Mobile Horse Doc

11/26/2024

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a progressive dental condition that occurs in some middle-aged and older equines. The disease involves two different cellular processes: 1) resorption/destruction of the tooth by specialized cells (odontoclasts) and 2) a proliferation of irregular cementum (the hard substance on the tooth’s surface that anchors it to the jaw) to try to stabilize the dissolving teeth.
Thoroughbreds and warmbloods over 15 years of age make up about half of the reported cases, but horses from any breed and s*x can be affected.

Subtle changes may include tooth discoloration and inflammation of the gums (which may appear red). Horses may not want to bite down on carrots or other treats, and may have difficulty grazing.

Horses with advanced disease may have difficulty chewing, frequent tooth fractures (incisors and/or canines), and painful, swollen gums. Ulcerations and draining tracts may appear around affected teeth. The base of affected, resorbed teeth may appear bulbous due to the buildup of cementum. Affected horses may exhibit difficulties chewing, bad breath, drooling, head shaking, quidding, and weight loss.

In this particular horse, we ended up having to take all incisors. Even though this may seem extreme, it has improved this horse's quality of life ten-fold!!

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

To learn more: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/equine-odontoclastic-tooth-resorption-and-hypercementosis-eotrh

Info: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/equine-odontoclastic-tooth-resorption-and-hypercementosis-eotrh

11/19/2024

We performed a tooth root extraction done via a dental punch and stainless steel mallet. We start by making an incision above where the root is and "chisel" through the skull into the sinus cavity. "Once the sinus is open, a dental punch is positioned over the root of the affected tooth. X-rays are used to identify proper positioning prior to repelling the tooth with a stainless mallet. The gum is elevated away from the affected tooth, and the tooth is extracted. After removing the tooth, a final x-ray is taken to ensure that no fragments were left behind. The empty socket is then cleaned of debris and flushed with an antibiotic flush. The alveolar socket is then packed with a dental impression material to allow the bone to heal and fill in. Eventually the dental packing is pushed out with healing tissue and in the end the gums heal over the void where the tooth once was."

Information from: Mid Rivers Equine Center- Equine Tooth Extractions

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

11/02/2024

Daylight Savings ends tomorrow! Don't forget to set your clocks back 1 hour! ⏰🐴

10/31/2024

10/26/2024

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!🫏

10/25/2024

What is EPM?
-EPM stands for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis. It is a disease of the central nervous system an brain.

How is it transmitted?
-The "parasitic organism requires both a definitive host, known to be the opossum, and an intermediate host, identified as skunks, raccoons, armadillos, cats and, unexpectedly, sea otters. As the definitive host, the opossum acquires the parasite from an intermediate host, then sheds an infective form of the parasite, known as a sporocyst, in its f***s. Horses are exposed to the infective organism by ingesting traces of opossum f***s by way of contaminated feed, hay or water."

How to avoid opossum contamination?
1. Keep feed and supplements in sealed containers
2. Cover hay as much as possible
3. Regularly clean your horses water trough
4. Avoid feeding on the ground
5. Manage the opossum population on your property

What are signs of EPM?
1. Stiff or stilted movements, abnormal gait
2. Incoordination and weakness, which worsens when going up or down slopes or when the head is elevated
3. Muscle atrophy, most noticeable along the topline or in the large muscles but can sometimes involve the muscles of the face or front limbs
4. Paralysis of muscles, of the eyes, face or mouth, evident by drooping eyes, ears or lips
5. Difficulty swallowing
6. Seizures or collapse
7. Abnormal sweating
8. Loss of sensation along the face, neck or body
9. Head tilt with poor balance; the horse may assume a splay-footed stance or lean against stall walls for support

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

Info Reference: https://www.platinumperformance.com/articles/epm-evolution.html

10/18/2024

Red flags to lookout for in your retired horse 🚩🚩🚩

"Watch retired horses for all types of changes, including weight, body condition, muscle mass, skin, hooves, appetite, chewing, movement, ability to get up and down, time spent standing versus lying down, closeness with other horses, and hierarchy rank" -Patricia Harris, VetMB, Dipl. ECVCN, MRCVS

Be "especially on the lookout for weight loss -- which could indicate pain, dental problems, or endocrine disorders, among other issues...lameness or behavioral changes such as fewer social interactions." - Rick van Proosdij, DVM

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

10/17/2024

Good info, catered to the horse owner.

On Oct. 30, join AAEP member veterinarian and board-certified theriogenologist Dr. Dale Kelley for a one-hour webinar discussion that will cover the basics of reproductive biology of the horse, the logistics of breeding season, and what to expect when breeding your mare.

Registration is FREE but 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 here: https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CHkvKjmpTlGOiPMbwhEtBA #/registration

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

10/16/2024

As we celebrate National Veterinary Technician week, I would like to say how incredibly proud and grateful I am to work with this excellent team of women, including 3 veterinary technicians (Debbie, Tori, and Ashley)! Thank you to my entire staff for all your help, support, and hard work!

10/16/2024

Tummy troubles are one of our most frequent emergencies!!

Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored, as many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic, so management practices can play a key role in prevention. And although not every case is avoidable, the guidelines listed in the graphic can help you maximize your horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic.

As always, remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed and other health conditions, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to address any concerns specific to your situation!

10/11/2024

Do you know what plants are toxic to your horses? There are plenty of everyday plants that you would never even think about! Below are a couple of examples:

Red Maple Trees- Ingestion of fresh, growing red maple leaves seems to do little or no harm, but when the leaves wilt they become extremely toxic to horses. Access to wilted leaves is most common after storms, which may cause branches to fall into pastures, or in the autumn when the leaves fall and are blown into grazing areas. The toxins in wilted red maple leaves cause the red blood cells to break down so that the blood can no longer carry oxygen; the kidneys, liver and other organs may also be damaged. As little as a pound or two of leaves can be fatal.

Johnson Grass/Sudan Grass- The leaves and stems of johnsongrass and Sudan grass contain a cyanide compound, which when metabolized inhibits the body’s ability to absorb oxygen, in effect suffocating the animal; young shoots of johnsongrass contain the highest concentration of the toxin.

Tansy Ragwort- Levels of toxicity vary among different members of the species, but all are thought to contain at least some concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which inhibit cell division, especially in the liver. Damage to the liver is cumulative and irreversible, and most horses succumb to chronic exposure over time, after consuming between 50 and 150 pounds, in total.

Hemlock- Hemlock leaves, stems and seeds contain several potent neurotoxins that affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Four to five pounds is a lethal dose for a horse. Most animals will avoid the plant.

Reference: Equus Magazine-10 Most Poisonous Plants for Horses
For more info: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/10-most-poisonous-plants-for-horses-8208

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

10/04/2024

Mobile Horse Doc is here to help your horses maintain a heathy smile with regular dentals and advanced equine dentistry! If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

09/20/2024

If you think your horse is colicking, here is a list of things you should do to help:
• Call your veterinarian.
• Remove all food from the horse.
• Water should be left with the horse unless there is excessive drinking.
• Keep the horse in an area where it can be watched.
• Allow the horse to rest or walk the animal if it is continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself.
• Continue observation to look for new symptoms.

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

Info from- Merck Manual: Colic in Horses

09/17/2024

Anyone in Tulsa or surrounding areas have a farm apartment or caretaker house for rent? Our veterinarian, Dr. Quinby, is about to embark on her home building adventure and is looking for a rental during the construction process. Has one very well-behaved dog and one equally well-behaved husband 😁. Please let us know! Thanks!

09/13/2024

If you think your horse is colicking, here is a list of things you should do to help:
• Call your veterinarian.
• Remove all food from the horse.
• Water should be left with the horse unless there is excessive drinking.
• Keep the horse in an area where it can be watched.
• Allow the horse to rest or walk the animal if it is continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself.
• Continue observation to look for new symptoms.

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

09/06/2024

If you would like to make an appointment with us, have any questions or concerns, please call or text (918) 549-0333. Thank you!

09/04/2024

Our nemesis in equine medicine….the dreaded proud flesh!

UNDERSTANDING PROUD FLESH ✍️

Wounds on the bodies and limbs of our equine companions are exceptionally common. In particular, wounds on lower limbs can be especially difficult to manage. There is little extra skin in these areas, making large wounds difficult to close via suturing.

In addition, wounds on the lower legs are contaminated easily with bacteria since they are closer to the ground, bedding, and manure. The constant movement of an animal's legs as it walks, turns, and bears weight can also greatly impair healing, especially if the wound occurs over a joint. All of these factors can often halt the normal progression of the healing process and result in a chronic wound.

Persistent inflammation, along with infection, is a major contributor to exuberant granulation tissue (or proud flesh) formation in a wound. Proud flesh is not conducive to wound healing as it prevents the wound from epithelializing (the process of the skin cells covering the wound), and sometimes it can become so large that it appears to be a tumor, usually obliterating the original wound.

Prevention of proud flesh involves good wound management. For the best healing, wounds should be identified and treated quickly and properly — especially on the lower limbs. Consult your veterinarian about any wounds that appear deep or extensive, that lie over important structures (like joints and tendons), or that already show signs of proud flesh development. Rather than waste time and money in trials and errors that could delay your equid's healing, ask your veterinarian what products are best for your situation.