Montana Equine Medical and Surgical Center

07/31/2024

Did you know that horses can suffer from photosensitivity? It's a serious skin condition that can be triggered by a dangerous mix of certain plants and UV light, causing extreme skin sensitivity.

Here are some of the most common culprit plants:
👉 Alsike clover
👉 Buckwheat
👉 Giant Hogweed
👉 St. John's Wort


Watch out for these signs of photosensitivity in your horse:
👉 Immediate discomfort and agitation in sunlight
👉 Rubbing or scratching of lightly pigmented or exposed skin
👉 Lesions in vulnerable areas

Photosensitivity is particularly present in lightly pigmented or non-pigmented horses, or areas with less hair. If you suspect photosensitivity, take horses off the pasture and evaluate for problem plants. It’s always a good idea to routinely inspect pastures all season!

07/30/2024

You ask, our vets answer! Here’s another question from our Ask the Vet series!

Q: “What are your vets’ opinions on physiotherapy for horses for conditioning/ injury prevention and post-surgical treatment?” -Makayla
A: “Physiotherapy and rehabilitation is a huge part of recovery and training for all equine athletes. Any time I evaluate a horse for performance, I discuss possible exercises for improving posture, strength, and proprioception. This becomes particularly important in the face of injury or post-surgical recovery! I will always send home a detailed recommendation for exercise protocol and plan for rechecks along the way so that our strategy meets the need and pace for a speedy and effective recovery.” -Dr Steward

07/29/2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Client Testimonial⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We love to hear from our clients! Here’s what Teresa has to say about our services:

“I’ve been a customer of MT Equine Billings for many years and my experience with Dr. Jaime Lehfeldt and Dr. Annalyssa Campbell was exceptional. Their professionalism and expertise and above all their kindness towards my horse, Autumn and myself was greatly appreciated. Their assistants, Morgan, Sarah and Lewis were kind and professional as well. It’s very evident that they love horses. I’m very grateful for their service.” -Teresa

07/26/2024

It’s time to test your equine knowledge with another pop quiz!

Q: True or False?
A horse's brain weighs half that of a human brain.
A: True! A horse's brain weighs only 1.5 pounds, which is half the weight of a human brain! Despite being lighter in mass, it's still one of the largest brains among land mammals!

And here’s a bonus equine brain fact- the biggest difference between a human and equine brain is in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for thinking and planning. In horses, this region of the brain is notably smaller compared to humans. Instead of being utilized for intricate thought processes, horses mainly use this area for voluntary activities.

07/26/2024

Meet our new intern, Dr. Lauren Troutt!

Growing up in rural West Tennessee, Dr. Troutt's passion for horses began at a young age. She has been riding since she was just 3 years old! Throughout her childhood, she competed in western performance with 4-H and FFA and was an active member of the local drill team. Her favorite equine hobby? Horseback camping!

Dr. Troutt's love for animals doesn't stop at horses; she’s interested in large animal medicine, specifically cattle and small ruminants. She pursued her undergraduate degree in agriculture at The University of Tennessee at Martin and continued her journey at Lincoln Memorial University for vet school.

When she's not caring for animals, Dr. Troutt loves spending time outdoors. Whether it's horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, or camping, she's always up for an adventure.
We're thrilled to have Dr. Troutt at Montana Equine, bringing her expertise and passion for animal care to our team!

07/25/2024

Say hi to our wonderful veterinary assistant, Brooklee! Born and raised in Montana's breathtaking landscapes, she's a dedicated resident expert with a heart as big as the sky!

After 10 years of gaining invaluable experience in Oregon's small animal clinics, Brooklee returned to her roots, bringing back a wealth of knowledge and a passion for all furry creatures.

In her spare time, you'll find her embracing the great outdoors, whether she's riding horses, working dogs, casting lines for the perfect catch, or gazing at the stars above. Not to mention spending cherished moments with family and friends, especially her 98-year-old Grandma and 19-year-old son!

Next time you see her in the clinic, be sure to give Brooklee a warm hello!

07/24/2024

Let’s Talk About Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

This disease has a 90% mortality rate, so it isn't something to take lightly.

EEE can be contracted by both horses and humans, transmitted solely through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Once infected, there's no risk of spreading it further, but the consequences can be dire.

Symptoms can include
👉 fever
👉 stiffness
👉 hypersensitivity
👉 aggression
👉 head pressing
👉 constant chewing

There’s also a narrow window of 3-7 days for horses to show signs after being infected.

But there is some good news. EEE can be prevented through vaccination!

Stay vigilant, stay informed, and be sure to vaccinate your horse against Eastern Equine Encephalitis!

07/03/2024

In observance of Independence Day, Montana Equine will be closed for non-emergency appointments on Thursday, July 4th. Should you have an equine emergency during this time, please call our office at 406-285-0123 and follow the message prompts to reach the on-call veterinarian for your area. We will be open during our regularly scheduled hours on both July 3rd and July 5th. Happy Fourth of July!

06/29/2024

It’s time to test your horse health knowledge with another pop quiz!

Q: What’s the commonly known term for Equine Infectious Anemia?

Strangles
White Line Disease
Ringworm
Swamp Fever
A: D) Swamp Fever. EIA, or Swamp Fever, is a viral disease spread by horseflies that has no known vaccination or cure. In acute cases, horses will show signs of fever, loss of appetite, and depression. In other cases, horses can be infected but have no symptoms.

Because horses infected with EIA can appear completely healthy, the Coggins test was developed to test and prevent the spread of this disease.

06/27/2024

The Three Forks clinic has had power issues since about 1:00 am, it comes and goes. We have the phones ringing to a cell phone so the office team can help as best as they can. We will be returning non urgent phone calls as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

06/26/2024

Trust the experts at Montana Equine for your horse’s comprehensive dental care!

We will provide exceptional care if you're looking for routine dental check-ups or more specialized treatments. Some of our specialties include:
Point, Hook, Step, and Wave reductions
Periodontal therapy
Geriatric dentistry
Dental radiography
Standing extractions

Trust us for thorough and compassionate dental care for your equine companion!

06/22/2024

Case Study- Neonatal Intensive Care

Recent studies have shown that specialized neonatal care greatly improves the outcomes for at-risk foals. At Montana Equine, we prioritize individualized care for every foal, providing comprehensive services like high-detail ultrasounds, continuous rate infusions, 24-hour monitoring, and immune therapies. With our dedicated team and advanced resources, we're committed to providing top-of-the-line neonatal care for foals!

Check out the full case study here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1997.tb00088.x

06/19/2024

Summer Pasture-Associated Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (SPAOPD)
Summer is here, and it’s time to familiarize yourself with SPAOPD, also known as summer heaves. Imagine a horse standing in the sun-drenched meadow, its breaths labored, chest heaving - this is SPAOPD.

SPAOPD is a seasonal airway disease that affects our equine companions during the warmer months—from late spring to mid-fall.

Your horse might have SPAOPD if you notice:
Exercise Intolerance
Coughing
Labored Breathing
Wheezing
Weight Loss
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you believe your horse is suffering from any airway issues.

06/15/2024

Q: Can you give the Renovo intravenously? - Alex White

A: Renovo is an equine amniotic tissue allograft, meaning that it is a mixture of anti-inflammatory proteins from a donor horse for use in a regenerative setting. Studies have shown that this product is similar in efficacy to other regenerative therapies (such as stem cells) and that it is safe for injection into joint spaces. So far, no studies have shown that it has effective therapeutic use when intravenously administered.

06/12/2024

We love to read about your experiences with us!

Here is what our client, Mike, had to say about our services:

“Everyone at Montana Equine does a fantastic job. They have always taken great care of my horse and are very friendly!” -Mike.

06/08/2024

Meet Keila!

Born in Brazil, Keila has lived in Three Forks for the past five years. After moving away from horses briefly, Keila is very happy to be around them again. She just recently joined the MT Equine team and is already making an impact!

Beyond work, you'll find her:
🎣 Hiking and fishing
💕 Visiting friends and family
♨️ Soaking in the hot springs

Meet the rest of our team by visiting our website at mtequine.com

Our Services Montana Equine is a private veterinary referral hospital and practice that is dedicated to the highest quality diagnostic and therapeutic care of horses throughout Montana and beyond. View Services About Us Montana Equine is Montana’s sole equine veterinary center with university-leve...

06/06/2024

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

Did you know that EPM is caused by ingesting infected opossum f***s? Therefore, horses most at risk are those that have lived or traveled in areas where opossum are naturally found. This neurological disease can severely affect the brain and spinal cord.

Clinical signs include:
-Lack of coordination/abnormal gait
-Muscle atrophy
-Head tilt and poor balance
-Drooping facial features
-Abnormal sweating

EPM exposure can be measured by blood test, but neurologic disease can only be confirmed with cerebrospinal fluid tap.

Starting treatment early is critical for a positive outcome; the biggest improvements are seen within the first four weeks.

06/05/2024

PSA: There was fire started near the Three Forks clinic by a passing train - horses and staff are all safe and unharmed.

06/04/2024

Welcome to June! We have a couple new monthly promo codes available for our online pharmacy starting today, and two more to launch mid-month - details included below.
Shop our online pharmacy here:
https://montanaequine.securevetsource.com/index.pml

05/30/2024

Pop Quiz Time!
Can you separate the facts from the myths about the commonly used equine medication: Bute
Question: Which of the following statements about Bute is TRUE?
A) Bute is completely safe for long-term use in horses.
B) Long-term use of Bute can cause gastrointestinal ulcers in horses.
C) Bute has no side effects when given to horses.
D) Bute can be safely administered to any horse, regardless of age or health condition.
The answer is B! Did you know administering Bute can cause ulcers? While Bute, or phenylbutazone, is commonly used as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in horses to alleviate pain and inflammation, it can also have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Prolonged or excessive use of Bute can lead to the development of ulcers in the horse's stomach and intestines, which can cause discomfort and potentially lead to more serious health issues if left untreated. Therefore, it's important for horse owners and veterinarians to carefully monitor Bute usage and consider alternative treatments or management strategies to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal complications. (NSAIDs like bute can also have negative side effects on the kidneys!)

Further reading: Equine Gastric Ulcers and NSAID Administration | KER

05/28/2024

Need veterinary care but can't make it to the clinic? No problem!
Our ambulatory services have got you covered- whether you're at home, at the barn, or even at a local event. Our dedicated team of veterinarians and equine professionals is always on the move, ready to bring top-notch care straight to your doorstep!
Ready to schedule an appointment? Give us a call at our main number 406-285-0123, or reach out to us at 406-256-0123 if you're in the Billings area. We’d love to hear from you!
As always, our Three Forks clinic is open 24/7 for your emergency haul in needs for advanced medical and surgical interventions.

05/24/2024

In observance of Memorial Day weekend, the Montana Equine clinic locations will be closed for non-emergency appointments from Saturday, May 25th through Monday, May 27th. We will reopen for regularly scheduled appointments on Tuesday, May 28th. Should you have an equine emergency during this time, you may reach our ER staff by calling the main office (406-285-0123) and following the message prompts to reach the on-call veterinarian for your area. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday!

05/23/2024

The power is back on at the Three Forks clinic, thank you all for your patience while we navigated the past few hours of having no power.

05/23/2024

Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) - is a complex syndrome characterized by skin lesions around the pastern area.

Our dermatology services offer comprehensive care for all types of equine skin conditions, including EPD. Our experienced vets are equipped to diagnose and treat all kinds of dermatological issues, helping you distinguish between serious concerns and benign issues.

Once we've pinpointed the problem with an accurate diagnosis, we tailor our approach to your horse's needs. Whether it's through local or systemic therapies, we employ a wide range of treatments, including medical, herbal, and immune-mediated strategies.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment, and let us help your horse’s coat shine!

05/23/2024

Power is out at the Three Forks Clinic, we have the clinic phones going to a cell phone for emergencies. We will let you know when we are back up and fully running.

05/21/2024

Is your horse's deworming schedule on track? Spring is the perfect time to take a closer look!
F***l Egg Counts (FECs): Spring is a great time to perform f***l egg counts to assess the level of parasite infestation in your horse. This helps determine if deworming is necessary and which types of parasites are present.

Remember to work with your vet to develop a deworming program tailored to your horse's specific needs and the parasite challenges in your area. Regular f***l egg counts and strategic deworming can help keep your horse healthy and minimize the risk of resistant parasite issues.

From assessing parasite infestation levels with f***l egg counts to implementing strategic deworming treatments, now's the moment to ensure your equine friend is set up for a healthy season ahead.

***leggcount

05/16/2024

Check out another great question from our Ask the Vet series!

Q: “Can you explain the important role of magnesium in a horse’s diet? And what are some ways to detect if a horse might be low on magnesium, other than bloodwork?” - Rachael Ludwig
A: Magnesium is an electrolyte that has many, many uses throughout the body- including nerve and muscle function, immune function, cardiac rhythm, and bone strength. A deficit in magnesium could result in heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, or in very severe cases, death!

Most horses that eat a balanced diet of forage receive adequate magnesium. Testing hay or feeding a ration balancer can help to ensure a balanced diet. Bloodwork is the easiest and fastest way to detect a true abnormality in serum magnesium, however, supplementation over a horse’s normal requirement has been used to help calm horses with anxiety and also to try to help sore or tight muscles.

The efficacy of this use can vary greatly and it is important to never use more than the recommended amount of magnesium that you have discussed with your veterinarian in order to avoid magnesium toxicity!

05/14/2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Client Testimonial⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Everyone at Montana Equine is exceptional. We have used them as our vets for years and continue to be impressed. Thank you for taking great care of our herd!” - Aubrey

05/09/2024

Meet our Practice Manager, Megan!

Since her roots were planted in Three Forks in 1981, Megan's passion for horses has flourished alongside her journey. From her childhood days tending to horses on her family farm to her pivotal role as Practice Manager today, Megan's dedication knows no bounds!

When she's not ensuring the smooth operation of our clinics, you'll find her cherishing moments with her three children, exploring the great outdoors, and embracing every opportunity for adventure.

With Megan at the helm of Montana Equine, our team is fueled by passion, commitment, and a love for all things equine!

Meet more of our staff by visiting our website: www.MTEquine.com

Our Services Montana Equine is a private veterinary referral hospital and practice that is dedicated to the highest quality diagnostic and therapeutic care of horses throughout Montana and beyond. View Services About Us Montana Equine is Montana’s sole equine veterinary center with university-leve...

05/07/2024

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

This highly contagious family of viruses, including EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4, is found worldwide and can have serious implications, including respiratory diseases, abortions, and neurological issues.

While symptoms can vary and may not always be obvious, it's important to be aware of potential indicators of illness. Look out for:

👉 Fever
👉 Difficulty urinating
👉 Nasal discharge and cough
👉 Head tilt or stumbling
👉 Unable to get up after lying down
EHV is spread through nose-to-nose contact, contaminated equipment, and respiratory secretions. It's crucial to be vigilant in preventing its transmission.
Vaccines play a pivotal role in EHV prevention, particularly in breeding operations, by reducing symptom severity, viral shedding, and the risk of abortions.