Artaurus Equine Clinic

06/21/2024

A dedicated and talented group of young riders from SCEC here in Petaluma is soon to be on their way to the Kentucky Horse Park for the US Pony Club Championships. We hope to keep up with the news of their adventure and wish them the best of luck.

06/21/2024

A day early Happy Birthday to Dr. Robert from, our wonderful client Chris Mudge and her horses' Joe, Selene and Drambuie. Thank-you Chris for your thoughtfulness! You made his day (and the cake is delicious!)

06/06/2024

A big welcome to Kyle Starkey, our new Monday, Tuesday Veterinary Assistant for Dr. Robert. Kyle is a multi generational cattle rancher in Bodega. When he is not here with us, he manages his cattle aboard his horse 'Honda' and is always working on ranch projects. For fun, he loves to compete in saddle bronc riding. Say hello to Kyle when you see him out and about with Dr. Robert. We are thrilled to have him!

03/19/2024

A great opportunity! Join in if you can!

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to face a medical emergency.

On March 20, join AAEP members Drs. Allie Catalino, Racquel Lindroth, and Nikki Scherrer for a one-hour webinar discussing how horse owners can prepare themselves for equine veterinary emergencies. Learn to identify problems requiring immediate attention and take appropriate action while awaiting veterinary care!

Attendance is FREE but registration is 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 now at https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7L6QaXs_RI6UymQgAWBuvg #/registration

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

03/19/2024

Pimmsy says we still need an able body to fill this front office chair here at our equine clinic. We can teach you the medical stuff, you bring the horse knowledge and client relations. E-mail or call for more information or e-mail or drop off your cover letter and resume. Pimmsy is looking forward to hearing from you!

03/06/2024

Are you ready for a new adventure? 2 positions available. One part-time or full time Front Desk and one Veterinary Assistant 2 days per week. Great opportunities to be in the Equine Veterinary world and work at a great place. Must have solid equine knowledge for the front desk and solid equine knowledge and handling for the veterinary assistant. E-mail or call the clinic for more information: [email protected], 707.763-1972. Or submit resume and cover letter via e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you!

01/25/2024

Anyone? Perfect horse needed for this awesome organization.

We’re excited to start the new year off with a search for a new equine member to join our herd!

If you have or know of a big, calm, kind, and safe horse for sale that would love to be a part of our program, please send us a message!

Because this horse would be a representative of the City, we are extremely particular about requirements.

We currently are only looking at geldings, at least 15.2hh, ideally between the ages of 5-15 years old. Must be able to handle farrier/tacking/bathing/trailering without issue. (Bonus if he has seen inflatable dinos before!)

All horses considered for our program must pass a trial period as well as a pre-purchase exam to ensure horse is sound of mind and body.

Help us find our next partner- please share and spread the word!

01/10/2024

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to be confronted with a medical emergency—even during the holidays. Are you prepared to act?

Having a clear emergency action plan will help you stay focused and effective if a crisis strikes. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you prepare for an equine emergency:

1. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours. Ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available for emergencies.

2. Have a plan for transporting the horse is necessary and know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center.

3. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle as well, and be sure to check your supplies periodically and restock as needed. First-aid kits can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like; seek your horse doctor's advice on what to add, especially regarding any drugs that could be included and how they should be administered.

12/19/2023

There's still time and we have a few spots left. Give your horse the gift of a sports massage and learn something new about your equine partner. A reminder that Linda Vegher of EQMotion will be here at the clinic this Thursday, Dec 21st and you can sign up for one of the available spots. She will also travel to your barn for a personal one on one. She has worked on and traveled with the US Olympic Eventing Team, worked on cow horses, hunt horses, pleasure horses etc,, and she can work on yours too. Give the office a call to schedule here or call/text Linda directly at 707.364.6056. She is only in the area for a couple of weeks!

12/15/2023

George is all dressed up the Holidays!! George is a full size real horse skeleton that Dr. Robert's dad had done years ago. Come and by see him, study him, ask questions and be amazed. Need an afternoon activity, a morning coffee break, something to do with the kids? George will be out for viewing until New Years, come on by!

12/15/2023

Great practical information courtesy of the horse doctors at Barrow Veterinary Service:

NORMAL: NOT JUST A SETTING ON THE DRYER!
If your horse seems a little "off," do you know what his "normal" is? One of the best ways you can determine if your horse is ill is to know his normal vitals—temperature, breaths per minute, heart rate, and capillary refill time. If they are outside the normal range, a call to your equine veterinarian is definitely warranted! Any refusal to eat a meal or to get up from a recumbent position is also a clue that you and your equine friend need assistance.

12/05/2023

Ever thought about giving your horse a holiday message? Does your horse.. lean on one rein? Swing their haunches? Hollow over the jump? It could be muscle soreness. We have a very special day coming up on Thursday, Dec 21, Linda Vegher of EQMotion Sportsmassage is on the West Coast for a bit and will be doing sessions here at the clinic. She has worked on the US Eventing Team horses at the World Equestrian Games 2022, Pratoni, Italy, the Pan Am Games 2023 in Chile as well as pleasure horses, racehorses, jumpers, western etc. Each one hour session will include evaluation and consultation along with the massage therapy work. $150 for each 1 hour session. Give a call or e-mail the clinic to schedule your time. You can also schedule her to come out to your barn during the holidays.

11/15/2023

For those enrolled in the SmartPak Colic Care Coverage program, below are the program requirements. As we are nearing the end of the year, make sure all requirements are fulfilled to ensure your horse's continued coverage.

Program requirements:
1. Physical Exam – documentation of at least one physical exam by veterinarian each year and compliance with all veterinarian’s recommendations
2. Dental Exam – documentation of at least one dental exam by veterinarian each year and administration of dental treatment(s) as recommended by such exam
3. Vaccinations – documentation of annual vaccinations administered by veterinarian of core vaccines such as those recommended by AAEP (Tetanus, EEE/WEE, WNV, and Rabies)
4. Deworming – documentation of participation in a deworming program overseen by veterinarian that includes at least one f***l egg count test and at least two deworming administrations each year

11/15/2023

Hey everyone, friendly reminder as we are nearing the end of the year, if you are enrolled in the Platinum Colic Care Coverage make sure you are up to date on all of the following requirements to ensure your horse's continued eligibility.

Program requirements:
1. Deworming – participate in a veterinary-directed deworming program (including 1 f***l egg count and 1 deworming per year)
2. Vaccinations – participate in an equine vaccination program (administered by a veterinarian per AAEP guidelines)
3. Dental – obtain an annual dental exam by a veterinarian

10/17/2023

Look what we got today! Our very own painting from Rusty the famous painting SFPD Police Horse! Thank-you Rusty, San Francisco Police Mounted United and Sgt Theresa. Pimms and I just love it!

08/31/2023

More from Zimbabwe. This is at Hwange, the largest nature preserve in Zimbabwe. Dr. Robert and his buddy Dr. Lane (also a equine vet, best buddy, travel partner) along with our guide Julian, had a grand 'ol time examining the structures of a deceased elephant. Dr. Robert had been wondering just where the 'hock' was in an elephant and like humans, it is in the ankle. Of course, Dr. Robert found himself some teeth, seen here holding the lower jaw of a middle aged elephant. Did you know that elephants erupt 6 sets of teeth throughout their lifetime? Julian estimated this one to be middle aged based on the fact that the current set was not too worn yet and it looked like there were two more sets developing. Like horses, if they are lucky enough to live to a ripe old age, they run out of tooth and can no longer chew forage and get nutrition. Unlike horses, they don't have humans to make them nice soft mashes.... The last photo is Dr. Robert, Dr. Lane and Nick Murray, who runs Bushlife conservancy, in discussion before the collaring of 'Columbus'.

08/29/2023

Oh Zimbabwe! What an adventure. What a place. One of the first really cool things we got to be involved with, something we never, ever, ever thought we would do,, is be up close and center with the collaring of a bull elephant. The first camp we stayed at in Mana Pools, 'Vindu Camp', has Bushlife Conservancy. Bushlife is very involved with the conservation of Elephants and African Painted Dogs. They raised enough money to collar 10 of the largest tusked bull elephants in an effort to thwart poaching. 'Donald' (so named because of his nasty temper) was the last one to be found and collared and we were asked if we wanted to join in the search and collaring. Dr. Robert got to chat with the veterinarians about the process, the tranquilizer used and help pick off ticks and cool Donald down. The whole process took only 24 min from the time that Donald went down until he was back up on his feet. Quite a smooth operation and hopefully Donald (now renamed Columbus after the head veterinarian) will live a long and healthy life.

08/02/2023

Our office will be CLOSED tomorrow August 3rd through Sunday August 6th due to short staffing. Kelly is in her 3rd trimester (Woohoo!) and has some unavoidable but routine doctor appointments. JJ is the best at sleeping in boxes but no good at answering phones or emails. If you are having an equine medical emergency, please call 707-763-1972 and follow the prompts to page the doctor. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding!

07/24/2023

For the first time ever, Adequan has a rebate!! You will receive a $20 check in the mail from the manufacturer for every purchase of an Adequan 7 pack to multi dose vial through your veterinarian now through October 31st! Don’t miss out on this! Contact us to discuss if Adequan is right for your horse or if it’s time to refill your horse’s prescription! Call us at (707)763-1972 or email us at [email protected]

06/29/2023

Time for a little time off for the 4th of July holiday. We will be closed Sat, July 1st through the 4th. Back open Wed, July 5th at 8:30. So if you need to pick up meds or… don’t dally! Call in your needs ahead of time do you don’t run out over the holiday. Of course, if you have an urgent or emergency need, call the clinic and follow the prompts to page the Doctor on call. Happy Fourth!

05/01/2023

Class Act!!! Congratulations to Tami and her incredible partner Mai Baum!!!!!!

03/17/2023

Sometimes it's easy to get so caught up in our worries and to-do lists that we forget we already have all the luck we need.
Happy St. Paddy's day! 🍀

03/17/2023

What a great treat we got yesterday from Madison, Virginia and Sophia! All girls are riders at Anakela Carmassi's beautiful barn "Eq Lete". Thank-you ladies, you made Dr. Robert's day!

03/14/2023

Everyone invited! Riders, owners, trainers, friends etc. A great opportunity to expand your hoof and hoof care knowledge. This seminar is being sponsored by our very own local farrier extraordinare - Sam Durham. All information is on the flyer.

02/14/2023

Hello all! Just a reminder that if you have the Platinum Performance Colic Coverage, there are requirements that must be met if you ever,, (hopefully not ever) need to use that coverage. Plus these requirements are an excellent reminder of good equine husbandry for annual health care for your equine partner:

- Complete an annual veterinary wellness exam and any recommended follow-up care
- Complete an annual dental exam by your veterinarian
- Participate in an equine vaccination program administered by your veterinarian (per AAEP guidelines)
- Participate in veterinary-directed deworming program (including 1 f***l test and 1 deworming per year)

01/31/2023

Found this really cool foal gestation chart. Thanks to Double L Acres. According to this chart, Zenny’s kid is about the size of a beagle,,, or as Pimms says, about the size of a Pimms… 🤣

01/31/2023

I have not been very good at posting Zenny’s pregnancy updates and you have been asking. Here you are! At 6 months, you can see her little baby bump growing. The little dragon should be anywhere between 7 and 15 lbs, 14 to 24 inches long and is developing some nose whiskers!

01/29/2023

My beautiful, smart, sweet Pimms! Best puppy ever! Thank you Muddy Oak Retrievers for breeding such a fantastic girl! Love her 💕

01/26/2023

Thank you Dr. Courtney and crew for taking such good care of EZ! His ulcers are all cleared up and he is feeling fantastic!

12/21/2022

CHEW ON THIS! Another valuable reminder about the importance of having a veterinarian check your horse’s teeth at least once a year, courtesy of AAEP horse doctor .christinestaten:

“Did you know that horses don’t really need their incisors to eat? Yep, even pasture. But if their incisors are a mess, it affects their ability to appropriately grind their food with their molars and pre-molars.

Dental work in horses is not just about floating teeth to get off points. It’s about balancing the mouth so that they can get the most nutrition out of their food without pain.

Shearing hay in the mouth is necessary to get the nutrition out. The guy in the picture was skinny because he could not move his jaw laterally enough to shear his food, but his health and body condition score improved significantly once the incisors were balanced.”