Southside Equine Services is a full service ambulatory equine practice located in South Central VA
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Southside Equine Services is a full service ambulatory practice providing routine care Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:30pm. We serve the counties of: Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Campbell, Prince Edward, Mecklenburg, Halifax, and Bedford. We are able to perform all diagnostics and treatments on the farm. Our mission is to provide top quality care during any stage of life. W
e are able to respond to your horses preventive care, medical, field surgery, emergency, and sports medicine needs. Using tools such as power dentistry, endoscopy, ultrasonography and digital radiography we are able to provide a broad range of services on the farm.
Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Rossner for officially becoming the new owner of Southside Equine Services! We will still be a full-service equine practice and we will maintain the hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. We wish Dr. Rossner much success in her new endeavor!!
Please be advised that Dr Rossner will be out of the office until Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The office will be open for scheduling appointments or refilling medications. If you need veterinary care, please refer to the emergency numbers or reach out to another local vet of your choice. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Just want to let everyone know that we are experiencing phone issues once again. Calls are not ringing into the office. If I don't answer, PLEASE send a text or email. Voicemails received are sometimes not of the best quality and return calls cannot be made if I can't make out who is calling or the number to call, and they sometimes come in a few hours after the call was made. We are working (and have been working) diligently to have this resolved. Be assured we are open and we are working!! Thank you!!
Southside Equine Services will be closed, Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 28th. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Don't forget the next installment on Unbridled - Equestrian Talk tonight with Dr. Caroline Rossner!
https://www.facebook.com/unbridledtalk
Join Genevieve and Carly weekly for interviews exploring the wonderful world of equestrian sports!
Looks like our Dr. Caroline Rossner is becoming quite the celebrity! She once again joined the podcast "Unbridled - Equestrian Talk" this past Wednesday and discussed hoof care and dentistry. You can catch that episode at
https://www.facebook.com/unbridledtalk
She has been invited back for the third week on Wednesday, April 3rd to continue with great topics for your horse's care. Everyone join in and let's see how many weeks we can have Dr Rossner invited back!!
Join Genevieve and Carly weekly for interviews exploring the wonderful world of equestrian sports!
In case you missed Dr Rossner last night on Unbridled - Equestrian Talk Show, here is the link to hear the discussion. Save this link because they asked her back for next AND the following week!!
https://www.facebook.com/unbridledtalk/posts/pfbid022dnuCMjycHFWWRUQKwZ3ywmkHUpHoLREcYLqzSAWbdDX6BEBpdHzrYH8L14a5ELVl?__cft__[0]=AZWmvkdQMSP5IDPBMRBXXkzBiPZNpVMbhgoB3hcbaq_YMr8O_l01fg8qiAYNW-swVY8DKNUtlZjB2x8MLCRH2E_pVIsMa54dqNhyKZfVBnuBlz1XBw8PZlOvKqpM8wD2ZW4k7UcAjWRm5Q_Voehw7m6YsCUKtJ5P5at71lZZzW9roO7nG9uzuxyChGBaJmSqXkc&__tn__=R]-R
Tonight at 8:15pm! Guest Caroline Rossner is going to talk about her experiences in Veterinary Medicine and competition readiness! Don’t miss it!
Tune in tonight to Facebook Live at 8 pm to hear Dr. Caroline Rossner discuss the veterinary side of equine competition. Lots of great information will be shared!
https://www.facebook.com/share/hboqkr3jAkHXkp4P/?mibextid=qi2Omg
Join Genevieve and Carly weekly for interviews exploring the wonderful world of equestrian sports!
"You said Spring was going to be early.....I'm here for my Spring Vaccines and Coggins."
The grass is greener, and the trees are starting to bud. Warmer weather means earlier rides. If you need your horse's Spring vaccines and Coggins test, please call soon to make that appointment. Don't be caught unprepared for that first show or trail ride!!
We have been notified of a Strangles outbreak which may have originated from the Horse Auction held within the past few weeks. If your horse shows any signs of nasal discharge, fever, or swelling under the chin, please call for an appointment to have them checked. Any time you attend a high risk area, it is very important if you purchase a horse that you do not introduce into your herd until the recommended quarantine time is up. If your horse does develop Strangles, you will need to have the horse treated with the proper medications, and will need to disinfect everything that comes in contact with that horse. Always wash hands, change clothes, and disinfect shoes/boots. We do have a vaccine to help guard against the virus and highly recommend it for all horses that are shown, trail ridden, boarded, or exposed to other horses that may not be vaccinated.
Here at Southside Equine Services, we are gearing up for the Spring season. Waiting for warmer temperatures, greener grass, and the chance to ride in thinner layers! This also signals it's time for Spring Vaccines!!
We posted this article from the American Association of Equine Practitioners last year, but it is very informative and explains why vaccines should be administered by a licensed vet. It's not always about the cost but of the relationship you develop with your equine veterinarian.
"With vaccines readily available at farm supplies stores, online pharmacies and other retailers, it's sometimes tempting to save a few dollars by purchasing and administering them to your animals yourself.
Because there are hidden risks and costs associated with vaccinating animals yourself, "cheaper" vaccines aren't the value they first appear to be.
Did you know that many veterinarians will develop a customized vaccine program for your horse based on its environmental exposure and other factors? Coupled with other routine services and check-ups, having your veterinarian administer vaccines is always safer, easier and a better value in the long run than doing it yourself.
Having your horse on the correct vaccination schedule allows the veterinarian to observe the animal regularly and detect early signs of a disease or disorder. Based on these visits, your veterinarian can suggest other, more in-depth examinations or tests for your horse.
Here are several other good reasons why a veterinarian is your best choice for administering vaccines:
*Proper Handling of the Vaccine
Many vaccines require special handling and storage. For instance, a particular vaccine may require protection from extremes of temperature or exposure to light to preserve its effectiveness. Rely on a licensed veterinarian to store and handle the vaccine properly. Another aspect of proper handling is also making sure that the vaccine has not passed its expiration date. Veterinarians are keenly aware of the effective life of a given vaccine.
*Safe Administration
Part of safe administration is a clean environment and injection site, otherwise you may be putting pathogens into your horse's system instead of protecting against them.
Some vaccines cannot be given at the same time as other medicines. Your veterinarian will know which vaccines and medications can react with one another. Your veterinarian will document the vaccine’s serial number and administration date—especially important in the event of a manufacturer’s recall. This is one instance when poor documentation could put your animal in peril.
*Availability for treatment of adverse reactions
Any injection can result in adverse effects. Maybe it's only mild swelling at the injection site. Or, it could be lethargy and a slight fever for one to two days. In some animals, it can be as severe as an immediate outbreak of hives or life-threatening anaphylaxis. If your veterinarian is there administering the vaccine, he or she will know what to do to counteract a reaction—and they will have the medicine to do it." ***
Did you know that if your horse has a severe reaction and needs prolonged emergent treatment after receiving a veterinarian administered vaccine, the pharmaceutical company will offer payment for that treatment? Not that we ever want this to happen but this in itself is worth the vet trip!!
When you think about the risks of doing it yourself, it only makes good sense to have a licensed professional administer vaccines.
Get a jump on the show season with getting all your required vaccines and Coggins done so you don't have to worry last minute if you have all that you need!
Call us today to schedule your spring vaccines and other equine needs!
***Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
In this everchanging business of veterinary medicine, all doctors are required to attend continuing education seminars to keep up to date on the newest regulations, treatments, and medications for your horses. We would like to notify all our clients that we will not have a doctor available to come out to your farm on Friday, January 12, or through the week of January 15 through January 19, 2024. If you need your horse to be seen or need refills of medications, please make arrangements before these dates. We will still have our Virtual Visits available during our regular business hours! Farm calls will resume on January 22, 2024. Thank you!
Southside Equine Services will be closed on Friday, December 29th and Monday, January 1st, for the New Year holiday. Wishing our clients, family, and friends, a joyous and prosperous new year!
Southside Equine Services will be closed on Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, 2023, for the Christmas holiday. From all of us, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season.
We have the list of folks that are willing to haul your horses in case of an emergency. Please make note of the following:
Jessica Vincent - Brookneal - 804-651-8395
Wilt Family Farms - Appomattox - 434-414-2123
Kelli Greenslade - Lynchburg - 240-464-9541
Sarah Detrick - Farmville - 434-315-1926
Dana Engel - Henderson, NC 252-432-3759
(will cover 450-500 mile radius from Henderson)
Please remember to contact any one of these haulers directly and not through Southside Equine Services. We do thank the above people for being available to do this in an already stressful situation. If anyone would like to be added to the list, please either comment on the post or call the office. Thanks!
Are you prepared in case you have an emergency with your horse? We never like to think that something will happen but if you have an emergency plan, treatment and help can be promptly administered. As you all know, emergency services in a single veterinarian practice are extinct these days. Veterinarians simply cannot be working 24/7 to full efficiency and safety. With holidays upon us and our practice being closed on those days, we want to make sure our clients know what to do in case there are issues and need help. First: if you require assistance during normal working hours, contact the office. The vet will do the best she can to come out as quickly as she is able. After hours, weekends and holidays: if you do not already have the emergency phone numbers to the area equine hospitals now would be a good time to input them into your contact system. If you call the office, they can be given to you or if you call after hours, they are listed on the voicemail message. PLEASE NOTE: text messages are NOT seen after hours, weekends, or holidays. The office phone is not manned when the office is closed. Second: if your horse needs to be seen you will need to trailer the horse to any of these hospitals - they do not come to you. Therefore, you will need to have a trailer available when you need it. We are looking for individuals that might be willing to haul horses after hours for clients that might need this service. If you are willing, please contact the office or leave your contact information on this post and the area you would be willing to cover. This is not going to be a service offered through Southside Equine so individuals would be directly in contact with the hauler. We would like to comprise a list and post when we have it completed. Again, we don't like to think something will happen, but having a plan makes these times less stressful for you and your equine.
Holiday Closing: Southside Equine Services will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd, and Friday, November 24th, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Wishing all our clients and their families a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Normal hours will resume on Monday, November 27th.
Happy Halloween! 🎃 Who says Halloween is just for kids? Here's our very own Dr. Caroline Rossner upon her horse Summer having a little fun this past weekend! Please share your photos of you and your mounts in costume showinig some Halloween spirit!! 👻🧛♂️🧙♀️
Welcome to Southside Equine.....again! Dr. Caroline Rossner worked with us a few years back so some of you may remember her. She is back in the saddle as an Associate Vet. She is a 2015 graduate of the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Born in Canada, she grew up in Alabama and North Carolina. She loved horses from a young age and enjoyed eventing, Pony Club, and 4H activities while growing up. She graduated Summa Cum Laud from North Carolina State University with a bachelor's degree in animal science in 2011. During vet school, she worked in the Large Animal Hospital on the weekends and was an active member of the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She enjoys a wide variety of equine sports in her free time including mounted games, trail riding, eventing, and mounted obstacles. Her interests in veterinary medicine include dentistry, lameness, and field surgery.
To say we are glad she is here, is quite an understatement!
Have you looked at the weather this week? Drastic changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure can decrease the amount of water a horse will drink which can increase its chances of having a colic episode during these rapid temperature changes. So what can you do to prevent this? Add salt to their feed. 1-2 tablespoons of salt in their feed can increase water consumption or you can use loose mineral like equi-min per label instructions. Soaking their feed or adding extra water to soaked feed can increase their water intake. Horses tend to prefer warmer water so now is the time to test heated buckets and water troughs to make sure they are working and that they do not have any electrical issues. Studies also show that horses drink more water from teal colored buckets and prefer orange gatorade. If you add gatorade to their water, always make sure to have a bucket of fresh plain water present as well.
The weather changes can also drastically change the sugar content in the grass from day to day so if you have a laminitic horse, please take extra precautions with grazing during the next few weeks.
After the first hard frost is when you want to deworm for bots and I usually deworm for tapeworms as well in the fall. Look for a dewormer like equimax or quest plus to cover those parasites. If you would like to have a f***l egg count done, please contact the office to set it up. Remember tapeworms and bot fly larvae typically do not show up on a f***l flotation.
As you all know, I have been searching for another veterinarian to come on board and to continue to serve our wonderful clients and their equines. Well, I have great news! Dr. Caroline Rossner has agreed to once again join Southside Equine Services! Dr. Rossner worked with us a few years back and is a skilled practitioner and will be a great asset to our horse community. Dr. Rossner will be taking appointments starting October 16, 2023, so give the office a call to set up your appointment for all your equine needs!
For our clients that have horses on daily medicines, we want you to know we are still here in the office refilling those prescriptions. Just call the office and we can either ship to you or arrange for pick up or meet you for delivery.
We just finished our first week of Virtual Visits! We feel like this has been a great success. Would love to hear some feedback and thoughts on how the clients that used the Virtual Visits felt it went. Of course, nothing compares to Dr. Scarrow in person but it the next best thing!
Please be advised that we now have new hours! We will be open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday! Thank you!
We were asked how to get set up for the "Virtual Visits", so here are the instuctions!
*Go to your app store on your phone and search for the "WhatsApp" download. This is a FREE app available for both Android and iPhone.
*Add the office number to your contacts - 434-248-5880
*Send me a message from WhatsApp to the above phone number with the phone number of the devise you are using. I will then send you a video chat call to test that both parties are being seen on video. There is NO CHARGE to try this out!
*If you set up a Virtual Visit appointment, we must initiate the video call from our end. We will be viewing the footage through a desktop PC and not a phone. I will contact you before the scheduled appointment time to make sure you will be available and to process the fee associated with this service.
PLEASE NOTE! WhatsApp is ONLY being used for the video call capability. Please continue to use the office phone number and/or email for appointments, refills, and any other concerns.
If you have any questions or difficulties, please call the office and we will try to help you resolve.
Looks like our clients are as excited as we are for Virtual Visits! We had our first virtual visit this week with great success and more clients are getting set up on WhatsApp and trying it out. Remember to get set up BEFORE you need us!
Imagine having a veterinary appointment for your horse and the doctor is on time! No waiting for the vet being held up at another barn, or stuck in traffic, or having an emergency and not being able to arrive on time, causing you longer delays in your already busy life schedule......
Welcome to "Virtual Visit"! Dr. Scarrow is now available by appointment to look at your horse, diagnose, and offer a treatment plan, all at the convenience of your schedule.
Most of you are familiar with "WhatsApp" and we have found this platform works well for "Virtual Visit". This is a free app that you can download on both Android and Iphone, to video and speak to Dr. Scarrow in Real Time. (We recommend having your connections tested ahead of time to avoid technical difficulties during your session.)
The following situations would work well for a "Virtual Visit":
**Gait evaluation - preclude a prepurchase examination for lameness (you do not buy a lame horse)
**Skin problems
**General health examination: weight gain/loss, diarrhea, and feeding/nutritional protocols for various conditions
**Follow-ups to evaluate response to treatments
***Do I need a farm visit - issues that do require a veterinarian to see in person
"Virtual Visit" will be by appointment only. There will be a flat fee for up to the first 30 minutes then additional fees for each 15 minute increments.
Payment by credit card must be completed prior to the session. If the problem is of a nature that cannot be evaluated virtually, there will be no charge for the session.
NOTE: for ease of your session, you may want to have another handler available so you will be able to move freely around your horse without having to hold, or, if Dr. Scarrow needs to see the horse in motion, you will be able to video while the handler moves the horse out.
Again, your horses' health and well-being has always been our top priority and concern. This is a great new platform and opportunity to continue helping you with the care of your equine family members.
Call the office for details or to set up your "Virtual Visit" session and welcome to the next level of Equine care!
Please if you have photos from Dr. Scarrow's Retirement Party, please feel free to share!
Would like to thank all that came for my retirement party on September 10th. It truly filled my heart with gratitude seeing and talking to you. I just wished I had had more time to visit with each of you. I know that we could have reminisced about our shared adventures. We will leave that for another time.
Many of you travelled significant distances to come share our occasion. It was wonderful to see each of you.
I smiled as I read each card and explored the gift. I will keep these to lift me up when I am having crappy day!
I may not be coming to see my old friends and their owners. You will all still be in my heart. I hope we get a chance to run into each other in my new life.
We are starting to get appointments for our new feature - Virtual Veterinary visits. Hopefully we will get a chance to see you there.
Remember it is always a beautiful day to be alive.
Happy Trails to you.
I would like to thank everyone for coming out yesterday and partaking in Dr. Scarrow's Sweet Retirement Party! It was certainly nice to put faces with voices! I really appreciate all that helped make it an overwhelming success. I know Dr. Scarrow had a great time and because of everyone that came, it will be something he talks about and cherishes for a long time! Thank you all again!! Lori
4733 Red House Road
Phenix, VA
23959
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Our very own Dr. Scarrow participated in Randolph-Henry Career Day yesterday. Sharing his knowledge and experience to inspire the next generation of veterinarians.
Let's talk about twins. When we breed mares, there are many factors that can interfere with the pregnancy. Since the foals are so large, almost all mares cannot carry twins to term. Even if they do carry the twins to term, both are usually very small and one is often more handicapped than the other and usually one or both do not survive. These are often recognized as late term abortions when the size of the foals means that neither are getting the nutition that they require. We try to avoid this situation using the ultrasound machine to detect two embryos within the 30 days following breeding. If there are two, an attempt is made to disrupt one embryo so that only one remains- this is a very successful procedure. It is possible to miss these twin fertilized embryo, especially in early evaluations. It is thought this is due to one embryo overlying the other. After foaling, we like to visit the mare and foal in the first day. We can evaluate a blood sample from the foal to ensure that they have eaten and absorbed the antibody in the clostrum which is there only means of ammunity until they are 3-5 months of age. Secondly, we evaluate the mare and foal to ensure that both are healthy after birth. Then, we evaluate the after birth or placenta to be sure that not even a small fragment of the placenta is left in the mares uterus. This can lead to severe illness and even death in the mare. This case involves a mare which we examined in the last month of pregnancy. The foal was thought to be smaller than expected for the gestational length but there were no other abnormal signs. The mare foaled near her expected foaling date without problems. The foal appeared to be somewhat smaller than expected but was healthy and vigorous. When the placenta was examined, it was noted there was a book sized mass in one part of the placenta that was quite firm on palpation. The rest of the placenta appeared normal. When the area of where the mass was, was opened, inside w
