Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital

09/04/2024

Choke is all too common! Knowing how to prevent it (as muuch as you can) and what to look out for is incredibly important.

If you see these signs or are worried that your horse is choking or coliking, give us a call at 360-779-5557! We have 24/7/365 emergency care for horses (and farm animals) and have a team on call for whenever an emergency strikes!

#24/7/365

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

To learn more about choke, visit: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/response-choke-53083?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD8vFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfE-Zua-igK44im7wrVKxQCC-BpnLCteEuv_kOcOvm_IrRy_GusLbR99tA_aem_vtdTknV2QDBSXk79x9PmjQ

09/02/2024

Happy Labor day!

Our hospital is open for Equine and Farm Animal emergencies today but will not be open for regular appointments until Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024.

Please give us a call at 360-779-5557 for any Equine or Farm Animal emergencies!

08/30/2024

Did you know that we see farm animals AND we have 24/7/365 Emergency care for farm animals as well as horses?!

If not, great news! We offer care for sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and pigs. Cattle may be seen if adequate handling facilities are available. Just like with horses, we recommend annual exams to assess the overall health of your animals. These exams will include a thorough physical exam, as well as a discussion of housing, feeding, and routine care practices. Annual vaccination for protection against clostridial diseases like Tetanus, and a tailored deworming program is recommended for all livestock.

We also have the ability to run diagnostics and provide care in our hospital and where your farm animals live (as long as hospitalization or major surgery is not needed).

Our doctors that see farm animals are Dr. Charlie Fahy (our internist), Dr. Mary Margaret Worley (our farm animal only vet), Dr. Beau Green (our reproduction vet), and Dr. Mackensie Adams (one of our board certified surgeon)! If you are interested in getting veterinary care for your farm animals, if they are due for their exams and vaccines, or if you need to call about an emergency, give us a call at 360-779-5557 24/7/365!

08/28/2024

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is celebrated on August 28th each year to honor and remember pets that have passed away. The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, we remember the companionship and comfort they provided to us. Don't forget that part of the relationship included care provided by you. The empty space left by the loss of a beloved pet is sometimes a difficult void to overcome.

This day can be a way to help heal the pain of loss and remember the companionship and comfort pets provided. Some ways to celebrate include:
Sharing memories of pets, such as photos and videos
Creating an outdoor memorial or garden
Partake in some of their favorite activites
Visit some of their favorite places

If you feel the need to speak to someone about your grief, please call the Pet Loss Grievence Hotline at (855) 245-8214 to speak with a licensed therapist.

08/23/2024

Steve loves to help out and keep an eye on our patients, no matter if they are inside or in our outdoor stalls.

Such a great supurrivsor! 🐴🐈

08/19/2024

What better way to spend than to have a photoshoot with your horse?!

Join our photography contest or just have some fun with a photoshoot with you and your horse just for the fun of it today! If you want to enter our contest to have your horse assist with our appointments everyday just by taking a few pictures where all 4 legs are visible, then email the pictures to [email protected]! Winner will get a prize and will be announced the first week of September!

Surprise! 🥳🐴We are having a contest to help us replace the general templete for our new record system going live at the end of September! This contest will be live until September 1st, 2024 and will require a photo of your standing horse where all 4 legs are visible.

If you are interested in having you horse be a part of Sound Equine on a daily basis in the best way possible, send the picture over to [email protected] to enter the contest! The winner will be announced the 1st week of September and will also recieve a prize!

08/15/2024

Surprise! 🥳🐴We are having a contest to help us replace the general templete for our new record system going live at the end of September! This contest will be live until September 1st, 2024 and will require a photo of your standing horse where all 4 legs are visible.

If you are interested in having you horse be a part of Sound Equine on a daily basis in the best way possible, send the picture over to [email protected] to enter the contest! The winner will be announced the 1st week of September and will also recieve a prize!

08/13/2024

Check out our new newsletter with update information, this month's awareness program, and a thank you to Dr. Youngblood and updates on her practice!

We have a lot in store within the next few months and we can't wait to share them with you!

08/09/2024

Did you know that August is National Immunization Awareness Month?

Vaccines are so important to make sure that your pets stay safe, and the HealthforAnimals Global Animal Health Association puts it perfectly-

"The benefits of vaccines have long been understood by generations of parents who’ve protected the health of their children. Similarly, for farmers, veterinarians and pet owners, vaccines provide essential protections against illness in livestock and pets.

Vaccination offers an effective, inexpensive way to prevent a deadly disease from harming the animals in their care. These medicines are foundational to any animal health program, with the benefits extending even to public health.

When animals are protected against a zoonotic disease, it prevents transfer to people. This is especially important for a disease like rabies which still kills nearly 60,000 people every year in developing regions.

Vaccines are one of the most important tools available to care for animal health and, by extension, our own health."

08/06/2024

This is so important! If you don't have a plan yet, or if you want to get a referesher on what should be in your plan, sign up for this amazing event today (it is free by the way)!

Some of our staff will be joining as well! 😁

Do you know what to do when the weather goes haywire?

This Thursday (Aug. 8), join AAEP members Drs. Elizabeth Gorrell and Chelsea Folmar for a one-hour webinar discussing the essentials of disaster preparedness for horse owners. Whether it's tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires, learn to plan with confidence so you and your animals are equipped to ride out any storm!

Registration is FREE but required. Limited time at the end of the session will be available for questions and answers, so we encourage you to submit your questions in advance through the registration form. To register, please visit: https://aaep-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OjyrhJK7RrOsV5LFljMxxg

Can't make the live event? No worries, a recording will be available! Click the link above to register and receive the link once the recording is available.

08/01/2024

Steve, our clinic kitty and true boss here at Sound, is *obviously* working super hard to get all of the calls and emails answered up front!

His supurrvision in between naps on the trucks, hunting for a snack outside, and the occasional reminder to the team to get back to work with his paws, is key to keeping us running! 🐈🐴

07/30/2024

This International Day of Friendship, we are celebrating the ever-lasting friendship between you and your horse, because no one knows them better and no one knows you better than your horse 🐴❤️

We know that your horse is your best friend and is family through and through. The unconditional love that they give us (and we give them) has shown dramatic increases in our happiness, enhanced social connections, reduced stress and anxiety, and so much more. This deserves to be celebrated!

To celebrate with us, give a shout out to your horse below with a picture, make some homemade horse cookies with your horse's favorite ingredients, spend some extra time with them either just grooming, petting, riding, or whatever their favorite activity is, and give them extra pets for us!

07/25/2024

We are wishing all of the luck to the Equestrian Teams in the starting tomorrow including Adrienne Lyle, a dressage equestrian born in raised near Whidbey Island and Former WSU Cougar!

U.S. Dressage Team member Adrienne Lyle talks about finding her Olympic mount and how she incorporates her core values as a rider into her training approach.

07/21/2024

07/16/2024

We are celebrating like it's Christmas in July because we can now introduce Dr. Worley, our new Large Animal Vet!

Dr. Mary Margaret Worley received her BS in animal science from Purdue University, and her DVM from Texas A&M University. She has spent her career practicing as a mixed animal veterinarian in Texas and more recently Washington. She enjoys working with clients to keep their whole farm healthy, and has a special interest in emergency care, neurology, and ophthalmology.

She is currnetly seeing appointments on Tuesday's and Wednesday's and we can't wait for you to meet her!

07/05/2024

Should you be concerned if your donkey stops eating?

While any animal not eating is a worry, donkeys can face serious health risks if they go off their feed for too long. Here's why: donkeys efficiently convert food to energy, making them prone to obesity and increased fat stores. If they stop eating for a while, their bodies break down stored fat quickly which creates high levels of triglycerides in the blood. When triglyceride concentrations within the blood get too high, they are deposited into the liver causing damage and in severe cases, even life-threatening liver failure. This condition is called hyperlipemia.

How you can help: Hyperlipemia can result secondary to primary illness (ex. colic), stressful situations, or an increase in the body's nutritional requirements. Maintaining donkeys at a healthy weight, performing appropriate metabolic testing and care, and ensuring immediate veterinary care when they stop eating can help prevent this condition from starting.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

06/27/2024

Our office is closed today from 9am to 1pm while our staff and vets participate in training exercises.

We are available for emergencies. Call our office number and speak to the answering service with any urgent or emergency needs. (360) 779-5557

06/26/2024

**Client looking for help with foal care at home**

This little c**t has had a challenging first couple days of life. He is unable to get up on his own because of contracted tendons.

The owner is seeking support in caring for the foal at home. The c**t needs assistance to stand and nurse from the mare as often as possible until he can do it on his own.

If you are interested in providing assistance, please reach out directly to Efrain Ramirez at (360) 509-1793.

12/04/2023

We are excited to announce that starting January 2nd, 2024 Dr’s Charlie Fahy, Beau Green, and Mackenzie Adams will be accepting NEW non-equine large animal patients including alpacas, llamas, pigs, sheep, and goats.

Cattle may be considered if an appropriate chute and stocks are present.

For emergency care, we ask that you schedule a preventative care appointment to establish care with us. Please be aware that transportation to the clinic may be required for emergency care of non-equines.

We are also happy to share that we will be working with Dr. Worley at Clover Valley to cover the missing areas of on-call coverage.

Call for more details or to schedule an appointment (360) 779-5557

09/18/2023

Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital is looking for safe temporary housing for veterinary interns. If you have a spare room, mother-in-law cottage, apartment, etc. that might be available for our future interns please give our office a call (360) 779-5557 to be added to our intern housing list.

09/12/2023

Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital is looking for individuals willing to help transport patients in medical need. If you are interested, please give our office a call (360) 779-5557 to be added to our Emergency Transport List. When you call, please make sure to provide your contact information and transportation fee.