Topline Equine Veterinary Inc.

12/06/2024

Following up with the last post regarding cool down time, make sure to always offer fresh water. Changing out buckets daily if possible is the best so you can ensure the water is clean. Also monitoring how much your horse drinks to make sure they aren't becoming dehydrated in cooler weather. Some horses may also enjoy some warmer water if the days are particularly cold.

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/06/2024

While here in California we don't get as cold as some other places, it's important to consider cool down time during winter rides. Especially horses with heavier coats or that have metabolic issues such as Cushings Disease.

As the weather cools down, allowing yourself an ample amount of time to cool out your horse after a cold ride is essential to ensure that you don’t jeopardize your horses' health by allowing them to catch a chill.

Our friends at Equus Magazine have some useful tips to share for cooling out your horses this winter. You can read the full article on their website at https://equusmagazine.com/riding/coolingout-10486/

11/22/2024

Day 7 and the final post for this series!
The most common reason for performing a pre-purchase exam (PPE) is to evaluate the horse's soundness. Lameness is the number one cause for loss of use in horses, so this is often the potential buyer's biggest concern and reason for having the horse evaluated.

Here's what you can expect during the lameness portion of the exam:

1. Initial check - The veterinarian will examine the legs for heat, swelling, or pain.
2. Movement - The horse will be observed in straight lines and circles at a walk and trot.
3. Flexion Test- Specific joints are flexed, and after, the horse is jogged for the veterinarian to spot any lameness.
4. Ridden Exam- Many vets like to observe the horse under saddle to spot subtle issues.

If no significant problems are discovered when evaluating the horse's gaits, the next step in the exam is often diagnostic imaging of the horse's legs. The most common imaging includes taking radiographs (X-rays) to evaluate the bones and joints and ultrasound to evaluate the soft tissues (tendons and ligaments). Whether you want to have X-rays and/or ultrasound performed as part of the PPE should be discussed with your veterinarian when you schedule the exam.

If you are looking to bring a new horse in to your program or in to your home and heart make sure to give us a call or shoot us an email so we can make sure you get the best!

11/21/2024

Day 6 of 7 ! Tomorrow is the final day in our Pre-purchase series brought to everyone by Dechra!

There are not as many horses being evaluated for purchase as breeding animals as horses for athletic purposes. The pre-purchase examination (PPE) for breeding is often much more specialized, concentrating on the horse, whether a mare or a stallion, having the normal anatomy and function of the reproductive tract.

Examining mares includes visually inspecting the external portions of the reproductive tract, including the mammary gland, and palpating and/or using ultrasound to view the internal reproductive organs. Samples may be obtained from the uterus to culture for any bacterial infections or to examine the uterus's lining to see if it can maintain a pregnancy.

For stallions, a similar type of examination may be done to evaluate the external reproductive organs, and a semen sample may be taken to assess the number, shape, and motility of the s***m cells. These exams determine the likelihood that the horse, whether a mare or stallion, can produce foals.

11/19/2024

Day 5 of 7!!
Horses have big hearts in both a literal and a figurative sense. Horses typically don't have heart problems as often as people or dogs, but evaluating the heart during a pre-purchase examination (PPE) is still important. During a PPE, your vet will listen to the horse's heart to determine if the heart is beating at a normal rate with a normal rhythm and to listen for any abnormal sounds like a heart murmur. It's also common to inspect the horse's jugular veins because, in rare instances, repeated intravenous injections can cause problems with clots or infections of these veins. Veterinarians have additional, more elaborate ways to evaluate the heart, including diagnostic ultrasound and electrocardiograms (ECG). Still, just as with the respiratory tract, these tools are not routinely used when doing a PPE.

11/18/2024

It's a very exciting Monday, we also want to wish Encore and Amy Miller of Will Mar Equestrian Center congratulations at their show over the weekend!!!

11/18/2024

Topline Equine turns 5 today!!! So many things have changed for the better since those early days!

11/18/2024

Day 4 of 7!
A healthy respiratory tract is essential for a horse's performance and well-being. During a pre-purchase exam (PPE), the upper and lower respiratory tracts are thoroughly checked using the following methods.

Upper Respiratory Tract:

Scoping - An endoscope examines the nostrils and throat to detect structural issues and breathing problems. The procedure is typically done while the horse is at rest, but newer dynamic endoscopes can be used while the horse exercises. *This is not something we do routinely unless the buyer is concerned with the horses airway prior to purchase.*

Lower Respiratory Tract:

Stethoscope - Your veterinarian will listen to the lungs for normal airflow and abnormal sounds.
Rebreathing bag - A large plastic bag is placed over the horse's nostrils to make them take deeper breaths, which can be used to detect abnormal sounds like coughing.

Stay tuned for our next post in the series, which will cover what to expect for the cardiovascular portion of the PPE.

11/17/2024

Day 3 of 7!
The pre-purchase exam (PPE) often begins with your veterinarian asking questions about the horse's use and medical history. The horse's history provides valuable information that your vet will use to focus the exam and help answer questions about the horse's overall health and soundness. The PPE aims to identify any health problems the horse has on the day of the examination, including problems that the horse was born with (e.g., some heart murmurs) and issues that have developed since birth (e.g., scarring on the cornea on the eye because of an ulcer).

Some things that your vet may cover during the general exam include using an ophthalmoscope to evaluate the horse's eyes, a stethoscope to listen to the heart and lungs, and thoroughly reviewing the horse to feel and look for anything considered abnormal.

11/16/2024

Day 2 of 7! The scope of a pre-purchase examination should be decided in a conversation with your veterinarian before the exam. Communicating your needs and intentions as a buyer is one of the most important parts of the exam and increases the chances of you getting the information that will help you decide on the purchase. Often, the exam scope depends on the current and/or intended use of the horse being considered for purchase. For example, the exam on a filly or mare intended for use as a broodmare would involve procedures quite different than for a horse intended to be used as a western performance or English sport horse. Once you and your veterinarian have agreed on the specifics of your wants and needs from the PPE, arrangements can be made with the seller to schedule the exam.
Some of the things we will ask when it comes to a pre purchase is your budget, the price of the horse and the purpose. Unless it's a foal, all horses will receive a flexions exam to test the lower limbs and make sure they are sound. If the buyer is not able to be present, we request they be by their phone through the entirety of the exam in case we need to do xrays or stop the exam for any reason. Stay tuned for day 3 tomorrow!

11/15/2024

Part 1 of a 7 part exciting series, detailing a pre-purchase examination and what to expect. Pre-purchase examinations (PPEs) are frequently performed to evaluate the health and soundness of horses before being purchased or leased. A veterinarian does the exam, which can range from a simple physical examination to an exam that includes various evaluations and diagnostic tests. The PPE is arranged by the potential horse buyer with the consent of the horse seller and can help identify problems the horse has and help guide the buyer's decision to purchase the horse. The buyer needs to recognize that the exam does not provide a "guarantee" for the horse; it is only an evaluation of that horse on the day of the exam and does not--and cannot--provide a prediction of that horse's future health or soundness. Our upcoming series will dive into what to expect from the various parts of the PPE.

11/15/2024

We at Topline want to wish the best of luck to BJN Dressage and PI Equestrian Center in Thermal this weekend at their show!! We can't wait to see all the ribbons you bring home!!

11/08/2024

Happy Friday!! As horse owners we always question our horses as to where the new wound came from! This guide is a good go to as to when to call the vet. If you are ever worried about a depth of a wound or overall size, it is best to call immediately. Horses are wonderful animals, but they are so accident prone.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing, and maintaining your presence of mind could save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency; how you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances, and on the advice you receive from your veterinarian.

07/31/2024

Foaling season has officially come to an end here at Topline with the most handsome little guy!!! Our very own Dr. Stadelmann brought baby Gael in to the world on July 19th!! Both mom and baby are doing amazing and Dr Stadelmann's dogs Zeke and Zoey are the best and most protective big siblings.

07/13/2024

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.

05/22/2024

We are gearing towards the end of breeding season and finishing up with some heartbeat checks of previously some bred mares.

01/23/2024

We are hoping everyone is staying as warm and dry s possible these rainy days