Lake Erie Equine

01/25/2025

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have started my veterinary career at Grand Prix Equine. The core values I learned there have deeply shaped Lake Erie Equine and continue to guide my practice today. My goal is to make a lasting impact on the equine veterinary field, just as those before me have. I can’t imagine doing anything else, and I hope to inspire others to follow this path as well.

01/23/2025

🎉 Hooray! 🎉

Who would’ve thought 7 hours without texting would feel so long? 😅 Thanks for your patience and understanding while we were offline. We’re back up and running, and ready to send and receive text messages again! 📲

Let us know if you need anything!

01/23/2025

Update: It is all sorted out. We are once again able to send and receive messages! 🎉

We have lost our ability to send and receive text messages at this time. We are currently dealing with an influx of emergencies and have not had a chance to trouble shoot. If you need to reach us please call!

01/23/2025

We’re excited to announce that our new phone system is almost up and running! During this transition, please be aware that we may be without texting capabilities from Thursday afternoon through the weekend.

As always, if you have an emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our service.

PS: Nellie doesn’t actually have a cell phone, but if she did, we’re pretty sure this is what she’d be saying!

01/22/2025

As the temperatures drop, the single most important thing you can do for your horses is to ensure they have access to unfrozen water and plenty of hay. Like many of you, I spent the morning thawing water buckets and hauling hot water. In these cold conditions, simply breaking the ice isn’t enough—it can cause the buckets to refreeze even faster and more solid.

Take the extra steps to keep water flowing and provide ample forage to help your horses stay hydrated, warm, and healthy through the winter months. Stay safe out there!

01/21/2025

Updates:

❄️ We’re still working despite the weather! We’re bundled up and making sure to keep appointments in non-heated barns short to ensure the safety and comfort of all.

📞 Phone system update: We’ve encountered a small hiccup setting up our new phone system, but it should be live in the next few days. Thanks for your patience!

📅 Winter procedure scheduling: We are keeping a list of horses that need procedures that can’t be performed in freezing temperatures. Rest assured, we’ll get everyone scheduled as soon as the weather warms up.

🌸 Spring is almost here! Wellness appointments and pre-season Performance Evaluations are now booking into March, but we still have some availability in February. Don’t hesitate to reach out to get your horse scheduled!

01/20/2025

At Lake Erie Equine, one of the most common injuries we see are eyelid and nostril lacerations, often caused by horses getting caught on bucket hooks, carabiners, or double-ended snaps. These types of injuries can happen quickly and unexpectedly, leading to pain for your horse and costly vet bills for you. Prevention is always the best medicine. Simple upgrades like using locking carabiners and safety bucket hooks can help prevent these accidents and keep your horse safe. A small investment in safety today can save you time, stress, and expenses down the road. 🐴

01/18/2025

Horse Health Tip 🌡️

Checking your horse’s temperature is simple! Here’s how:

• Use a clean, lubricated digital thermometer
• Gently insert it into the re**um and hold until it beeps
• A normal temperature is less than 101.5 F

Regular checks can help spot health issues early!

01/18/2025

Horses don’t always make the best choices, especially in stressful situations. After being involved in numerous trailer accidents, one thing stands out: leg protection saves lives. It’s a small step that can make all the difference when things go wrong. Don’t underestimate the power of prevention.

01/16/2025

On cold days, we hold cats during Performance Evaluations. Dr. Kate is embracing her inner crazy cat lady with her new friend Elsa. 🐎❄️🐈‍⬛

01/15/2025

Colic can be a terrifying experience for both horses and their owners, but having the right knowledge and approach can make a huge difference. In addition to the following guidelines, I’d like to add a few crucial points to keep in mind:

1. Take a Temperature Before Administering Banamine: If you choose to give Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine), it’s essential to take the horse’s temperature first.

2. Consult Your Veterinarian if Unsure: If you are unsure whether you should administer Banamine, always consult your veterinarian first. They can help guide you based on the specific situation.

3. Never Administer Multiple Doses Without Veterinary Approval: It’s critical to never give multiple doses of Banamine unless specifically instructed to do so.

4. Do Not Administer Mineral Oil Orally Via Syringe: Mineral oil can be dangerous when administered orally via syringe. It’s not an effective treatment for colic and could have serious consequences if given improperly.

5. Stop Feeding Horses Not Producing Manure: If your horse is not producing manure, do not continue feeding them. A lack of manure production can indicate a serious issue with gut motility or an intestinal obstruction.

Remember, when in doubt, always reach out to a veterinarian. Colic is a medical emergency, and prompt action can save lives.

01/14/2025

As we face these record-low temperatures today, it’s a good reminder that keeping your horse hydrated is key to preventing colic. Encourage them to drink water regularly—especially in the cold weather. ❄️

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.

01/12/2025

We will be working on our phone systems this week. While we don’t anticipate any issues, there’s always a chance something might come up. In case you’re unable to reach us by phone, please know we’ll be monitoring our emails extra closely and will respond as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make sure everything is running smoothly.

01/11/2025

As many of you know, we are proud to be named Lake Erie Equine due to our close proximity to the lake. Tonight, we are experiencing heavy snowfall and dangerous driving conditions. Unfortunately, we had to turn around on our way to an emergency call from an hour south of us after narrowly avoiding an accident.

At this time, Route 2 is not visible, and road conditions are rapidly deteriorating. To ensure our safety, we will be triaging calls over the phone and focusing on the most urgent emergencies.

We appreciate your understanding during this challenging weather event and ask for your patience as we work to provide care under these difficult circumstances. Thank you for your support and stay safe.

01/08/2025

This handy infograph breaks down the different types of equine insurance available. Many people aren’t fully sure of what their policy covers, and that can lead to confusion when it’s needed most. The best time to review your coverage is before you need it! Take a moment to check your policy and make sure you’re fully protected.

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!

01/04/2025

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent us beautiful Christmas cards this year! While the season may have passed, your kind wishes continue to brighten our days. We truly appreciate the thoughtful messages and warm holiday cheer. Wishing all of you a wonderful New Year filled with health, happiness, and many more blessings.

01/03/2025

Lake Erie Equine will be closed on January 8th and 9th for Dr. Kate to attend continuing education. We will still be available for emergencies, as Dr. Kate will be attending virtually to remain accessible. Thank you for your understanding!

01/02/2025

Lake Erie Equine provides emergency services to Full Service Patients. To qualify, your horse must have had a Wellness Exam and at least a Rabies Vaccine within the past year.

In case of an emergency, please call and leave a message. You are welcome to send a text in addition to calling, but please note that texting is not a reliable form of communication for urgent matters. If you don’t receive a response within 15 minutes, please call again and leave another message.

Thank you for your cooperation!