Skillman Veterinary Services

12/07/2025

Happy Birthday to our incredible Veterinary Assistant, Erin! ✨🥳🐴

We’re so thankful for your hard work and all you do for Skillman Veterinary Services.

10/07/2025

☀️ Great tips from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

07/07/2025

Skillman Veterinary Services is pleased to offer Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy as part of our regenerative medicine services! 💉🩸

What is PRP? ➡️ It’s an advanced treatment option that uses a concentration of your horse’s own platelets, collected from a small blood sample, to promote healing and reduce inflammation. The platelets release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair in joints, tendons and ligaments.

We typically recommend PRP for: ⬇️
• Horses who have not responded well to intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid injections

• Horses who are at increased risk with steroid use, such as those who are suspected or confirmed PPID (Cushings) positive

• Horses with chronic tendon or ligament injuries requiring regenerative support

If you have a horse dealing with joint discomfort or soft tissue injury, PRP may offer a safe, effective alternative to help support recovery and long-term soundness.

01/07/2025

With the just around the corner, now is a good time to make preparations to keep your horses, farm animals and pets safe during any fireworks that will be happening in your area. 🎆

The graphic below lists some tips to get you started. If your horses are staying out overnight, be sure to check your fencing ahead of time and neutralize any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents and sedatives.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so EVERYONE may have an enjoyable celebration. Happy 4th!

Thank you to our Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

01/07/2025

Just a reminder, we will be closed this Friday.
We hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend! ✨🇺🇸

30/06/2025

𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 ☀️🐴 We're sending June off and galloping into July with a jam-packed newsletter full of helpful summer updates!

You’ll find:
• Sun Safety Tips For Your Horse
• Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
• Prepping For Your Next Vet Visit
• Firework Season Reminders
• Important Vaccine Information

Read our June issue here: https://mailchi.mp/9978489c8ce9/newsletter_skillman_vet-18248924

26/06/2025

The face we make when your mare is officially confirmed pregnant! 🤩 💓

26/06/2025

Here's why early and follow-up pregnancy checks matter! ☝🏼✨🐴

This mare was confirmed pregnant at 16 days post breeding.

When checked again at 25 days for a heartbeat, we discovered she had unfortunately lost the pregnancy. Early embryonic loss in mares (days 16–25) can result from uterine issues, low progesterone, or persistent endometrial cups; embryo defects; or stress, poor nutrition, toxins or twin pregnancies. Diagnosis includes ultrasounds at days 14 and 25, hormone testing and uterine evaluation to assess viability and causes.

In this case, hormone levels and uterine health were normal, and no twin was present. Because we followed up, we were able to re-breed her in the next heat cycle, giving this mare and her owner another shot at a foal born next year!

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

Colic is one of the most common and potentially dangerous issues for horses, and as a horse owner, it's important to know the signs and how to respond. Colic refers to abdominal pain and can be caused by a variety of factors, from diet to stress.

Colic can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Sudden diet changes: Horses have sensitive digestive systems, and drastic changes in their food or feeding routine can trigger colic.

• Inadequate water intake: Dehydration is a big risk factor for colic, so make sure your horse always has access to fresh, clean water.

• Stress: Changes in routine, new environments, or other stressful events can lead to digestive upset.

• Parasites: Heavy worm burdens can block the intestines and lead to colic.

• Poor quality or contaminated hay: Sometimes, moldy or spoiled hay can irritate your horse's digestive tract.

What to watch for: Restlessness or pacing, sweating or trying to roll, looking at their flank, not eating or drinking, pawing, rolling or lying down excessively and abdominal distension or bloating

What to do: If you notice any of these symptoms, don't wait, call us immediately! Colic can worsen quickly, and the sooner we can assess the situation, the better the chances of a successful treatment.

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐭. https://skillmanvet.com/

20/06/2025

Want to keep up with the latest tips, updates and important veterinary news for your horse? Join the Skillman Veterinary Services newsletter list!

By subscribing, you’ll receive:
• Expert advice on equine health and wellness
• Seasonal reminders to help keep your horse at their best
• Exclusive offers and updates from our clinic

Don’t miss out on valuable information that can improve your horse’s care-straight to your inbox. 📬 Sign up today: https://mailchi.mp/f7296d3aecb4/newsletter-sign-up

17/06/2025

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!