Willow Creek Veterinary Service

04/11/2024

Equine Herpes Update.
2 horses have been confirmed positive this week at a single facility in Lorain county.
This farm has been on self quarantine for over a week and now is on official quarantine though the State Vet. The virus has spread through the barn and multiple horses have had fevers but are stable/recovering.

These cases appear again to be isolated and NOT linked to any previous cases. There has been no showing/travel by these horses recently.

There is no NO current need to panic or place blame.

All horses are susceptible to multiple illnesses and we take risks every time we travel or co-mingle horses.
Vaccines help decrease the spread of disease and mitigate but not eliminate the risk.

There are NO other current suspect cases in the local area per the State vet.

03/25/2024

UNDERSTANDING HOOF ABSCESSES
Sooner or later (and especially at this time of year), nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean? The diagram below shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

03/25/2024

03/20/2024

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

03/13/2024

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to face a medical emergency.

On March 20, join AAEP members Drs. Allie Catalino, Racquel Lindroth, and Nikki Scherrer for a one-hour webinar discussing how horse owners can prepare themselves for equine veterinary emergencies. Learn to identify problems requiring immediate attention and take appropriate action while awaiting veterinary care!

Attendance is FREE but registration is required; attendees are also encouraged to submit their questions in advance through the registration form. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event.

Register now at https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7L6QaXs_RI6UymQgAWBuvg #/registration

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

03/07/2024

By Thomas R. Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT

03/01/2024

02/18/2024

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)? You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease, and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

02/18/2024

Do you have a plan for your horse’s unexpected medical expenses? (Read, for example: can you afford colic surgery if it comes to it?)

Whether a horse is purchased for personal or business reasons, horse ownership represents a significant investment of time, money, and resources. While nothing may easy the emotional burden, wise planning can at least help reduce the economic impacts should something happen to your precious companion.

There are many types of coverage available to the horse owner and the conditions can vary widely between companies. Common types of coverage available for horses are listed (but not limited to what you see) in the graphic. Some equine insurers may require an insurance examination certificate signed by a veterinarian before a policy will be issued for a horse, however that does not mean your veterinarian can attest for the insurability of the animal — your veterinarian can only respond to questions of which he or she has direct knowledge, reporting the medical facts to the best of his or her ability.

Regardless of the circumstances, never ask or expect your veterinarian to report a claim to the insurance company or to be an expert with regards to your insurance policy. This is your responsibility as the owner and if you have questions regarding your policy be sure to ask your insurance agent!

02/16/2024

US Equestrian strives to consistently ensure the safety and welfare of both our human and equine athletes. One fundamental aspect of equine safety is microchipping. Microchips in horses allow for immediate onsite verification of horses for the purpose of safeguarding the health of each horse. This i...

02/02/2024

Did you know?

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself. Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/12/2024

Happy New Year!

We would like to take a moment to thank all of our loyal clients and discuss some changes for the new year.

It is with great sadness that we announce the resignation of Dr. Emily Wood effective Jan 31st. She has been with the practice for the past 7 years but she is in need of a break from the rigors of routine veterinary medicine. To say that she will be missed is an understatement but we understand her need to change course. Willow Creek will continue her compassionate care for both her small and large animal clientele.

We are working to get back to full staff but like many businesses feel the burden of being understaffed at times. We will continue to do our absolute best to care for all of our furry friends, both large and small in a timely manner.

The shortage of large animal veterinarians both locally and nationally has been increasing over the last decade and there is no current relief in sight. We ask for your patience as we triage care to ensure that there is a veterinarian willing and able to attend to the true emergencies.

We will continue to see after hours emergencies for current clientele to the absolute best of our ability.

We do encourage our large animal clients to make trailering arrangements ahead of time in case the need ever arises to haul a patient to a hospital; either at Willow Creek or to a full-service facility such as OSU or ESH. Having a back-up plan to get your horse to care benefits everyone.

The local Equine veterinarians are also working together to make sure someone is always available, so there may be times that your Equine Emergency needs to be seen by another practitioner as we try to pool our resources and work together to ensure coverage. We know you will receive top notch care by our Equine veterinary community.

We will continue to work in small animal emergencies during the day and there are several great options for after hours and specialty care in the area. These Include Med-Vet Cleveland or Akron, Metropolitan Akron or Highland Heights, and Animal Care Northview.

Looking forward to a new year with new possibilities and continued veterinary care of your furry family.

Willow Creek Veterinary Services

01/06/2024

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to be confronted with a medical emergency—even during the holidays. Are you prepared to act?

Having a clear emergency action plan will help you stay focused and effective if a crisis strikes. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you prepare for an equine emergency:

1. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours. Ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available for emergencies.

2. Have a plan for transporting the horse is necessary and know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center.

3. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle as well, and be sure to check your supplies periodically and restock as needed. First-aid kits can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like; seek your horse doctor's advice on what to add, especially regarding any drugs that could be included and how they should be administered.

10/22/2023

10/08/2023

04/13/2023

This time of the year sees a lot of traveling horses, either for pleasure or for business/competition. Most horse owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animals across state lines and enter them in a competitive event (or even board at someone's barn); if, however, you’re thinking that your horse does not need an annual Coggins test because it doesn’t travel, you might want to reconsider.

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 horse's blood. EIA is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection—which means that infected horses become a lifelong source of disease transmission, as there is no vaccine and no treatment.

EIA is transmitted by biting flies, particularly horseflies, so your horse is at risk even it never travels or lives in a closed herd. If a horse becomes infected, the clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically, from an acute infection to an inapparent form that presents mild to no symptoms. And once a horse tests positive for EIA, the owner can only choose between quarantine and isolation for the rest of the horse's life or humane euthanasia, to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t take place.

So 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/horsehealth/equine-infectious-anemia

04/13/2023

Open assistant position: Equine and Veterinary experience required. Send resumes to [email protected]

03/04/2023

: There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

02/04/2023

Forage is a vital part of every horse's diet. It can be a bit harder to come by in the winter months, though. Learn some tips from the nutrition experts at Triple Crown Feed about how to extend your hay supply and about forage alternatives during the winter. Read here: bit.ly/horse-hay-supply-and-forage-alternatives

01/31/2023

DID YOU KNOW?

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

01/29/2023

12/24/2022

Queen of the house.😺

12/23/2022

Reindeer 🦌 and horse 🐎 treats complete.🎀

12/23/2022

As severe winter weather marches across the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Sarah Reuss, chair of the AAEP's Horse Owner Education Committee and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice for keeping your horse safe during this extreme weather event.

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 they 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! ❄️🥶❄️

Photo courtesy of Dr. Reuss.

12/23/2022

Winter has arrived❄️❄️❄️

12/23/2022

The reindeer 🦌 flew in for their pre-flight check-up yesterday...they are good to fly👩‍⚕️⭐⚕️🩺

11/02/2022

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). The complete disease factsheet is available on our website here: https://tinyurl.com/5n7enrey
Any horse showing signs of respiratory disease (cough, nasal discharge, persistent fever) should be isolated immediately until your veterinarian can determine the exact cause.

Sounds familiar? That’s right, you might not realize is how much you already understand about how EIV spreads and the power of quarantine and immunization thanks to what we’ve learned from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (More on this is available at The Horse’s website at https://thehorse.com/1108688/a-fresh-look-at-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.

10/31/2022

Why don't chocolate and pets mix? Here are 3 facts for pet owners to know on . You can find other dangerous foods for your pet here: https://bit.ly/2FSTha6

09/28/2022

Today is and this year's theme is "One Health, Zero Death.” Here are some key takeaways from our "Rabies in the US" infographic.

✔️ The total cases in animals decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 by 4.5% - the second straight year cases decreased
🦝 Raccoons were the most frequently reported rabid animal in the US in 2020 for the second straight year
0️⃣ Human cases of rabies in the US in 2020

Remember, the best way to protect your animals from this deadly disease is through vaccination and to keep them away from wildlife that can spread the disease. Learn more at avma.org/Rabies.