurricane Milton ♥️

10/09/2024

‼️Laurel Oak Equine will be closed October 9-10 for Hurricane Milton. As safety permits, we will do our best to remain available for emergencies. Please be aware that during peak storm conditions or if significant flooding occurs, a delay in emergency coverage will be present until conditions are safe enough to travel.

During this time we ask for your patience, kindness, and understanding. Dr. Bakun is a solo ambulatory veterinarian with no support staff available during this time. We will do our best to help your horses as long as we can safely do so.

Our thoughts are with all the families and animals in the path of Hurricane Milton ♥️

09/12/2024

Today, we remember those who lost their lives on this tragic day, 23 years ago, and honor those who selflessly served to protect our nation.

#9/11

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day from Laurel Oak Equine!

Caring for our equine friends never takes a day off, even on a holiday.

This , let's take a moment to thank the veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and equine professionals who don't get the day off and are working hard to ensure the wellbeing of our equine companions.

Thank you for all that you do!

09/01/2024

As cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are on the rise, it remains critically important that horse owners take steps to protect their equine friends (and their families) from mosquito bites. If you live in a region where mosquito populations persist well into the fall months, your veterinarian may recommend additional fall booster vaccinations against EEE/WEE and WNV (West Nile Virus).

If you don't know your horse's vaccination history or you are unsure whether they have received a certain vaccine, it's not too late to start from scratch with an initial series of inoculations followed by the appropriate boosters, as recommended by your horse doctor.

So, what is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?

EEE is a severe, viral disease affecting the central nervous system, and is transmitted to equids (and humans) by infected mosquitoes. There is no cure for EEE, and the mortality rate is 75-95% (in horses). Prevention through vaccination is key.

Contact your veterinarian for more information, or learn more about EEE with the following resources:

USDA Equine Arbovirus Dashboard: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/arbovirus-dashboard

Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC): https://www.equinediseasecc.org/eastern-equine-encephalitis

AAEP EEE Guidelines: https://aaep.org/resource/eastern-equine-encephalitis-eee/

08/19/2024

Most equine owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animal across state lines, enter them in a competitive event, or board at someone's barn. But what does the phrase "negative Coggins test" actually mean?

A "Coggins" is a blood test that can only be performed by USDA-approved laboratories and checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the blood. EIA is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that is primarily transmitted by biting flies, particularly horseflies—which means that your animals are at risk even if they never travel or live in a closed herd.

The clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically from an acute infection to an inapparent form, but what is important to know is that it produces a persistent infection. Once an animal tests positive for EIA it becomes a lifelong source of disease transmission, so the owner can only choose between quarantine for life or humane euthanasia to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t occur. There is no vaccine and no treatment for EIA.

Take-home message: While a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, don’t forget that it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to keep the disease under control.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/guidelines-resources/resource-library/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEwR-1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZp1fQwBC7LYpAzA3W2a5XUaYAd6gDO2mEtuHOjAAGJ_f4rvTxFRfg2_Lg_aem_Hacd9FBStUOI0FJdJHLmXA&_search=EIA

08/18/2024

Have you ever been told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up?

This notion is actually a myth, and a dangerous one too, because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.e. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first).

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/.../offering-a-horse-water...

07/04/2024

Happy 4th of July from the Laurel Oak Equine Veterinary Services family ! 🇺🇸 We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe holiday weekend 🎆

Happy 4th of July from the AAEP! 🎆
We're wishing everyone a fun and safe holiday!

07/01/2024

Please have a plan in place! Here are some tips and tricks to help keep your four-legged loved ones 🐎 safe this holiday week and weekend! 🎆