Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics

12/25/2024

Wishing you and your family all the joy of the season!

As always, Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics veterinary team members are on call 24-7-365 for Equine Emergencies.

12/23/2024

There's lots of Holiday spirit at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics!

12/19/2024

We captured a few of the very best "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" worn by Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics team members today ... Please cast your votes!

12/18/2024

Diagnosis: Equine Granulosa Cell Tumors (GCTs)

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are common, typically benign ovarian tumors in mares, causing behavioral changes (aggression, stallion-like traits) and irregular estrous cycles. Diagnostics include ultrasound imaging to detect an enlarged o***y +/- hormonal testing to confirm elevated levels of inhibin, testosterone, or anti-Müllerian hormone.

Treatment: Standing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy

Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy is the gold standard for removing affected ovaries. This minimally invasive procedure is superior to traditional surgical intervention because it offers:
* Lower complication rates
* Small incisions which lead to a better cosmetic appearance
* Reduced recovery time

If your mare shows signs of hormonal imbalance or unusual behavior, please contact Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics to consult with one of our equine veterinarians for an early diagnosis and treatment plan.

The procedure depicted here was recently performed by Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics Director of Surgery Dr. Nick Carlson , Surgical Resident Dr. Pricilla Brown, Intern Dr. Jewel Randolph, and Veterinary Assistant Madison Scott.

Facebook is not allowing the photo of the tumors that were removed to be seen until/unless you click on it -- "This photo may contain violent or graphic content ... This photo does not go against our standards, so you can choose to see it" (by clicking on it a couple of times).

Also, please see Comments section for a video of the procedure in progress.

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12/10/2024

Dr. Amy Rand and Dr. Zach Loppnow are representing Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics at the 70th annual AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) convention in Orlando, Florida. The 2024 year's event is titled “Unveil the Magic of Equine Practice” and features 3 ½ days of educational sessions covering more than 20 topic areas in equine veterinary medicine and daily practice life.

12/03/2024

https://www.platinumperformance.com/articles/sleep-deprivation-in-horses.html?j=1231270&sfmc_sub=5567149&l=11_HTML&u=17936640&mid=110007888&jb=10001&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4620_Marketing_US_Client_Equine_Article_Vol30A4Sleep&utm_term=Read_Full_Article_button_sleep&sfmc_id=5567149&sfmc_sk=0038000001k5v0TAAQ

Signs of sleep deprivation include behavioral changes, diminished performance and repeated injuries and lacerations. Learn more from a leading veterinarian.

11/28/2024

Wishing everyone -- and every equine - a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11/17/2024

Today is International Students Day, so it's timely that we just received these great photos! Back in September, Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics Chief Operating Officer Alexandra Eastman, MS, DVM gave a talk to a group of Japanese vet tech students visiting California from Yamazaki Professional College of Animal Health Technology. Dr. Eastman talked about vet tech and vet assistant roles in equine practice. Her talk was translated live and on paper for the students’ notes.

11/10/2024

A friend just gave me a bunch of persimmons from her tree. I don't much like them, so I wondered: Should I feed persimmons to my horse?

NO! DO NOT FEED PERSIMMONS TO HORSES!

“Persimmon trees... produce a fruit that’s often enticing to horses and other equids. Consuming this fruit, however, can be deadly; its fibers and seeds can create an obstruction within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in potentially serious impaction colic.”
— Casie Bazay, NBCAAM, The Horse

Learn more at:
https://thehorse.com/120666/persimmon-ingestion-and-colic-a-retrospective-study

11/08/2024

Espia is a 16-year-old Andalusian-TB cross gelding who was diagnosed with arthritis in his neck 2 years ago and received intra-articular injections of corticosteroids and Legend in his facet joints after diagnosis that made a marked difference in his comfort level and performance.

Over the past few months, Espia had begun to exhibit increasing levels of stiffness and soreness, so the decision was made to repeat the injections on both sides of his neck, into facets between C3-C4, C5-C6, and C6-7 (based on his radiographs). When injecting facet joints in the cervical spine, an ultrasound is used to guide the needle into the correct anatomical location as these joints cannot be injected by using palpation or landmarks as is common for other injections (hocks, coffin joints, etc).

Espia’s veterinary "dream team" included SPEC's Dr. Nick Carlson, Dr. Laramie Winfield, Surgical Resident Dr. Pricilla Brown, RVT Shay Magditch, and Veterinary Assistant Tricia Azevedo.

Intra-articular joint injections are primarily used to reduce inflammation, thus slowing disease progression, facilitating the body's natural repair processes, and relieving pain. Horses can exhibit a wide variety of clinical signs when experiencing neck pain including stiffness, reluctance to move forward, difficulty bending, generalized poor performance, and at times reactive/unpredictable behavior likely from pain. While corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid blends are among the most common medications veterinarians recommend for these injections, biologic compounds are becoming more popular, including regenerative therapeutics such as Prostride, PRP based products, Alpha 2 macroglobulin, and Renovo. Non-biological options such as Arthramid can also be very effective in some horses. As the number of available options for intra-articular injections has increased dramatically in recent years, we encourage you to discuss different options with your veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.

To learn more about equine arthritis and how best to treat it, please contact your veterinarian or call Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics in Salinas at (831) 455-1808 or in Menlo Park at (650) 854-3162.

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10/31/2024

Happy Halloween! Big Bad Wolf Dr. Zach Loppnow and the Three Pigs... er... Interns - Drs. Amy Rand, Tara Baiano, and Jewel Randolph - are at the clinic and ready to scare you -- but promise NOT to scare your horses!

10/16/2024

Izzy is an 8-year-old mare who was having some issues with head tossing and apparent discomfort with the bit. Once the cause was diagnosed as “blind wolf teeth,” Dr. Nick Carlson, Director of Surgery at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, performed a specialized surgical extraction. Dr. Carlson was assisted by SPEC Veterinary Assistant Madison Scott. The procedure was performed at Morning Sun Ranch in Watsonville, Izzy’s home barn.

What are WOLF TEETH?

> Wolf teeth are the first premolar teeth in horses, usually erupting between 5 and 12 months of age just in front of the first cheek teeth.

> Functional as grinding teeth in early equines millions of years ago, wolf teeth are now vestigial, serving no chewing function in modern horses.

> Approximately 70% of horses develop wolf teeth, which can cause pain and lead to avoidance behaviors if not removed early on from horses that will be ridden or driven with a bit.

What are BLIND WOLF TEETH?

> Most wolf teeth are visible, but “blind wolf teeth” remain concealed beneath the gum surface and often go undetected until the horse’s behavior suggests pain or discomfort.

> Blind wolf teeth can be detected using radiology (x-rays).

> While removal of normal (exposed) wolf teeth is a standard dental procedure, the extraction of blind wolf teeth is a more complex surgical procedure.

Learn more about wolf teeth in horses at: https://www.theequestrian.co/blogs/news/wolf-teeth-in-horses
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10/15/2024

Dr. Jennifer Williams led a Radiology CE (Continuing Education) course at the Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic in Menlo Park, last week. The doctors learned best practices for taking x-rays, proper positions for limb and skull radiography, and how to make corrections in technique to obtain the best diagnostic images. The veterinary assistants and technicians learned proper plate holding safety and plate positioning.

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10/11/2024

Don't miss the Woodside Day of the Horse Celebration this weekend - Friday, October 11th through Sunday, October 13th!

Get the full scoop at https://whoa94062.org/day-of-the-horse/

10/05/2024

Drs. Alex and Tim Eastman are on-site, together, this weekend, to care for the horses participating in the Woodside Fall International Horse Trials at The Horse Park at Woodside.

09/25/2024

Work with your veterinarian and watch for signs of these 5 health conditions when you’re trying a horse to buy.

09/21/2024

09/19/2024

Espia was pleased to be asked to model again, this year, in our reminder that it’s time for FALL VACCINES and other ANNUAL PREVENTIVE EQUINE HEALTHCARE PROCEDURES...

If he had known that he was gonna get "the works"-- including his annual flu-rhino vaccine, rabies vaccine, dental float, sheath cleaning, and a blood draw to test for his levels of selenium and vitamin E -- Espia might not have been quite so eager ... But we are pleased to report that he was very well behaved for all of it!

Pictured are: 2024-25 Intern Dr. Amy Rand doing vaccinations and blood draw, Dr. Nick Carlson performing a very mindful and mellow dental float, and Veterinary Assistant Maddie Scott. Espia sends a big thank you to one and all for being so kind and gentle with him.

To schedule your own horse’s PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE appointment — or a GROUP VACCINATION CLINIC for your facility — please call your nearest Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic Office:
> Salinas - (831) 455-1808 - Salinas, Monterey Bay Area, Santa Cruz
> Menlo Park - (650) 854-3162 - San Francisco Bay Area, Peninsula, East Bay, Santa Clara County
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