AVS Equine Medical and Surgical Hospital

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!

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

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)? You’ve probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that res...
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.

Wishing all our clients and their families a Happy Thanksgiving! Our office will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Fri...
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.

Yellowstone fans that are real horse people got a little confusing information on the Sunday, November 17, 2024 episode....
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.

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 D...
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!

To all who have served, Thank you for your resilience, commitment, and love for our country.Today, we honor the courage ...
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! ❤️🤍💙

News News News!!!🤍🐴
11/06/2024

News News News!!!🤍🐴

As the seasons change, so do the risks for our equine friends. 🍁 Laminitis can be a serious concern in the fall due to c...
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! 🍁💚

Daylight Savings ends today! While we may have enjoyed that extra hour of sleep today, early sunsets make riding, feedin...
11/03/2024

Daylight Savings ends today! While we may have enjoyed that extra hour of sleep today, early sunsets make riding, feeding, and other barn tasks a bit more challenging in the dark! Comment below any tips you’ve used to mitigate these shorter days!

Mark your calendars and give us a call to schedule! 850-386-3619
11/02/2024

Mark your calendars and give us a call to schedule! 850-386-3619

Happy Halloween from
10/31/2024

Happy Halloween from

TEAM AVS is leading the way to better health and performance for your horses now here at home at AVS Equine Hospital. TE...
10/22/2024

TEAM AVS is leading the way to better health and performance for your horses now here at home at AVS Equine Hospital. TEAM AVS is also leading the way into the future with scholarships, research and facilities for your horses and future equine veterinarians. 24/7/365 Always a step ahead for the horse!

Happy National Vet Tech Week to all techs but especially our incredible equine vet techs, Kaysie, Piper, MA, and Ava Lyn...
10/15/2024

Happy National Vet Tech Week to all techs but especially our incredible equine vet techs, Kaysie, Piper, MA, and Ava Lynne! Your dedication, compassion, and expertise make a world of difference in the care and well-being of our patients. We are so grateful for the hard work you put in every day, always going above and beyond. Keep shining bright and thank you for everything you do!🐴✨🤍

09/27/2024

Storm update : we are available for your Equine emergencies today and through the weekend. Our office is closed today. 850-386–3619 option 1 to reach our doctor On call. All other messages will be returned periodically as we check them. We hope all of our clients and patients were safe during the storm.

As we all prepare for Hurricane Helene we’d like to remind everyone that AVS Equine Hospital will close today at 12 o’cl...
09/26/2024

As we all prepare for Hurricane Helene we’d like to remind everyone that AVS Equine Hospital will close today at 12 o’clock noon. Our main focus as we await Helene is the safety of our patients, our clients and our staff. We will keep everyone updated via our social media platforms. For any equine emergencies please call our office 850-386-3619 option 1 to leave a message for our doctor on call.
We hope everyone is safe and sound during the storm.

Nebulization is an effective treatment method for a range of respiratory issues in horses, including allergies, asthma, ...
09/24/2024

Nebulization is an effective treatment method for a range of respiratory issues in horses, including allergies, asthma, and infections. Nebulization delivers medication directly into the lungs, which can reduce inflammation, relieve bronchospasms, and break up mucous. If your horse is having any respiratory issues make sure you get an accurate diagnosis before beginning any treatment. Team AVS has an elite group of equine veterinary technicians and doctors that have put you and your horses first for over 40 years. Team AVS is here for you 24/7/365.😊🏇🇺🇸

Here are some tips to help prepare your horses and your farm for the storm.Before the Storm Vaccinations: All horses sho...
09/24/2024

Here are some tips to help prepare your horses and your farm for the storm.
Before the Storm Vaccinations: All horses should have a tetanus toxoid vaccine within the last year. Due to the increase in mosquitoes after massive rainfall, all horses should also receive West Nile Virus and Eastern/Western Encephalitis vaccines at the beginning of the hurricane season.
Coggins Test: A negative Coggins will be necessary if the horse needs to be evacuated to a community shelter or across state lines. Health Certificate: A health certificate is required to cross the state line. This may be necessary if you live in a region that is near the SC/VA borders. A health certificate is valid for 30 days. Identification: Each horse should have at least 2 forms of identification (in case one is lost). Have proof of ownership, including recent photos of the horse including any identifying marks/scars/coloration, ready if you need to claim a loose horse. Examples of possible identifying methods include: • A well-fitted breakaway halter (a regular halter can trap a horse and possibly strangle them!) with contact information (can be in the form of a luggage tag, a metal ID tag, a zip lock bag secured with duct tape to the halter) • A luggage tag with ID braided into the mane or tail (make sure it is waterproof). • Livestock marker – write your phone number on the horse’s hindquarters with a waterproof livestock marker. • Microchip ID bands that go around the horse’s neck
Evacuation Plan: Hurricanes generally give us at least a day’s notice or two before encountering land. Make sure that you have a written evacuation plan for your horses, especially if you are in a low-lying area, a flood plain, near water, or are near the coast. If you are in the path of the hurricane, it is highly recommended to evacuate prior to the storm, as transportation with horses when wind gusts are over 40mph is hazardous. Decide at which point you will evacuate (for a category 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 storm?). Also prioritize NOW which horses will be evacuated in what order if you will have to make more than one trip. Determine two evacuation centers (in opposite directions). • Ensure that your truck and horse trailer are ready for travel (tires in good condition, etc.). Ensure that the vehicle is full of gas. • Water: Power loss often occurs with hurricanes, and many horse farms may find that they are unable to provide water to their horses. Each horse should have 12-20 gallons of water stored per day. Fill all available water troughs. Be creative with your water resources! Line garbage cans and various storage bins or many buckets with plastic
contractor bags and fill them with water. Consider a generator to run the well if you have large numbers of horses. • Feed: Store a minimum of 72 hours of feed and hay (seven days is best) per horse. It is very possible that roads will be closed because of down power lines and trees and that you will not have access to feed for a period after the storm. Cover hay with waterproof tarps and store on pallets. Keep grain in watertight containers in the event of flooding.
Farm Preparation: Secure all moveable objects. Remove all items from hallways. Secure jumps, lawn furniture, etc. in a secure place. Place all large vehicles/tractors/trailers in an open field where trees cannot fall on them. Turn off electrical power to the barn to avoid any potential fire hazards with power surges or lightning strikes. Secure all gates. Ensure that all emergency tools are working properly and readily available. These include: Chain saw (and fuel!) Hammer/nails Fence repair materials Wire cutters/toolbox/pry bar Fire extinguisher Duct tape Fuel for generator/tractor
Emergency First Aid Kit: Make sure that you have an emergency first aid kit ready and accessible (and waterproof!). Have any medications that a horse will need easily accessible and ensure that you have enough to get you through the storm and the aftermath. Some items that should be included: Bandages (leg wraps and quilts) Antiseptics Scissors/knife. • Topical antibiotic ointments Tranquilizers • Pain relievers (bute, banamine, etc.) • Flashlight with extra batteries • Extra halters/lead ropes • Clean towels Fly spray/swat
During the Storm In or Out? Should horses be left in the pasture or in the barn? Recommendations from the American Association of Equine Practitioners say that if the pasture has good fencing and limited trees, it is probably best to leave horses outside. Well-constructed pole-barns or concrete block barns may provide safety from flying debris, but the horses may become trapped if the wind collapses the building. If you have a sturdy shelter with access to a small, safe paddock, this would be ideal. A horse could escape the building if needed into a safe area. Keep horses out of pastures and areas with electrical lines. If these come down, they can electrocute the animals nearby. Trees with shallow roots will fall easily under hurricane force winds and can injure horses or destroy fencing. Do not keep horses in areas secured by barbed wire, electrical wire, or high tensile wire during a hurricane. Fire ants and snakes will search for high ground during flooding. Keep this in mind when selecting an area to keep your horses if they are to remain in pasture.
After the Storm Inspect Animals: Carefully inspect all horses for injuries, focusing particularly on the eyes and limbs.
Inspect Property: Look for down power lines, fence damage, and misc. debris. Take photos of storm damage to present to insurance companies. Missing Horse?: If your horse is missing, contact your local county animal control, sheriff’s department, or disaster response team.

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9085 Magnolia Hill Drive
Tallahassee, FL
32309

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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!