Orlando Equine Veterinary Care, Inc.

06/27/2025

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As a large portion of the country continues to experience extreme heat, it's imperative that horse owners do their due diligence to keep their horses safe and healthy during heat waves.

One of the side effects of the heat for some horses is the inability to sweat properly. This condition, called anhidrosis, is potentially dangerous for horses because it compromises their ability to thermoregulate even in weather that doesn’t seem that hot, and therefore puts them at higher risk of heat stress.

Anhidrosis is not fully understood yet; it is widespread in the hot and humid regions of the southeastern United States and the Gulf states, but it is also widely reported elsewhere during the summer and particularly during heat waves. If your horse has a high respiratory rate and does not seem to tolerate turnout on hot days, be sure to discuss it with your veterinarian.

Remember that administering unnecessary medications without consulting your horse doctor first could do more harm than good, as it puts your equine friend at risk of developing harmful side effects!

06/24/2025

🤩🤩🤩🤩Client spotlight🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

06/19/2025

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!

06/02/2025

In this episode, Dr. Travis Tull discusses cervical nerve root compression in horses and a surgical technique for treating it.

05/30/2025

Ace being a good boy for his laser treatment right before the rain this morning. Thank you Orlando Equine Veterinary Care, Inc.!

05/21/2025

Welcome Amelia Sauls to our OEVC team!!! Amelia just finished veterinary technician school to become certified!! We are so lucky to have her!

05/09/2025

04/23/2025

April showers bring…

…the increased risk of your horse developing a skin condition like rain rot, a contagious bacterial skin disease (often mistaken for a fungal condition) called dermatophilosis which is caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis.”

How does rain rot happen?
The organism responsible for rain rot lives in the outer layer of the skin; if the skin is compromised by too much moisture or cracks, or if the horse has a weaker immune system, it’s easier for the pathogen to activate and establish an infection that causes from pinpoint to large, crusty scabs (pro tip: Your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!).

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?
Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is critical! If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections. It’s also important to note that this organism is contagious and may be passed to other horses by tack, equipment or insects, therefore disinfection of equipment is vital to prevent spread.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan. While there are a million over-the-counter products available, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action based on the severity of your horse's case.

03/07/2025

For jumper rider Ryan Haselden and her family, Feb. 19, 2025, will be a day seared into their memories forever. That afternoon, the day of Haselden’s 14th birthday, the teen suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while competing at Fox Lea Farm in Venice, Florida. Haselden’s parents, Will and Lindsay,...

01/31/2025

Meet this week's WESH 2 CommUNITY Champion, Freedom Ride:

12/09/2024

Just a courtesy reminder that if you are not an established client, we will not see you after hours. That’s a service reserved for existing clients! Thanks for understanding!

11/21/2024

Some clarification in case you take medical advice from television 🤭😉

With the hit TV show airing on Sunday, we have to address some mis-information during an early scene in the most recent episode.
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Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) should NEVER be administered via Intra-muscular (IM) injection in a horse! Always administer Intravenously (IV) or Orally.
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Given IM, Banamine can cause Clostridial Myositis, a severe bacterial infection at the injection site that can cause pain, heat, swelling and crepitus on palpation. These horses often have a fever, are depressed and very sick.
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Treatment should include aggressive antibiotics and debridement of the abscesses. These horses often require hospitalization with intensive care.
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If your horse becomes ill for any reason and could possibly need treatment with banamine, please seek help from your veterinarian for proper administration!