Vecchione Veterinary

06/29/2024

Backyard doesn’t mean forgotten……
They still feel pain, get sick and need attention
Have your vet perform a general physical at least once a year to be sure everyone is feeling their best🐎

04/24/2024

Digital ultrasound imaging modality to diagnose soft tissue injuries

04/20/2024

We all know how important it is to establish the status of whether or not your horse or pony have stomach ulcers
This procedure can be done at home in your barn with the use of a gastroscope
If you need to determine whether or not ulcers are causing issues in your horse or pony, this would be the procedure we can offer you

03/29/2024

Shockwave used during rehab of soft tissue sport injuries is another tool we have available in supporting tissues as they heal
Addition of this therapy results in healthier end result and horses are able to return to their prior level of performance

03/26/2024

It’s that time of year, make sure your horse is up to task performing and feeling they’re absolute best . You don’t need to be showing to be in need of a performance exam . Pleasure horses also need to be supported as they age.
Make sure your mount is feeling their best this ride season and schedule a performance exam.

02/17/2024

01/25/2024

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS CRITICAL INFORMATION

https://thehorse.com/features/where-have-all-the-horse-vets-gone/?fbclid=IwAR3dEhWHuhws0wIvaEAKfyOcUzxoSGWwCwpSyE8iEWqlIeYapvBksdsbyZk #:~:text=Equine%20veterinarians%20have%20been%20leaving%20the%20profession%20at,100%20equine%20practitioners%20remains%20beyond%20two%20decades%20post-graduation

Equine vets have been leaving the field at staggering rates, and the horse industry is advocating for a more sustainable version of the job.

01/11/2024

Is your horse’s nighttime vision better than your daytime vision?

When comparing equine vision to human vision, the horse has a smaller visible spectrum (see image) which means they see a smaller range of colors than we do. However, horses have a structure in the back of their eye—called the tapetum lucidum—that humans do not have. This enhances vision in low light conditions and allows a horse to see better in the dark than a human does. However, reflections from the tapetum lucidum can also blur images and lead to poor depth perception at night.

Dilation of the pupil allows all species to see better in the dark. This process takes longer in a horse (45 minutes) than it does in humans (25 minutes). So when a horse is asked to do something in a dark environment, it’s important to allow their vision proper time to fully accommodate.

Overall, the nighttime vision of a horse is better than the nighttime vision of a human. However, the horse’s nighttime vision is NOT better than the daytime vision of a human. Anytime you are asking your horse to function in a dim light situation, give them time to adjust. And if they are fearful, be patient and try to understand how things look from their perspective!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/06/2023

🌲🌲🌲Have a safe and happy holiday season🌲☃️

11/23/2023

Safe and happy holiday season to us all

10/27/2023

Here is your reminder to check your alfalfa for the presence of blister beetle prior to feeding it to your horses—especially if you feed alfalfa hay from a new or unknown harvesting source.

"The blister beetle (Epicauta) is highly toxic to sheep and cattle, but primarily to horses," says AAEP member Dr. Benjamin Espy. "As little as four (4) to six (6) grams of blister beetles can be deadly to a 1100-pound horse. Blister beetles swarm in alfalfa fields and are drawn into bales by accident. Even small parts of these beetles are toxic to a horse, and whole insects need not be present to be dangerous. Although cantharidin can exist in the alfalfa used to make pellets and cubes, cantharidin toxicity is very rare by this route. Some people believe that it has to do with the processing, others believe that it’s because the feed companies are using alfalfa from reputable sources that have good insect control."

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of toxicity, call your veterinarian immediately. While there is no antidote for the toxin found in blister beetles, your veterinarian may still be able to save your horse by providing supportive care to combat dehydration, help evacuate toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and delay potential absorption. Since there are many representatives of the species Epicauta, contact your local agricultural agent so they can help you identify any beetle that looks suspicious.

Read Dr. Espy's article on blister beetle poisoning on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/blister-beetle-poisoning

07/15/2023

Two equine nutritionists shed light on the do's and don'ts of feeding your horse for strong and healthy hooves.

06/07/2023

AIR QUALITY AND YOUR HORSE

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/guidelines-horses-exposed-wildfire-smoke

05/10/2023

A long article, but worth the read…

03/05/2023

Archaeologists have found the first direct evidence for horseback riding in 5,000 year old skeletons in central Europe

02/13/2023

Good afternoon 
Vecchione Veterinary would like to inform everyone that several posts have been placed on our business page out of our control. We are looking into having this corrected. Sorry for the posts that have nothing to do with our practice or equine health and wellness 

12/25/2022

Happy Holidays to all🎄🎄🎄🐎

09/02/2022

As the rush for pumpkin spice everything begins and you're making plans for the colder weather ahead, you may be considering purchasing round bales for your horses due to their lower cost and greater convenience for feeding pastured animals.

While well-harvested and properly stored round bales can still be an option for your horses, there are a few things you should be aware of—in particular, the increased risk of colic and of botulism, a rapidly progressive neurologic disease with high mortality caused by the toxins produced by the bacterium "Clostridium botulinum.” Prevention of this disease through vaccination is critical, especially in areas where the condition is prevalent (such as Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Tennessee).

As in all horse health issues, your local veterinarian remains your best source of information. Consult your horse doctor on best practices when feeding hay this winter to best meet your needs and your horse’s nutritional requirements; ask your veterinarian about botulism prevention and treatment, too!

More information on botulism is available on our website at https://tinyurl.com/vx8uxdh9

07/22/2022

Keeping competition horses well-hydrated isn't always easy. Our nutritionist offers tips to help prevent dehydration.

07/20/2022

Horses travel every day for a number of reasons—to be bought and sold, for competition, for breeding purposes, etc. Whether your horse travels by road or by air, horse owners need to be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic, and even laminitis (in the case of overweight horses).

Following are a few tips to help your equine friend maintain good health and welfare during transport. This list is by no means complete and we encourage you to read "Practical Guidelines to Assess Fitness for Transport of Equidae” to find additional advice. This document will also help you understand regulations and avoid penalties for being out of compliance: https://tinyurl.com/yck9cz86

• Inadequate management of feed and water intake during travel could cause colic, gastric ulceration and heat stress. Food and water should be provided prior to transport, during regular rest breaks and upon arrival at destination.
• Ensure your horse’s immunizations are up to date against respiratory pathogens to protect your animal from these diseases.
• The horse should be rested before the journey, given rest stops during travel and have time to recover on arrival at the destination.
• The vehicle should be well-ventilated to help prevent respiratory problems or overheating.
• Drive slowly and carefully (NO TEXTING, avoid driving when fatigued or eating while driving, etc.) to provide a comfortable journey for the animal and reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.

As always, your veterinarian remains your best resource. If you have questions, consult your horse doctor about preparing your equine friend for travel and keeping them safe!

06/25/2022

Fun fact Friday: Did you know that horses have dichromatic vision and therefore can only discern blue and yellow? Humans, on the other hand, have trichromatic vision and this allows us to see the full spectrum of red, green and blue.

Do horses have color preferences? The science says they do! Researchers recently explored color preferences in horses based on how much water was consumed from buckets painted one of six colors: red, yellow, green, light green, light blue, and turquoise. The results? It appears that horses are more likely to drink out of turquoise or light blue buckets!

Read more at https://ker.com/equinews/color-preferences-among-horses/

06/13/2022

As temperatures keep climbing, here is your reminder to pay close attention to signs of heat stress in your horse this summer. ☀️🐴

Signs of heat stroke may range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Foals usually cannot take as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day. Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will have more problems. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and that strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and signs of heat exhaustion, as heat exhaustion should not be underestimated and can advance to heat stroke quickly. Above all, be kind and attentive to your equine partner’s need. If you feel hot, they feel hotter. So if they look tired—it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.

As always, consult your primary veterinarian for more tips tailored to your specific horse’s situation! Read more about heat stroke on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/heat-stroke

05/21/2022

Did you know that horses can get sunburns too?

That’s right: Horses, like humans, can be at risk for the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn, especially on the non-pigmented pink-skinned areas of the body. The breeds that most frequently suffer from sunburn include Paints, Pintos, and Appaloosas, as well as many cremellos and other horses with pale coat colors.

Sunburn is most frequently seen in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and on the muzzle of pale or white-faced horses — and horses prone to recurrent sunburn also have an increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

To reduce the risk of sunburn, the best advice is to avoid sun exposure when possible. This is often achieved by stabling the horse during the day and allowing him to graze from dusk to dawn.
Another preventive option is the use of a full-face fly mask, or a full-body fly sheet for horses with large areas of white over the back and trunk, as many of these products come with UV protection.
Lots of people use use human products, such as children’s sunscreens, on their horses, however the product needs to be reapplied often to fully effective (just an on people).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your animal comfortable. Sunburn recovery in the horse can take months, so taking proactive steps to keep your equine friend protected this summer is in everyone’s best interest!

More information about sunburn and photosensitization is available on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/sunburn-photosensitivity

04/29/2022

The show season + warmer weather combo results, amongst other things, in a lot of traveling horses and 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).

But if you’re thinking, “My horse doesn’t travel, does it still need an annual Coggins test?” — the answer is: YES.

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 lifelong carriers, 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 with slight to high fever for a few days and perhaps small hemorrhages, to progressive weakness, weight loss, depression, and disorientation. EIA also has an inapparent form; affected horses might only show a slight fever for a day or be totally without clinical signs of the infection.

If a horse tests positive for EIA, they will serve as a lifelong source of disease transmission to other equids; at that point the owner can only choose between quarantine and isolation for the rest of the horse's life (minimum 200 yards away from all other horses), or humane euthanasia.

Take-home message: a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, but it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don't take place.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/equine-infectious-anemia