Equine Veterinary Practice for Horse Health and Wellness

As an equine enthusiast, you want the best for your horse's health and wellness. Regular dental care is essential for maintaining good oral health in horses, as it can lead to problems such as tooth loss, gum disease, and digestive issues.

A well-balanced diet is also crucial for your horse's overall health. In fact, a horse's digestive system is designed to digest high-fiber, low-protein foods, and a diet that's too rich in protein can cause kidney damage.

Preventative care is key to maintaining your horse's health, and regular vaccinations and parasite control are essential for protecting against diseases such as tetanus and equine influenza.

Regular veterinary check-ups can help identify potential health issues early on, allowing for prompt treatment and preventing more serious problems from developing.

Check this out: Horse Veterinary Technician

At an equine veterinary practice, you can expect a wide range of services to keep your horse healthy and thriving.

Routine wellness exams are a great way to catch any potential issues before they become major problems. These exams can be done on-site or at the hospital.

Advanced imaging, diagnostics, and x-ray services are available to help diagnose complex medical conditions. This can include laminitis treatment, abscess treatment, and colic treatment.

Our team of experienced equine veterinarians can also provide expert care for horses of all ages and breeds, from routine care to complex lameness issues and surgery.

Here are some specific services you can expect:

If your horse is experiencing dental problems, our vets can provide expert care to keep their mouth healthy.

Coggins testing is available with same-day results, and routine AGID testing has a 3-day turn around.

Our equine veterinary practice has a state-of-the-art facility and equipment to provide top-notch medical care for horses.

We have the ability to do most things in-house, eliminating the need for referrals to other facilities.

We're flexible and can come to your barn or you can bring your horse to us, providing excellent care either way.

Suggestion: General Practice Veterinary Care

Our facilities and equipment are top-notch, allowing us to provide the highest level of medical care for horses right in our own state-of-the-art facility. We can do most things in-house without needing to refer you elsewhere.

We're flexible and can come to your barn or you can come to us, providing excellent care either way.

The Gaylord Center for Excellence in Equine Health is a state-of-the-art facility that provides top-notch care for horses.

It was established thanks to a generous lead gift from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation.

This center supports the equine service's ability to provide cutting-edge care, making it a valuable resource for horse owners and veterinarians alike.

Horses can suffer from a range of conditions that affect their performance and overall health. Poor performance can be caused by lameness or spinal musculoskeletal injuries, upper and lower airway conditions, neurologic dysfunction, or cardiac disease.

Horses may also exhibit performance-altering behavioral changes due to musculoskeletal injuries, neurologic conditions, or reproductive disorders. These changes can be challenging to diagnose and treat.

Some common conditions that affect horses include:

Buying a horse can be a huge investment, so it's essential to check the health and condition of your new equine friend before making a purchase.

A comprehensive physical exam is a crucial part of a prepurchase exam, which can help identify any potential health issues.

Lameness exams are also a must, as they can reveal underlying problems with your horse's musculoskeletal system.

Our veterinarians work to provide you with information about your prospective horse's health, so you can make a well-informed purchase decision.

Prepurchase exams can vary in scope, but they're an essential step in ensuring you're buying a healthy horse.

Worth a look: Purchasing a Veterinary Practice

EPM is a master of disguise, making it difficult to diagnose because its signs often mimic other health problems in the horse. This serious disease can range from mild to severe.

More than 50 percent of all horses in the United States may have been exposed to the organism that causes EPM. The causative organism is a protozoal parasite called Sarcocystis neurona.

The disease is not transmitted from horse to horse, but rather the protozoa are spread by the definitive host, the opossum, which acquires the organism from cats, raccoons, skunks, etc. The horse comes into contact with the infective sporocysts while grazing or eating contaminated feed or drinking water.

The infective stage of the organism is passed in the opossum’s feces. Once ingested, the sporocysts migrate from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream and cross the blood/brain barrier. There they begin to attack the horse’s central nervous system.

The onset of the disease may be slow or sudden. If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological damage.

EPM symptoms can be varied and may include ataxia (in-coordination), spasticity (stiff, stilted movements), abnormal gait or lameness, and in-coordination and weakness. Muscle atrophy, paralysis of muscles of the eyes, face or mouth, and difficulty swallowing are also possible symptoms.

Other symptoms may include seizures or collapse, abnormal sweating, loss of sensation along the face, neck or body, and head tilt with poor balance. A horse may assume a splay-footed stance or lean against stall walls for support.

The extent of the infection, how long the horse harbors the parasite prior to treatment, and the point(s) in the brain or spinal cord where the organism localizes and damage occurs can all impact the severity of EPM. Stressful events following infection or stressful events while infected can also exacerbate the disease.

Here are some common EPM symptoms to look out for:

Horses are at risk of developing Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a disease caused by the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona. Almost every part of the country has reported cases of EPM.

The incidence of EPM is much lower in the western United States, especially in regions with small opossum populations. Due to the transport of horses and feedstuffs from one part of the country to another, almost all horses are at risk.

Not all horses exposed to Sarcocystis neurona will develop EPM, and some horses may even mount an effective immune response to combat the disease. Horses under stress are more likely to succumb to the debilitating effects of EPM.

Strangles can seriously harm a horse's health, and it's essential to spot the signs early to protect your horse from the disease. Our veterinarians can help you identify the symptoms and take the necessary steps to keep your horse safe.

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause serious infections. If your horse is showing symptoms, it's crucial to seek veterinary care promptly to prevent the spread of the disease.

Recommended read: Horse Equine Artists

Proper dental care is essential for your horse's health.

Our veterinarians will check your horse's teeth during a wellness examination to determine if floating or any other action would be necessary.

Uncared for teeth can lead to problems such as periodontal disease, infected teeth, or lacerations in their mouths caused by sharp enamel points.

These dental issues can be painful and may cause your horse to experience discomfort or difficulty eating.

Regular checkups are essential for establishing a baseline in your horse's health and detecting potential problems early on. This helps prevent issues from becoming more serious when left untreated.

Regular exams are crucial, even if your horse appears healthy, as hidden health problems can emerge over time. We highly recommend bringing your horse in for regular checkups to stay on top of their health.

Regular checkups can help identify changes in your horse's health, allowing you to take preventative measures and avoid more serious issues down the line.

For more insights, see: Health and Safety in Veterinary Practice

At our equine veterinary practice, we take the health and well-being of your horse seriously. We offer a range of diagnostic tools to help us identify any potential issues.

Our ambulatory veterinarians are equipped with a portable x-ray machine, allowing us to take convenience to the next level by performing x-rays at your farm or barn. We also have an ultrasound machine, which enables us to diagnose suspensory injuries, inject joints, and perform abdominal exams.

We use endoscopy and rhinoscopy to visualize the inner aspects of your horse, helping us to reach a speedy diagnosis. Our diagnostic tools include ultrasound, portable digital x-ray, and shockwave therapy, all of which are state-of-the-art and designed to provide your horse with the highest level of care possible.

Here are some of the diagnostic tests we offer:

Regular checkups are essential to establish a baseline in your horse's health and catch any potential problems early. Our staff will perform a complete physical examination, monitor your horse's weight, and look for any signs of illness or injury.

Regular checkups are essential for establishing a baseline in your horse's health and catching any potential problems early on. This allows us to monitor your horse's weight and ensure they stay a healthy weight, making it easier to start a diet if needed.

Regular exams are recommended, even if your horse appears healthy, as health problems can become more serious issues when left untreated.

Our veterinarian will do a complete physical examination on your horse, looking for any potential problems and developing a care plan with your farrier and other professionals. This collaborative approach helps us catch problems before they become major ones.

The sooner we can catch a problem, the easier it is to treat and the more likely your horse will make a full recovery.

Our hospital provides a wide range of diagnostic testing with the most state-of-the-art technology available. This allows us to provide your horse with the highest level of care possible.

We have a variety of diagnostic tools at our disposal, including ultrasound, portable digital X-ray, and shockwave therapy. These tools help us identify potential health issues early on, so we can take action to prevent them from becoming major problems.

Regular checkups are essential for establishing a baseline in your horse's health. This helps us catch any potential problems before they become serious issues.

Our staff will conduct a thorough physical examination, monitor your horse's weight, and look for any potential problems. We'll also collaborate with your farrier and other professionals to develop a care plan for your horse.

Here are some of the diagnostic tools we use:

It's essential to catch problems early on, as this makes treatment much easier and more effective. The sooner we can identify a problem, the more likely your horse will make a full recovery.

Coggins testing is a crucial element of equine preventive care, helping to detect equine infectious anemia (EIA) in horses. This highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease can be identified through the Coggins test, which detects antibodies to the EIA virus.

Horse owners should have Coggins tests performed annually and test all new horses arriving on their farm. This helps prevent the spread of the disease to healthy horses.

A current, negative Coggins test result is required to transport horses across state lines and to attend equine events. Most stables require new boarders to provide a negative test result.

Our clinic offers a range of diagnostic services, including arthroscopy, colic surgery, hernia repair, ligament and tendon surgery, and respiratory/sinus procedures. We also have portable x-ray and ultrasound machines for convenience at your farm/barn.

The ultrasound machine is used to diagnose suspensory injuries, inject joints, perform abdominal exams, and more.

Readers also liked: Veterinary Surgery Technician

As an equine veterinary practice, we see a range of conditions that can affect a horse's performance and overall health.

Poor performance can be caused by lameness or spinal musculoskeletal injuries, which can make it difficult for a horse to move comfortably and perform at its best.

Lameness is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, including musculoskeletal injuries, which can lead to pain and discomfort for the horse.

Horses with lameness may exhibit subtle signs such as a change in gait or a reluctance to move, making it essential to monitor their behavior and performance closely.

Musculoskeletal injuries can also cause performance-altering behavioral changes, such as a decrease in enthusiasm or a reluctance to participate in activities.

Upper and lower airway conditions can also impact a horse's performance, leading to respiratory issues and a decrease in overall health.

Neurologic dysfunction can cause a range of problems, from mild tremors to severe seizures, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries or infections.

Cardiac disease can also affect a horse's performance, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.

Performance-altering behavioral changes can also be caused by reproductive disorders, which can affect a horse's overall health and well-being.

Here are some common conditions that can affect a horse's performance:

At Iron Horse Equine, we provide expert care for horses of all ages and breeds, and our team of experienced equine veterinarians has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

Our veterinarians are experienced and highly trained, and we utilize the highest level of medical technology to ensure the best possible care for your horse.

We believe in keeping you informed throughout the process, and we will communicate with you about the things you need to know before, during, and after your horse's surgery.

Field surgeries provide several important services, including castrations, laceration repairs, and enucleations.

We want to assure you that your horse is in good hands, and we will do everything to provide the best care possible, making the entire process go smoothly and eliminating the stress and worry of surgical procedures.