Horizon Equine Veterinary Services

28/01/2025

13/01/2025

Happy New Year and I hope everyone is staying warm out there! I'm excited to be attending some continuing education next week and to bring back some new info on lameness, neurology, PPID, and respiratory issues. I will be closed for emergencies and appointments Jan 18-24. I will have limited availability by phone or email. If you need any medication refills etc. before then please reach out this week. Thanks!

31/10/2024

As silly as it sounds, the "carrot test" can be used to help diagnose tooth aches in our equine companions.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EORTH) is a dental condition that affects the incisors of middle-aged horses and older. As the name suggests, it acts by both resorbing the teeth and then producing large amounts of cementum (a hard substance that anchors the teeth into place).

Clinical signs such as difficulty chewing, teeth discoloration and painful gums are highly suspicious for this disease, but you can also offer your horse a carrot to assess how comfortable they are biting down. If it seems painful for them while biting the carrot, they could have EORTH!

Your veterinarian can do an oral examination and take dental radiographs to confirm the diagnosis. This is a progressive disease so there is no cure, but there are management strategies that can improve their comfort.

If you are concerned that your horse may have EORTH or is experiencing oral pain, contact your veterinarian so that they may further evaluate and suggest treatment options.

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

03/10/2024

So devastating to see the damage and loss of life from Hurricane Helene. If you're looking for a way to support the equine or veterinary community The Foundation for the Horse helps with disaster relief providing food and veterinary care to horses.

We are devastated to see the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene that have impacted thousands of people and equines far and wide. Please join The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, in aiding the victims of the hurricane with a donation to help those affected.

The Foundation for the Horse works directly with equine veterinarians on the ground to make sure supplies, hay, feed and veterinary care are provided to animals in need.

Pictured is an example of the devasting effects the residents of Hendersonville, NC have suffered during Hurricane Helene.

If you would like to join us in aiding those affected, donate at: https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Give-Now.aspx?ItemId=DISASTER_RELIEF&SourceCode=GiveNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawFnmcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaHxoC1eLyh3A4yhmAjxmWHPmr_MlVVwcEAQlS7eG9dEchYSrXaPsyTwdQ_aem_XLRekJJPklcJ9rVpFvH-Tg

20/09/2024

PPID stands for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction also known as equine Cushing's disease. PPID is an endocrine disorder that causes the pituitary gland to produce excess hormones, which can cause a variety of problems. The most common sign of PPID is a long, thick hair coat or delayed shedding. Other signs include weight loss, muscle atrophy, increased thirst and urination, lameness, and reproductive abnormalities. PPID is treatable so give us or your local vet a call.

16/09/2024

Have you seen these or similar blemishes on your horse? If so, they are likely sarcoids, which can appear as skin growths, circular hair loss, or warts. They are caused by the bovine papilloma virus (BPV). Some sarcoids are simply cosmetical but others can cause irritation and grow aggressively. Give us or your local vet a call to get these examined.

09/09/2024

Have you heard of HYPP? HYPP stands for hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and it is a genetic disease traced back to the American Quarter Horse sire Impressive. Horses need one copy of the gene to be affected and the disease affects the muscles ability to transport sodium ions, which influences the muscles ability to contract normally. Signs of HYPP include muscle twitching or weakness, heavy breathing, collapse, and can cause death. If your horse has experienced any of these give us or your local vet a call.

01/09/2024

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. Horses can experience many types of pain such as injuries, lameness, arthritis, chiropractic, dental problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. Signs of pain include abnormal movement or posture, temperament changes, decreased appetite or dropping feed, abnormal sweating, kicking at the stomach, etc. If you notice any of these changes give us a call or your local veterinarian.

28/08/2024

Today is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day. A day to honor and cherish the memory of beloved horses who have touched our lives. If you have any special memories or stories you'd like to share about those special horses, I'm here to listen.

"While time will fade these hoofprints, while the ones left on my heart will never disappear." - Shannon Fleury.

20/08/2024

Today is World Mosquito Day. Mosquitoes are great vectors for transmitting several equine diseases including the West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Western Equine Encephalitis. Make sure your horses are protected by getting them vaccinated.