Judson Road Animal Clinic

01/21/2025

January 21 is National Squirrel Appreciation Day! 🐿️
It’s a day to celebrate these agile, bushy-tailed acrobats who bring charm to our parks and backyards!

01/21/2025

Longer-lasting flea and tick protection? Yes, please! BRAVECTO® Chews makes it easy with up to 12 weeks* of continuous coverage and fewer doses per year.¹ Ask us about it at your next visit.

01/17/2025

Judson Road Animal Clinic will be celebrating National Pet Dental Month by discounting dental cleanings performed in the month of February.
Please call today to schedule your appointment and take advantage of these limited time savings!

01/15/2025

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SPOT COLIC IN HORSES?

Colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen (belly), which can be caused by a number of different conditions. Less than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse; nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages.

Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways, and usually a horse shows only a few of the signs during an episode of colic. The rule of thumb is — the more obvious the signs of pain, the more serious the problem.

If you suspect the horse is suffering from colic, we suggest that you:

• Alert your veterinarian immediately

• Remove all hay and grain from the horse's surroundings

• Don't medicate without your veterinarian's approval, as pain medications can mask clinical signs

• Walk the horse around if it's continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself — but do not tire the horse with relentless walking and don't approach the animal if it's not safe

• Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives

The key to increasing the chances of a good outcome is to identify the problem early and get your veterinarian involved from the start.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of colic signs. Horses are individuals and may display signs of pain in a variety of ways. Always consult your horse doctor for more information.

01/14/2025

Even your furry friends deserve pearly whites and fresh breath!
February is Dental Month at Judson Road Animal Clinic, and we’re offering $50 off dental cleanings.
Book your appointment early and give your pet the gift of a healthy smile!
📅 Call us today to schedule: 903-663-1111

01/13/2025

Walk Your Pet Month is the perfect reminder to get outside and keep your pet active. Regular walks help with physical and mental health, reducing stress and boosting mood.

01/09/2025

Training your pets isn’t just about teaching them tricks—it’s about building trust, strengthening your bond, and ensuring their safety and happiness.
A little patience today creates a lifetime of love and good behavior tomorrow. 🐾❤️ Start training and watch your connection grow!

January is Train Your Dog Month!

01/08/2025

Anyone who says they love this weather has NEVER owned Livestock!! 🥶
❄️Here is some information regarding our After Hours Equine Emergency Line. ❄️

01/06/2025

Because sometimes, the best therapy is a warm cuddle with your furry best friend on a cold winter day!

Happy Cuddle Day!
Jan 6, 25

Please comment your favorite picture of you and your fur-baby!

01/03/2025

Winter Weather is coming!

FUN FACT FRIDAY!

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/01/2025

Wishing you and your furry family a happy new year!

12/31/2024

As we reflect on this past year, we are so grateful for the opportunity to care for your beloved pets. Thank you for entrusting us with their health and well-being—it’s a privilege to be a part of their lives and yours.

Your loyalty and support mean the world to us, and we are honored to have you as part of our clinic family.

We wish you, your family, and your pets a joyful, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead. May 2025 bring wagging tails, purring cuddles, and endless love.

12/25/2024

On Christmas Eve, the Call Rings True

On Christmas Eve, through frosty air,
A vet prepares with utmost care.
The jingling bells, the snow aglow, But duty calls; it's time to go.

A mare in labor, a foal in strife,
Each moment counts to save a life.
Through silent barns and fields of white, The vet works on through the quiet night.

Though stockings hang by fire's gleam,
The gift they give fulfills a dream-
Of health, of hope, of love so wide, For horse and owner, side by side.

So here's to those who answer the call, On Christmas Eve, they give their all.
Equine guardians, steadfast and true,
The spirit of giving lives in you.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

Copied from another site.

12/24/2024

Our office is open until 12 today!
We will be closed tomorrow!
Normal hours will resume Thursday & Friday!

May your days be filled with joy, your hearts with love, and your homes with laughter.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!!

🎄🐱🐾🐴🎅🏻

12/23/2024

Tis the season for safety! Be mindful of your pet's access to festive holiday decor.

12/23/2024

Don’t forget the water!

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.

12/22/2024

Lets make sure your horses are drinking plenty during the cooler months!