Barrow Veterinary Service

Home
United States
Social Circle, GA
Barrow Veterinary Service

The veterinary practice by horse people for horse people, offering performance & medical care for your noblest companions. Always there when you need us.

We have regular office hours as well as avaiable 24-hour emergency care for all breeds and disciplines of horses. Our services include Sports Medicine & Lameness, Podiatry, Digital Radiography, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, Preventative Medicine, Neonatology, Ophthalmology, Regenerative Medicine, and Dentistry. We also offer Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. We maintain a professional, confid

ential client relationship within a friendly, service-based atmosphere. Our main office is staffed from 8am - 5pm Monday through Friday. There is always doctor on call for those things that can't, or shouldn't wait. Emergencies will be seen in order of urgency. We strive for total customer satisfaction. We do that by maintaining the health, soundness, and happiness of your horses at fair prices and with honest communication. Let us show you why you won't be disappointed.

12/25/2025

🎅🎄Wishing you a Merry Christmas from Barrow Veterinary Services. While we won't be dashing through the snow, we hope you enjoy the festive spirit.

🎅🎄Our office will be closed today and tomorrow, allowing our staff to spend time with their loved ones. If you require emergency assistance, please call the main office to reach Dr. Barrow.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas Eve from BVS! Let us know if we can help with that new Christmas Pony😂🎄🎅

🎄Available by emergency December 24th, 25th and 26th. Call 770-464-0890 if you need assistance.

12/23/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Barrow Veterinary Service!

12/18/2025

🩺🐴 Case of the Week – Choke in Horses 🐴🩺

This week’s case was choke, a condition where feed becomes lodged in the esophagus. Although the term can sound alarming, horses with choke can usually still breathe. That said, choke is always a veterinary emergency and should be addressed promptly.

What happens during choke?
When material becomes stuck in the esophagus, saliva and feed can’t pass normally. This leads to discomfort and the characteristic signs many owners recognize. If not treated quickly, choke can result in complications such as esophageal irritation or aspiration pneumonia if feed or saliva enters the airway.

Common signs of choke include:
• Feed or saliva draining from the nostrils
• Repeated coughing, gagging, or retching
• Stretching or lowering the neck
• Anxiety or discomfort
• Difficulty swallowing

Why does choke occur?
• Horses eating too quickly
• Dry or poorly soaked feeds
• Coarse hay or feed pellets
• Dental problems that prevent proper chewing
• Limited access to water

What should you do if you suspect choke?
✔ Remove all feed immediately
✔ Keep the horse calm and quiet
✔ Call your veterinarian right away
❌ Do not give water, oil, or attempt to flush the esophagus yourself

Prevention tips:
• Ensure regular dental care
• Slow down fast eaters (feed pans with obstacles, smaller meals)
• Soak pelleted feeds when appropriate
• Provide constant access to clean water

Early intervention leads to the best outcomes and helps prevent serious complications. If you ever suspect choke, Barrow Veterinary Service is just a call away — we’re always happy to help.

12/17/2025

🩺🐴 Case of the Week 🐴🩺
Any guesses what’s going on in this photo? 👀
Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
We’ll share the answer and a little behind-the-scenes info tomorrow.

12/16/2025

Barrow Veterinary Service will be closing today at 4:30 PM so our team can celebrate the season together at our staff Christmas party.
Thank you for your understanding and for allowing us time to celebrate our hardworking crew. We wish you and your horses a joyful holiday season!

12/09/2025

This week is a special week at BVS because we are celebrating two of our own!

Happy Birthday to Chaos Coordinator Ariel Smith, thank you for all you do for our team and all of our clients!

Happy Birthday to one of our newest staff members, Noel Pickel, we all hope you survive your 21st!

Please help me wish 2 of our amazing staff at BVS Happy Birthdays...

11/27/2025

“Gratitude in Every Call”

From sunrise farm calls in the frosty autumn air,
To late-night checks on patients who need a little extra care—
Thanksgiving reminds us, as our work carries on,
Of the blessings found in every pasture, every barn, every dawn.

We’re grateful for the hoofbeats that greet us on the drive,
For the colic we caught early and kept a horse alive.
For the laminitis cases slowly finding their way back,
And the sweet old geldings standing patient for their hock injections and snacks.

For foals learning bravely that vaccines aren’t so bad,
For the mares who nuzzle pockets like every treat is theirs to be had.
For clients who meet us with coffee on those extra-long days—
Your kindness warms our hearts in more ways than we can say.

So here’s to good health, full barns, and horses feeling their best,
To the trust you place in us each time we’re put to the test.
This Thanksgiving, know our gratitude runs deep and true—
For every horse we treat… and for clients like you. 🧡🐴

11/24/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Barrow Veterinary Service!

11/19/2025

EHV Outbreak Alert

• Possible exposure of EHM/EHV-1 at WPRA event in Waco, Texas that took place Nov. 5-9th
• If your horse(s) were at the event or has come into contact with any horse(s) that were at that event, you should quarantine at home for at least 14 days. Temperature should be monitored daily, with 101.5 triggering a call to your veterinarian.

EHV Transmission Facts
• Direct contact between horses
• Inhaling aerosolized particles from nasal secretions
• Contact with contaminated equipment, ie stalls, water buckets, bits.
• Humans can also act as carriers by touching infected horses and then noninfected horses.
• Horses can act as carriers and spread the virus without appearing sick.

EHV Biosecurity Facts
• Isolate horses that are sick or exposed or returning from events.
• Prevent any nose to nose touching or other direct contact.
• Do not share equipment.
• Disinfect water buckets, feed buckets, stall cleaning equipment and trailers using bleach 10% solution. DO NOT submerge water hoses in buckets and clean hose.
• Wash hands between all horses. Change clothes and sanitize between handling horses that are quarantined and any other horses on the property.
EHV Monitoring and Health
• Symptoms can include: fever, nasal discharge, cough or neurologic signs like hind leg weakness or ataxia.
• Temperatures greater than 101.5F should be reported to your veterinarian.
• Vaccination with EHV 1&4 routinely (every 6 months).
o Horses that are exposed should not be vaccinated during their quarantine.
o Vaccination may be advised by your veterinarian during an outbreak. Consult with them on type and frequency.
o There are no vaccines currently available for EHM (EHV 1 mutation). There is no consensus for whether vaccination with EHV 1&4 are recommended.

As always, please reach to Barrow Veterinary Service with any questions or concerns with travel and the health of your equine companions.

11/18/2025

👑 Happy National Princess Day from Barrow Veterinary Service! 👑

Every clinic has that one true royal… and here, her majesty is none other than Honey Cat.

From gracefully supervising paperwork to judging us from her throne (aka the warmest spot in the clinic), Honey Cat keeps the team in line with a perfect blend of cattitude and charm. 😼✨

Today we celebrate the real princess who rules our barn aisle — and our hearts. 💛

Drop a pic of your barn princess (horse, dog, cat, goat… we don’t judge royal lineage)! 👑📸

— Barrow Veterinary Service 💙🐴

11/14/2025

🧠🐴 Let’s Talk About Cushing’s Disease (PPID) in Horses
What every horse owner should know

Cushing’s disease — formally called Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) — is one of the most common endocrine disorders we diagnose in older horses. It happens when the pituitary gland becomes overactive and produces excessive hormones, which in turn disrupt many body systems.

Here’s what that means for your horse:

🔍 Common Signs of PPID

PPID can look different from horse to horse, but these are some of the most consistent clues:

A long, wavy, or non-shedding haircoat (hirsutism)

Muscle loss, especially along the topline

Increased drinking and urination

Chronic or recurring laminitis

Pot-bellied appearance

Lethargy or decreased athletic performance

Recurrent skin infections, hoof infections, or delayed wound healing

Excessive sweating

If your horse is showing more than one of these signs, it may be time to test.

🧪 How PPID Is Diagnosed

Your veterinarian can diagnose PPID with:

A baseline ACTH blood test, or

A TRH stimulation test, which can detect earlier or more subtle cases

These tests help us understand how overactive the pituitary gland has become and guide the best treatment plan.

💊 Treatment & Management

While PPID can’t be cured, it can be successfully managed. The most common medication is pergolide, which helps regulate hormone production.

Most horses respond extremely well with:

Improved energy

Better coat quality

Reduced laminitis risk

Fewer infections

Alongside medication, supportive care is key:
✔️ Regular dental and hoof care
✔️ Deworming and vaccination plans tailored to their immune status
✔️ Appropriate diet (often low sugars/starches)
✔️ Body clipping for horses who don’t shed well

❤️ The Good News

With early detection and consistent management, horses with PPID can live long, comfortable, active lives. Many continue riding, competing, and enjoying normal routines.

If you think your horse may be showing early signs — or you just want a wellness check as they age — we’re here to help.

Barrow Veterinary Service
Keeping your horses healthy at every stage of life. 🐴✨

Address

PO Box 126 * 826 Knox Chapel Road, Social Circle
Social Circle, GA
30025

Telephone

+17704640890

Website

http://www.barrowvets.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Barrow Veterinary Service posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Barrow Veterinary Service:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service in Social Circle?

Our Story

Barrow Veterinary Service has regular office hours as well as available 24-hour emergency care for all breeds and disciplines of horses. Haul in or ambulatory service is available. Our services include Lameness, Podiatry, Sports Medicine, Radiography, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, Wellness, Neonatology, Ophthalmology, Regenerative Medicine, and Dentistry. We are also a full-service reproductive facility offering broodmare management, foaling packages, and stallion training, evaulation, collection & shipping, and preservation/storage. In addition, Vacation Boarding for client horses can be arranged for short-term stays up to one month, based on availability. We maintain a professional, confidential client relationship within a friendly, service-based atmosphere. The 28-acre facility is easy to access for even large trailers, and is gated for equine safety. Our staff are horse owners within a variety of disciplines, so we “speak your language” when it comes to knowledge and communication. Our main office is staffed from 8am - 5pm Monday through Friday. There is always doctor on call for those things that can't, or shouldn't, wait. Emergencies will be seen in order of urgency. We strive for total customer satisfaction. We do that by maintaining the health, soundness, and happiness of your horses with the latest medical knowledge & treatments plus honest communication. Let us show you why you won't be disappointed.