Mid-South Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery

01/17/2025

🐴 𝐅𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘🐴

8 tips to keeping your foal healthy

1️⃣ Foals should attempt to stand within 30 minutes after birth and begin to nurse within 2 hours after birth.

2️⃣ Colostrum (the first portion of milk) needs to be ingested as soon as possible after birth. Good quality colostrum is an important factor in the foal having adequate passive transfer of immunity. Within the first 8-12 hours is recommended or it is unlikely that adequate intestinal absorption will occur.

3️⃣ We recommend checking the IgG levels when the foal is 12-24 hours old and perform a CBC. Also running a plasma transfusion will help the foal get off to a great start.

4️⃣ The umbilical cord should be dipped in a dilute 1:4 chlorhexidine solution to help prevent infection.

5️⃣ The first foal f***s is called meconium and should be passed within 12 hours after birth. The consistency may be pasty or little f***l balls and can be dark brown in color.

6️⃣ Foals on average nurse 30 times per day and gain 2-3% of their body weight daily.

7️⃣ The foal should be active and able to keep up with the mare 24-48 hours after birth without struggling to breath.

8️⃣ Foals may begin life with weak legs and be down in their pasterns. If they don’t begin to correct on their own after a couple of days additional medical attention will be needed to assist in correction of the issue.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or text the office (940-230-6611) and we will do our best to get your foal off to a great start.

📸

01/16/2025

🎈𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 to our January Birthday’s

🎉Catherine, who’s Birthday was yesterday, is the master behind the scenes of handling and sending out all of the labs, one of the voices behind the phone when you call, welcoming face at the window, and more.

🥳Tara who’s Birthday is the 29th, keeps Dr. Dalton on track with appointments, schedules, paperwork, keeping the truck stocked, along with managing his patients and clients.

♥️ We appreciate you ladies so very much for everything you!

01/16/2025

Did you know 🤔

American Association of Equine Practitioners mid week myth buster. They explain why protien is an important factor in your horses nutritional needs.

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself.

Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/15/2025

Thank you Schuyler Signs!

01/14/2025

🐴 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜...𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🐴

Here are 8 tips to help you feel prepped and ready.

1️⃣ A minimum of 14x14 size stall is recommended. It should be sanitized and straw bedding is less likely to stick to the mare and foal like wood shavings do.
2️⃣ Signs that the mare is prepping for labor include, “waxing” of the udder, relaxation of the pelvic ligaments, restlessness, sweating, and raising of her tail.
3️⃣ Commercial test strips are avable that will detect a sudden increase in calcium that will indicate imminent foaling.
4️⃣ Labor occurs in 3 stages-
▪️Mare will position the foal with the initial uterine contractions, that can last 1-2 hours.
▪️Water breaks and strong uterine contractions begin. This stage should only last 20-40 minutes.
▪️After she has the foal the placenta needs to be passed within 3 hours. It needs to be checked to make sure none was retained.
5️⃣ If the mare retains her placenta for longer than 3 hours a vet needs to be contacted immediately. Mares can become toxic and get laminitis, which will require hospital care.
6️⃣ Check the mares udder for good milk production.
7️⃣ Very soon after birth the mare should start interacting with her foal by nickering and can become very protective of her foal.
8️⃣ Continue to monitor the mare for signs for infection, increased temperature, lethargic, not wanting to eat, and foul smelling vaginal discharge.

If you ever have any questions or concerns please reach out 940-230-6611. We wish everyone a quick and non eventful foaling season.

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12/29/2024

12/25/2024

🎅🏼𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐝-𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡🎅🏼

🤶🏼 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲

☎️ Call 940-230-6611 if you need to get in contact with the vet who is on call.

🎄We hope everyone has a wonderful time with their friends and family over the holidays. We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for our clinic, as well as you and your horses!

12/13/2024

🐴 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄 🐴

Today and everyday we celebrate these animals that we are fortunate enough to work on. They give us their all and expect nothing in return, but a pat on the neck and maybe a few cookies.

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” – Winston Churchill

12/09/2024

📣‼️ 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 ‼️📣

◼️ If you are headed to WEC in Ocala they require a proof of vaccination (within the last 6 months) statement on their health papers. Our clinic can only put this statement on your health paper if we physically gave your horse its vaccination.

🔺 If you are needing to get your horse vaccinated before you go please call or text 940-230-6611 to get your appointment scheduled.

◾️ If you are needing any meds ordered please send us your list. Compounded medications take longer get shipped in.

🔺 Feel free to contact us if you are needing any lameness exams or preventative care before you hit the open road.

📝 Don’t forget those Coggins and health papers!

🏆 Safe travels and Good Luck to everyone who is competing!

12/08/2024

🎉🥇𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🎉🥈

📣 Shout out to 🥇Kaci O'Rourke and 🥈Kole Price for their outstanding wins!

🥇 Not only was Kaci 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍 of level 3 & 4, she was the first woman to win this title, and the last to win in this arena before it’s torn down.

❤️ We are beyond thankful to be a member of your team and road to the winners circle!

11/25/2024

🏆 We are back from the 𝐀𝐐𝐇𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 where our clients and their trainers had a very successful show.

🛑 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩: 𝐍𝐑𝐇𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 Dr. Dalton will be making periodic stops back and forth from the clinic to OKC.

📞𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝟗𝟒𝟎-𝟐𝟑𝟎-𝟔𝟔𝟒𝟔 to schedule appointments.

🥇 Good luck to everyone competing at the Futurity and wrapping up a great show season!

10/16/2024

Good luck to all!

A HUGE THANK YOU to Mid-South Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery for your continued Sponsorship of the 2024 APPsolute Sires! We appreciate your Support! Feel Free to contact them for the Best Veterinary needs of your horses!

10/15/2024

Veterinary Technician Week provides the perfect opportunity for us to express our deep appreciation for our team's hard work and dedication to the health and well-being of our clients' horses, as well as their exceptional service to our clients.

From the front office to the barn. Thank you for being an integral part of our team!

10/04/2024

💀This work week has our Doctors feeling a bit overwhelmed💀

🏃🏻But we must go on! Congress is right around the corner and it is last call for 𝐂𝐎𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐒, 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒.

☎️ Please reach out 𝟗𝟒𝟎-𝟐𝟑𝟎-𝟔𝟔𝟏𝟏 ASAP if you are in need of any of those things!

09/30/2024

🍁 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐕𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 🍁

🍂 While it might not feel like fall outside, according to the calendar it is indeed fall.

🏥 Our clinic recommends core vaccines (minus rabies) once in the spring and once in the fall.

❗️Almost all horse shows are now requiring proof of vaccination on the health paper. Our clinic is only able to add this to your health paper if one of our veterinarians gives the horse its vaccinations that were purchased from our clinic. This will protect you and your horse in case an adverse reaction happens.

💉 Core vaccines are those that protect against diseases that are endemic to a region, highly contagious, and pose a risk of severe illness. These include Tetanus, E. & W. Encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, and Rabies.

💉 Risk-Based vaccines are those that are based on risk assessment. Is the horse likely to be exposed to these. A few examples of these are Botulism, Equine Herpes, Influenza, leptospirosis, Potomac Horse Fever and, Rotavirus.

▪️While AAEP doesn’t include the influenza vaccine within their core vaccines most equine veterinarians would.

▪️Be sure to always consult with your veterinarian when constructing your horses vaccination protocol. They will be able to help you decide which vaccines are right for your specific horse.

▪️Please call or text the clinic at 940-230-6611 to discuss your horses vaccine protocol or schedule an appointment.

09/25/2024

❗️𝐃𝐎𝐍’𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐓❗️

🏆 The AQHA Quarter Horse Congress is quickly approaching. With that being said here are a few reminders.

1️⃣ Health papers and coggins. Make sure your coggins is up to date and will be until you return home. Please send us your health paper list sooner rather than later.

2️⃣ Medication orders. If you need meds for your barn let us know so we can get them ordered. Compounded medications take longer to get in and we want to make sure we can fill your order before you leave.

3️⃣ Pre-Congress appointments. Let us know if you need an appointment before you head to the show. The schedule is beginning to fill up, but we willl try our best to accommodate everyone.

4️⃣ Appointments at the show. Appointments can be booked now for the show if needed.

5️⃣Medication forms at the show: Please come and see us first thing if you are needing a medication form to turn into the show office.

☎️ If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to call or text the office 940-230-6611

09/23/2024

🎂 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐂𝐀, 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐀 & 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒 🎂

🥳 Help us wish these 3 Happy Birthday today when you see them.

Becca is the technician of versatility, Melissa is one of the voices behind the phone when you call the office, and Chris keeps the machines up and running.

Thank you for being one of the pieces of Mid-South’s puzzle.

09/22/2024

Streakin B Art shares words of wisdom that our clinic lives by.

It’s not a profession for our veterinarians it’s a way of life.

“He celebrated the victory of the horse,
No one thought ever had a prayer.
She knelt and prayed with the woman she had never met, after she sewed up her favorite mare.

He wipes sweat from his brow at 1am,
as he treats a belly ache by one barn light.
She pulled breached calf while dressed for dinner in town, because her husband had tried to give her a date night.

He didn’t look the owner in the eye as he quietly treated the horse who’d never compete again.
He’d told them not to send him back in the arena, but they couldn’t let go of just one more win.

They see the person who owes them thousands in bills everyday at the store in town.
They nod or shake their hand in greeting but never make a sound.

He was late to the staff meeting one morning because he’d been up all night setting a broken leg in the cold.
The entire clinic stood and cried with the little girl as her horse took its last breath, because simply got too old.

Relationships suffer
Holidays with family are missed
Ball games are left early
Personal time is often last on the list.

Sleep and peace is a rare favor granted
to those who chose a life speaking and caring for those who can’t help themselves.
God Bless the Veterinary professionals of this world, whose first priority is our animals health.”
Written by Josey Butler of Streakin B Art

Feel free to share and tag your favorite vet.