Ana Peña- Veterinaria Especialista en Équidos 626281264

13/10/2025

08/09/2025

Dentro del casco con laminitis … que es lo que pasa ?

As we approach the start of fall and the temperatures start to drop, here is some important information to know regarding fall laminitis.

Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.

Why could this be?

• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.

• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.

• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.

If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your equine companion may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your unique situation.

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

31/08/2025

29/08/2025

Info sobre la enfermedad del oeste del Nilo ℹ️
Tal y como vemos , La mejor prevención es la vacunación y el control de los vectores que pueden afectar a nuestro caballo ( mosquitos ) ℹ️

07/08/2025

Resumen sobre la enfermedad del oeste del Nilo
📝📝📝

As mentioned in our post earlier this week about EEE, summer and fall are the peak time for arbovirus infection as these diseases (which include Eastern Equine Encephalitis [EEE], West Nile Virus [WNV], Western Equine Encephalitis [WEE] and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis [VEE]) are transmitted by several different species of mosquitoes and biting insects.

Let this graphic serve as a source of more information about West Nile Virus (WNV) as well as a reminder to keep your equines up to date on vaccinations with the guidance of your veterinarian to best protect your animals from infection.

Learn more about West Nile Virus and find downloadable resources on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/west-nile-virus

06/08/2025

Útiles y prácticos consejos para reducir el riesgo de úlceras gástricas en nuestro caballo 👏🏻👏🏻

28/07/2025

Datos sobre La obstrucción de esófago en nuestros caballos 📝

Some info about choke 📝

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

14/07/2025

Algunos datos interesantes sobre el corazón de nuestro caballo ❤️

Here's some fun facts about the equine heart from Dr. Barrow and Dr. Connelly of Barrow Veterinary Service:

"Let’s talk HEART — the powerhouse of your horse! 🐎

💡 Did you know?
A horse’s heart typically weighs 9–10 pounds, but in elite athletes like racehorses, it can weigh up to 13–14 pounds!

At rest, a horse’s heart beats 28–44 times per minute, but during exercise, it can soar to 240 beats per minute.

The heart pumps roughly 10 gallons of blood per minute at rest—and up to 75 gallons per minute during strenuous activity!

Horses have a very efficient cardiovascular system, which helps explain their incredible stamina and athleticism.

The legendary racehorse Secretariat’s heart was estimated at 22 pounds—more than twice the normal size! 🏆

Regular physical exams and fitness assessments help us monitor your horse’s heart health—especially in performance horses."

19/06/2025

Si tú caballo se clava un clavo / objeto metálico en el caso … trátalo como una emergencia !
Intenta no sacar el metal a no ser que tu veterinario lo recomiende 💡💡💡

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

18/06/2025

Síntomas de que tu caballo necesita asistencia 💡💡💡

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HORSE IS IN DISTRESS?

As a horse owner, it's imperative you know how to recognize problems and respond promptly. It's important to know what conditions require veterinary attention, and how to take appropriate action while you're waiting for the veterinarian's arrival.

Types of emergencies you and your horse may encounter on your journey together include colic; lacerations and bleeding wounds; impaled objects or nails in the foot; acute lameness due to conditions ranging from hoof abscess to fractures, laminitis, tendon injuries and more; eye injuries; allergic reactions; choke; and even foaling emergencies.

No matter what you may face in the future, getting to know your horse's normal vital signs (including temperature, pulse and respiration) as well as its normal behavior patterns will help you become a good observer, so that you readily recognize signs of ill health. Being prepared is in your horse's best interest.

Always remember, your veterinarian is one of your best resources. Talk to them about how they can be reached after-hours, and about recommendations for an emergency plan suitable for your individual situation.