Elk River Veterinary Services

17/10/2022

Note about the upcoming laminitis risk!
The upcoming frosty conditions and sunlight will make grass store sugar at increased levels. If you have a horse or pony at risk of laminitis, the conditions right now are very dangerous for the sugars in the grass to cause a big insulin spike and can push these horses into a laminitic episode. Afternoons after 10am are more dangerous (the sun has been on the grass long enough to build up sugar), so consider limiting grazing to very early morning or taking the horse off the pasture entirely and feeding hay (preferably soaked for 30min in hot water or 1 hour in cold). An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure!

07/07/2022

ALERT ❗️❗️

The State Veterinarian’s office has confirmed two cases of Potomac horse fever. One is in Rutherford County and the other in Dekalb County.

Freshwater snails are the source of the bacteria that causes Potomac horse fever. Horses may be exposed when drinking from creeks or rivers, and can then suffer from colic, fever, and diarrhea. Potomac horse fever has not been found to directly transmit from horse to horse.

We urge horse owners to be sure their horses are protected by using best management practices, which includes consulting with your local veterinarian for appropriate vaccination needs and schedules.

• Regularly disinfect stalls, water buckets, feed troughs, and other equipment
• Eliminate standing water sources where disease-carrying insects may gather and breed
• Avoid co-mingling your horses with other, unfamiliar horses

Potomac horse fever is NOT a known threat to human health.

30/06/2022

Have you been waiting longer than usual for an open appointment with your veterinarian or been unable to access after-hours services for your horse? The shortage of equine veterinarians in the U.S. is likely the cause. Many veterinary practices have too few horse doctors to service all their clients.

Why? Only about 6% of new veterinary graduates annually enter equine practice. After five years, 50% of these young veterinarians leave for small animal practice or quit veterinary medicine altogether. The primary reasons are the personal demands of the profession and equine practice’s lower starting salaries. Many new veterinarians begin their career with more than $200,000 in student loan debt, making an equine position with lower compensation often unthinkable. When financial concerns are combined with the always present demands of emergency coverage, many equine veterinarians choose to leave for a healthier way of life.

The good news is that the AAEP along with private veterinary practices and veterinary schools are addressing the pain points which have led to the current crisis. But the solution is complex and will require the support and collaboration of every person in the equine industry — including horse owners. As we work to improve the profession for current and future veterinarians, you have a huge role to play in the much-needed transformation of equine practice. Horse doctors look forward to working together with you for the good of the horse and the sustainability of veterinary care!

03/05/2022

Grass Tetany: How can green grass possibly be bad?
"Each year, we pray for the rainfall needed to produce the green grass we hope for every spring. If you’ve owned livestock for more than about 15 minutes, however, you know that with nearly every good thing that comes along, there’s something to watch out for..."

Each year, we pray for the rainfall needed to produce the green grass we hope for every spring. If you’ve owned livestock for more than about 15 minutes, however, you know that with nearly every good thing that comes along, there’s something to watch out for. This time of year, several factors c...

08/03/2022

Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

08/03/2022

In 2017 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began implementing the Guidance for the Industry #213 otherwise known as the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Implementation of the VFD focused on veterinary oversight of medically important…

28/02/2022

We are officially in full blown lambing and kidding season! 🐐🐑🐏
If you have sheep or goats, remember, don't stress those Mommas!! Preg Tox is NO FUN!
🐐 Feed them WELL, but make any changes SLOWWWW
🐐 Don't WORK them unless you absolutely have to
🐐 Booster their CD&T vaccine 3-4 weeks before they are due (or when you start to see udder developement)
🐐 Keep your labor/delivery supplies stocked and readily available!
🐐 Ask about any pharmaceuticals you may need to keep on hand, depending on your situation
🐐 And remember to NEVER PULL ON A PLACENTA 🤣

ERVS is always here to help and answer any questions you have. Text or call (256) 206-0219 if you need anything!

16/02/2022

Cases of suspected botulism are emerging in Florida. While botulism is not contagious between horses, it can affect multiple horses on the same property. Sources of botulinum toxin include round bales, alfalfa blocks, soil, and contaminated grains. Click here to learn more about what to look for: https://bit.ly/3oNlCBO

15/02/2022

Backyard poultry owners: Be sure to do all you can to protect your flock from contact with wild birds!

"For everyone with backyard poultry, this is the time to be putting into practice all those biosecurity practices we constantly preach. Keep your birds healthy with simple steps" - Kaela Austin Goff

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in birds in two states – a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Fulton County, Kentucky, and a backyard flock of mixed species birds in Fauquier County, Virginia.

APHIS is working closely with state animal health officials in Kentucky and Virginia on joint incident responses. Read more here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-ky-va-flocks

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. APHIS has materials about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources

In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through APHIS’ toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

10/01/2022

IS YOUR HORSE 15 OR OLDER? Read on!

With each passing year, horses are living longer lives and many survive easily to 25 years of age or older. While this is good news, it also means that horse owners need to be aware of changes occurring with age, so they can preserve the health and quality of life of their equine friends throughout middle age and the geriatric years.

For example, Equine Cushing’s disease is one of the most common diseases of horses greater than 15 years of age. This syndrome is better defined as Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) because it reflects the location within the brain that is abnormal, and the clinical signs are associated with abnormally elevated hormone concentrations in the blood.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is another endocrine disorder that can affect mature horses and shares some of the same clinical signs as PPID. Although the two disorders feature some striking clinical similarities — most notably a predisposition to development of chronic laminitis — the underlying disease biology is quite different in each case and successful management requires proper diagnosis by a competent veterinarian first.

Our understanding of both conditions, especially EMS, is incomplete and subject to continuous evolution, but sufficient information is currently available to highlight some important similarities and differences for the interested horse owner. Consult your veterinarian for more information and work with them to develop the best wellness practices to ensure a healthy life for your mature horse.

Additional information regarding the older horse’s care and nutrition is available on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/older-horse-special-care-nutrition

10/12/2021

Everybody always tries to visually assess the quality of the hay they feed, but the only true way to know is with a lab analysis. It's so easy, even a toddler can do it!! Your local extension office may even have a core probe you can borrow.

09/12/2021

Unfortunately, we are in full blown colic season. Remember to keep a close(r) eye on your horses when the weather or temperature is rapidly changing, and when the temperature drops below 32*. This time of year, decreased water intake frequently leads to impaction colics.

Consider heated buckets (pluged into a properly grounded GFCI outlet!) or offering warm water from the house or barn 2x daily, and adding salt to their diet to increase water intake.

***Its always advisable to have banamine (IV is preferable- NEVER IM, but paste is ok, too) available, as well!***

20/10/2021

Good to know!

18/10/2021

Something to keep in mind this fall, from The Oaks Equine and Farm Services:

"Today we saw an interesting case. The horse was normal at breakfast. At about 10 am the owner administered Zimecterin Gold. At lunch he came out to check on the horse and feed her lunch when he noticed she was drooling and didn't want to eat.

When we arrived she was drooling profusely and had severe swelling of her lips and tounge on the side the dewormer had been administered on. Her tounge and lips were very painful and she had discoloration and superficial ulceration on her gums and tounge."

This is a rare, but recognized side effect of Zimecterin Gold. It's even called out by the manufacturer on the package insert included in each box. The horse received anti-inflammatory drugs and the swelling should resolve over the next 24 hours.

If you do choose to use Zimecterin Gold, it is critical to make sure the drug is administered completely at the back of the mouth, not in the cheek area.

Equimax dewormer is a good alternative product to consider. The spectrum of what worms it kills are the same as Zimercterin Gold, but without the risk of this side effect.

10/10/2021

Happy first day of Fall! 🍂🍁🌧💨

This time of the year is ideal to prepare your horse and your property for the arrival of winter. Your veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season: be sure to discuss vaccination and dewormers, but also use this opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise program for your horse, and at what temperature turnout sheets and blankets might be a good idea. Your horse doctor can help you and your equine friend ease into the colder season without a hitch!

10/10/2021

Good Luck tonight to all the participants in the Minor Hill Country Boy Horse Show! Stay safe and have fun!

15/07/2021

Best little cow worker ever

02/07/2021

Good help is hard to find haha

29/06/2021

***Equine Rabies Alert***
The American Association of Equine Practitioners lists rabies as one of the “core vaccines” that should be given to all horses. Current recommendations are to begin immunization when a foal reaches 4-6 months of age, then receive boosters at annual intervals. The incubation period for the virus is variable (2 weeks to several months), but relentless. Once a horse shows signs of rabies, it invariably dies within a few days. Early signs range from colic to lameness to depression to agitation. Late signs are dramatic; horses either become recumbent and unresponsive, or dangerously aggressive. There is no treatment.

13/06/2021

🤣

09/06/2021

How to tell if your horse feed is low starch in 3 easy steps.

1. Check the NSC (nonstructural carbohydrates)value of the feed.
2. Look for fat and ­fiber ingredients at the top of the ingredient list.
3. Make sure any cereal grains and molasses are only present in small amounts.

See the full infographic here - https://kppusa.com/2021/05/26/how-to-tell-if-your-horse-feed-is-low-starch/

14/05/2021

The illness spreads through biting insects or sharing needles, and horses infected with EIA have to be permanently quarantined or euthanized.

04/05/2021

Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.), a bright yellow annual, biennial, or perennial flower found in pastures, can cause serious problems in horses and livestock that eat it as they graze. The leaves and stems contain ranunculin, a glycoside that forms the toxic blistering agent when the plant is chewed or crushed. This bitter-tasting oil irritates the lining of the horse’s mouth and digestive tract. Owners may notice blisters on the horse’s lips, swelling of facial tissue, excessive salivation, mild colic, and diarrhea that might contain blood. Cattle, goats, and pigs are also susceptible to the toxin.

Horses usually avoid ingesting the bitter leaves, but when turned out on overgrazed pasture, they may eat buttercups due to an absence of other forages.


Cattle and other livestock occasionally develop a taste for buttercup, consuming it with fatal consequence in preference to other available forage. For this reason, it is safest to keep populations of buttercup under control on grazed pastures and offer plenty of healthy forage.

http://www.equinews.com/article/buttercup-toxicity-horses

Toxicity varies with plant age, growing conditions, and freshness of foliage. Plants are most dangerous in early growth through the flowering stage.

01/05/2021

Busy day in Elkmont 😂