Equine Services 

Equine services offered starting December 2020!

Dentistry:

Horses need regular preventive dental maintenance every six months to one year. Unlike people, horses' teeth have an eruption rate of two-three mm per year. The teeth should wear in correspondence to yearly eruption rate. Malocclusions, or improper position of the teeth, can lead to many health issues and behavioral problems.

Identifying dental problems as early as possible is important. There are several factors that come into play at a young age that might increase treatment needed, or make a remedy even possible: loss of food while eating; eats hay before his grain; grain in water bucket; difficulty chewing or excess salivation; loss of body condition; large undigested food particles in manure larger than one quarter inch; head tilting or tossing; bit chewing; tongue lolling; tries to rear while bridling; fighting the bit or resisting the bridal; bucking or failing to stop or turn; foul odor from the mouth or nostrils; traces of blood in the mouth; or nasal discharge or swelling of the face. Other horses may not show noticeable signs, because they just simply adapt to their discomfort.

Vaccinations: 

Vaccines are preparations of killed microorganisms, living weakened microorganisms, etc. introduced into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease by causing the formation of antibodies. Vaccines are very delicate compounds, which if handled or administered incorrectly will be ineffective or neutralized.

Most vaccines are administered initially as a two-shot series and then annually or semiannually. The vaccines and vaccine protocols listed below are tailored to our practice and geographic location and follow the guidelines of the AAEP.

Core Vaccines:

• Eastern Encephalomyelitis
• Western Encephalomyelitis
  
  Encephalomyelitis is caused by a virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos. The virus causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  The vaccine is very effective against the disease. The protection lasts approximately 6-12 months, therefore we recommend administering the vaccine in the early spring (March-April), high risk animals may receive a booster vaccine 6 months later.
  
  
• West Nile
  
  West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitos. Since 1999 over 25,000 thousand cases of West Nile have been diagnosed in the USA. The virus causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. We recommend administering the vaccine in early spring (March-April), high risk animal may receive a booster vaccine 6 months later.
  
• Tetanus Toxoid
  
  Tetanus is a disease caused by a specific toxin of a bacillus (Clostridium tetani) which usually enters the body through wounds. It is characterized by spasmodic contractions and rigidity of some or all of the voluntary muscles (especially of the jaw, face and neck). The bacteria is found in horse manure. The vaccine is very effective and administered once yearly. The vaccine is boostered in case of  laceration, surgery, or pentrating wounds.
  
  
• Rabies
  
  Rabies is a viral disease that infects the nervous system of mammals. It is transmitted through contact with the saliva of infected animals. It is 100% fatal. The vaccine is given once yearly and is very effective.
  
  

Risk-Based Vaccines: 

**While extremely effective at reducing disease duration, severity and spreading, some are not 100% effective. 

• Equine Herpes (Rhinophneumonitis)
  
  Rhinopneumonitis is a herpes virus which causes respiratory infections, abortions, and inflammation of the spinal cord. Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at 3.5, 7 and 9 months from the breeding date. The vaccine does not protect against the neurologic form of the disease.
  
  
• Equine Influenza
  
  Influenza is a virus that causes high fever and respiratory infection. Horses travelling to shows, sales, racing events, etc.. should be vaccinated every 6-12 months based on risk factors. 
  
  
• Equine Strangles
  
  Strangles is a bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus equi. It is highly contagious and may cause the following signs: high fever, abscessed lymph nodes, and respiratory infection. Horses may develop guttural pouch infections, sinus infections, purpura hemorrhagica, laryngeal paralysis, and bastard strangles. There is an intranasal vaccine which is more effective than the intramuscular vaccine. The vaccine is given once a year except in endemic barns (that have frequent outbreaks) where semiannual vaccination is recommended.
  
  
• Potomac Horse Fever 
  
  Potomac Horse Fever is caused by the parasite Neorickettsia risticii. Horses are infected through small land snails that carry the parasite. It is not contagious and occurs more commonly in wet areas, and while uncommon in Missouri, it is becoming more widespread. The disease causes high fever, laminitis, and severe diarrhea. The vaccine is fairly effective and is administered once a year.