AVS Equine Medical and Surgical Hospital

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AVS Equine Medical and Surgical Hospital

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from AVS Equine Medical and Surgical Hospital, Veterinarian, 9085 Magnolia Hill Drive, Tallahassee, FL.

For over 35 years, AVS Equine Hospital has been synonymous in the North Florida, Georgia and Alabama region with excellence in veterinary care.We welcome the opportunity to provide you and your horse with the best care -24 Hours a Day-Always!

04/11/2025

MIDWEEK MYTHBUSTER! 📢

Many people think that horses can safely eat grass clippings (grass is grass, right?) but that is a pretty common misconception and grass clippings actually pose a number of dangers to our equine friends.

While grass is meant to be slowly picked, ripped and chewed by the horse, grass clippings can quickly clump and cause choke if the animal ingests too many too fast. Grass clippings are also prone to fermentation which can cause colic, stomach and intestinal impactions, founder and laminitis.

Take-home message: Keep your horse away from grass clippings and in general never feed horses any food without the owner’s permission.

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

04/09/2025

Spring checklist time!

03/28/2025

🐴 Equine Gastric Ulcers: What Every Horse Owner Should Know 🐴
Did you know that up to 90% of performance horses may suffer from gastric ulcers? These painful sores in the stomach lining can affect horses of all ages and disciplines. Signs can be subtle—like a dull coat, weight loss, or changes in behavior—or more obvious, such as colic or poor appetite.
The good news? Gastric ulcers are preventable and treatable! Here are some tips to keep your horse healthy:
* Provide frequent, small meals with plenty of forage.
* Minimize stress from travel or changes in routine.
* Avoid prolonged use of certain medication’s without veterinary guidance.
If you suspect your horse might have ulcers, don’t wait—schedule a consultation with us today. Together, we can ensure your equine partner stays happy, healthy, and ready to perform at their best! 🐎💙

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️ We hope your day is filled with extra time in the saddle, or in the stable with your horse!

01/21/2025

Due to the inclement weather conditions in our area, and for the safety of our staff, the office will be closed on Wednesday, January 21. We will be available for emergencies, 850-386-3619 Option 1.

01/12/2025

AVS Equine January 2025 Newsletter. Shockwave Therapy is now available at AVS Equine! Updates to our Standards of Care to better serve you and your horses. Mark your calendars with our farm travel dates. Learn some cold weather tips for your horses from your veterinary team!

01/10/2025

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

12/31/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Reminder that our office will be closed tomorrow, New Year’s Day. As always, we are available for your equine emergencies 24/7. We look forward to caring for your equine companions in 2025!
As you think about 2025 resolutions for yourself, remember to consider your horses too!
We’d love to know…if your horse could make their own new years resolution for 2025, what would it be? Comment below!

12/24/2024

Wishing all of our clients and their families a very Merry 🎄 Christmas ✨This is a friendly reminder of our holiday hours:

December 24th - Christmas Eve - our office will close at 12 noon, we will be available for emergencies 124/7
December 25th and 26th- our office will be closed to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. We will be available for emergencies 24/7.

Should you need to come in for an emergency visit, please call us at 850-386-3619 option 1.

12/03/2024

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You’ve probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in “snotty noses,” but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease, and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

11/28/2024

Wishing all our clients and their families a Happy Thanksgiving! Our office will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29. We are available for your equine emergencies 24/7/365.

11/26/2024

Yellowstone fans that are real horse people got a little confusing information on the Sunday, November 17, 2024 episode. This popular show appears to take pride in its western production on being very authentic - yet some how they had a BIG mistake with treating a horse with intramuscular Banamine.
What is the BIG deal? In this Yellowstone episode a horse was administered Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) intramuscularly. Yet the nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory is only administered orally (in the mouth) or intravenously (in the vein). Remember Banamine is never recommend to be administered to horses any other way.
Why not? Banamine causes muscle damage when injected intramuscularly! There are spores of bacteria known as clostridium that can rest in healthy muscle; however, the bacteria may awaken if the muscle becomes damaged from an IM injection particularly when Banamine is administered this way. This may cause clostridial myositis - which is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. Post injection signs of a problem would be swelling and a painful injection site with gas underneath the skin. The bacterial toxins may migrate into the bloodstream causing depression, colic, fever and a lose of appetite.
Treatment by a licensed DVM is necessary if you make this mistake. Supportive care, antibiotics, and possibly a surgical excision of the infected injected site may be necessary.
This episode of Yellowstone was a good reminder - what is entertaining may not always be real and correct. Check with your equine veterinarian if you are unsure how to administer Banamine.

11/15/2024

This is why when you find a nail in your horse’s foot that you don’t just pull it out! As tempting as it may be, DON’T DO IT! Without x-rays, yes this means bringing him to your veterinarian, one can not possibly know what internal structures may be affected. Likewise, if the nail was pulled, but you only see part of it, how do you know if the horse stepped on a broken nail, or that it broke off inside the hoof? So what should be done? Take a bunch of rags, newspapers, foam board, anything that can build the hoof up off the ground and wrap it with duct tape.

11/12/2024

Simon is ready to deliver some packages with his favorite driver in Tallahassee, FL!

11/11/2024

To all who have served, Thank you for your resilience, commitment, and love for our country.
Today, we honor the courage of our veterans who have answered our nation’s call to service. THANK YOU! ❤️🤍💙

11/06/2024

News News News!!!🤍🐴

11/05/2024

As the seasons change, so do the risks for our equine friends. 🍁 Laminitis can be a serious concern in the fall due to changes in pasture sugars and cooler weather. Keep an eye on your horse’s diet and monitor for any signs of discomfort. 🐴

Stay proactive and keep your horses healthy and happy!

Here are some tips to keep your horses safe and healthy:

Monitor Pasture Intake: Fall pastures can be high in sugars, which can trigger laminitis.

Regular Check-Ups: Schedule a vet visit to ensure your horse’s hooves are in top shape.

Watch for Signs: Be alert for any signs of discomfort or lameness. Take any signs of footsoreness very seriously.

Let’s keep our horses happy and thriving this fall! 🍁💚

Address

9085 Magnolia Hill Drive
Tallahassee, FL
32309

Telephone

+18503863619

Website

https://www.avsequinehospital.com/?y_source=1_MTMzMjI3MzktNDQwLWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D

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Videos

Welcome to the Team Dr. Golden! Dr. Melissa Golden graduated from the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Golden completed an equine rotating internship at Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center, a referral hospital in Arizona. Dr. Golden participated in evaluation, treatment and continued care of a variety of cases including colics, lacerations, and emergencies. Dr. Golden's professional interests include ambulatory medicine and dental care. #newvet #teeth #vetlife #horse #avsequine

🐴Did you know horses can suffer from stomach ulcers? Let’s dive into this common health issue affecting our equine friends! 🔍Ulcers are sores in a horse’s stomach lining that can be caused by stress, certain medications, and a diet high in grains. Understanding the causes is key to prevention!🌾. 🚨Look out for signs like poor appetite, weight loss, changes in behavior, and decreased performance. Recognizing these symptoms early can lead to timely intervention!🏥. 🩺Seeking proper diagnosis and treatment from a veterinarian is crucial for horses with ulcers. Professional guidance ensures the best care for our beloved horses! 💖. 🌿To keep your horse healthy and happy, consider feeding smaller, more frequent meals, providing plenty of turnout time, and managing stress levels. Prevention is always better than cure!🍎 • • • • • • • #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #horsephoto #horseaddict #ulcers #ulcer #avsequinehospital

🐴✨Witness the healing journey of one of our young patients who presented with an emergency laceration. Our skilled Dr. Fisch performed a meticulous laceration repair on this yearling, ensuring a swift recovery. At AVS Equine Hospital, we prioritize the wellbeing of every horse in our care. 🏥💖 #Avsequine #HorseVet #EquineHealth #LacerationRepair #VeterinaryCare

Thank you to all of our friends and clients all over the Tri-state area for trusting TEAM AVS with your horses since January 1984. Your trust helped us grow from 1 truck with a Dr. & technician in 1984 to the only full service equine hospital within 150 miles of Tallahassee. Thanks to all of you, it’s been 40 great years and the best is yet to come. #avsequinehospital #40years #equine #equinevet #happybirthday#tallahasseehorsevet

AVS Equine Hospital will be closed for scheduled appointments 1/1/2024. As always, we are here for your equine emergencies 24H/365D 850-386-3619 Happy New Year 2024! #avsequinehospital #happynewyear

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Welcome to AVS Equine Hospital

For over 35 years, AVS Equine Medical & Surgical Hospital has been synonymous in the North Florida, Georgia and Alabama region with excellence in veterinary care. AVS Equine has always strived to provide a positive experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine for our clients, our patients, and our staff. We are committed to providing superior advanced medical services coupled with exceptional customer satisfaction while remembering to respect ourselves, our co-workers, our clientele, and most of all the horses we care for.

We welcome the opportunity to provide you and your horse with the best possible care.

24 Hours a Day - Always!