Deer Creek Equine Clinic

07/24/2024

The summer heat and sun won't be letting up any time soon, so make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your horse protected this summer.

07/17/2024

07/11/2024

It's National Farriers Week! Let's celebrate the hard work that our farriers put in daily to partner with equine veterinarians and ensure the health and well-being of our horses. Proper hoof care is essential for a sound and happy horse, so it goes without saying that a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset.

Don't forget to give a shoutout to your farriers this week and show them your appreciation for their dedication to their craft!

07/10/2024

Veterinarians from UC Davis offer 10 important tips to prevent heat-related problems in horses:

07/01/2024

The Fourth of July is almost here, and many horse owners are concerned about how their horses might react to loud fireworks. 🎆

In the graphic below are some tips to keep your pets and equine companions safe during the festivities.

If your horses are staying out overnight, now is a good time to check fencing and look for any hazards like rocks, branches, or holes that could lead to injury if an animal starts running. If you have a high level of concern about your horse's response, consult your veterinarian about the appropriateness of calming agents and sedatives in advance.

No matter what your plans are, please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so everyone may enjoy the celebration.

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

06/24/2024

Isn't it amazing how much healing can happen within a month?

This mare came in with a large laceration and puncture wound to her neck, in addition to many smaller lacerations on her chest, stomach, and legs. Due to the area and the amount of damage, sutures were not an option. So, Dr. Arledge opted to wrap it instead! The owner did an amazing job managing this wound between checkups and it definitely shows in the progress pictures!

06/12/2024

To suture or not to suture? Sometimes, that is the question!

Sutures help speed up the healing time of a wound, but not all wounds can be closed via stitches. Factors for you and your vet to consider would include the age of the wound, the extent of tissue damage, the amount of contamination/foreign material present, the potential for infection, and the blood supply to the area.

Dr. McGrain saw this mare on an emergency call back in August. This large, deep wound behind the horse's elbow was not able to be stitched due to the shape and the amount of damage. Instead, her wound was kept clean and wrapped in order to allow her body to heal without the aid of sutures. Upon recheck, the wound had granulated in enough to switch to a topical treatment. 6 months later, the wound had fully healed and all of the hair had grown back.

We love seeing successful cases like this and we're so glad this mare is doing better!

06/05/2024

05/22/2024

Foaling season is in full swing!

This adorable Gypsy Vanner filly, Raya, came to us after failing her initial IgG test. In order for her to have the antibodies that she needs, she was given plasma, and we are happy to report that she is feisty and thriving!

05/14/2024

Are you preparing to send your veterinarian a photo of your horse’s most recent injury? Consider these tips first.

04/25/2024

What does it mean when your veterinarian says your horse is “grade 3 lame”? The answer lies in the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ lameness scale.

04/10/2024

04/05/2024

Smile! It's Friday! :)

03/25/2024

'Tis the season to be hairy (horse owners)!

If, however, you notice that your horse is clinging to their winter coat longer than they should, it might be time to give your veterinarian a call — especially if your horse is 15+.

A long haircoat that fails to shed according to normal seasonal patterns is the most classic sign of Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease. This disorder of the pituitary gland results in hormonal imbalances and is one of the most common diseases of middle-aged and geriatric horses.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping horses with PPID live long, happy lives. Without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time and many horses are euthanized as a consequence of laminitis, recurrent foot abscesses or complications related to bacterial infections.

03/18/2024

Horses are known for their big hearts, both figuratively and functionally, but what makes the equine heart so special?

03/04/2024

Learn about five kinds of equine colic and their prognoses.

02/29/2024

02/26/2024

Discover how each region of your horse's digestive system works in this visual guide.

02/22/2024

‘Tis the season! If you have a mare close to foaling here are some important guidelines from AAEP.

02/19/2024

While routine tooth floatings are important, the veterinary oral exam is the most valuable part of dental care.

02/12/2024

Millie takes her supervisor position very seriously!

02/08/2024

Are your horse's teeth due for a float?
We still have availability for dentals this month, where you can receive 10% off of the cost of the sedation and the float. Please call the office to set up an appointment!

Don't miss out! This February, Deer Creek Equine is offering 10% off of floats and the sedation used during the dental exam. Please call into the office to set up an appointment!

02/06/2024

The calendars are in! Swing by the Deer Creek office to grab one out of the brown drop-off box!

02/01/2024

Applying ointment to a horse's eye can be tricky! Here's a video with some tips!

01/29/2024

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

01/25/2024

We’ve compiled a science-based list of nonriding activities to help keep you and your horse busy during these cold winter months.