Routine work:
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Dental work; the advantage of using vets to do dental work is that we can sedate a horse as needed as well as do the work which means you only have to pay for one person. Poor dentition can lead to resistance to the bit, quidding and weight loss.
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Castrations; we can castrate a colt from approximately 6 months as long as both testicles have descended. We also operate on rigs if needed. |
Lameness
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We can carry out full investigations for lameness at your yard. We will use trot-ups, flexion tests and local anaesthesia nerve blocks to work out the location of the cause of the lameness where necessary.
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We have a portable x-ray machine and good quality ultrasound machine to visualise the cause and severity of lameness if possible.
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We can then use treatments where appropriate to treat the lameness or refer to specialist surgeons if needed.
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The ultrasound scanner means we can visualise any lesion in your horse's tendons causing lameness and then monitor how well it is healing during recovery so we can adapt the rehabilitation programme accordingly.
Reproduction and fertility
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We offer scanning for pregnancy diagnosis and blood tests for pregnancy. This can be done from 16 days after serving.
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Scanning is important to allow us to see if there are twins present as this will often lead to abortion of both.
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Scanning at day 30 enables us to be sure that there is a viable foal. This is important because if the developing foal has died the mare's uterus develops by day 35 so that she cannot get pregnant again that year. |
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Emergencies
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Colic; if your horse is showing signs of colic (kicking its belly, continuous rolling, sweated up, flank watching, stamping, teeth grinding, pacing) we will come at any time of day to carry out a full clinical examination and give treatments as needed. 97% of colics can be treated by us using particular drugs/therapies but 3% will be beyond the capability of medical treatment at which point we may need to refer you to specialist surgical facilities. If this is the case it is important that we do this as early as possible to give your horse the best chance of recovering which is why we get to you as quickly as possible if your horse is showing any of the above symptoms.
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Choke; this is where your horse gets something stuck in its food pipe. Signs of this include drooling, coughing, extended neck and they can become very stressed which is why we respond quickly. We will often treat just with drugs to begin with to relax the muscle and allow the obstruction to pass. If this fails we can then use more intense therapies such as flushing the food pipe to try and pass the obstruction down to the stomach.
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Wounds; the most serious wounds are often ones that look less serious but are on the lower legs where the skin is very close to vital structures. It is important we diagnose these fast to give the best chance of complete recovery.
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Severe lameness
All these scenarios and others can be very stressful for both you and your horse which is why you need the vet at the other end of the phone to offer advice and a visit if needed.
We routinely vaccinate against Influenza and Tetanus. Tetanus is a disease which is rapidly fatal in horses and easily prevented by vaccination. It is a bacterial disease which infects animals through wounds. Influenza is a very contagious disease and will rapidly spread through a population but is rarely fatal.
Horses can be vaccinated from 6 months of age.
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BHS/Jockey Club Rules |
FEI Rules |
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1st Vaccination:
Influenza and Tetanus |
First vaccination can be done from 6 months of age |
First vaccination can be done from 6 months of age |
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2nd Vaccination:
Influenza and Tetanus |
Second vaccination between 21 and 92 days after the initial injection |
Second vaccination between 21 and 92 days after the initial injection |
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3rd Vaccination:
Influenza only |
Third vaccination between 150 and 215 days after the second |
Within 6 months and 21 days after the second injection |
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Boosters:
Influenza at least yearly and Tetanus once every other year |
Must be done within 365 days of the previous vaccination each year. Even one day over will mean starting the entire course of injections again.
Horses must not be vaccinated in the 7 days before a competition. |
Boosters must be done within 365 days of the last vaccination but also within 6 months and 21 days of FEI competition/entering stables for the competition. Consequently horses competing regularly will need twice yearly boosters.
Horses must not be vaccinated in the 7 days before a competition/entry to stables. |
It is especially important that horses used competitively are kept up to date with their vaccinations. If vaccinations are not given within this time period the whole course must be begun again.
This scheme will be of benefit to you and your horse whether you have a happy hacker or top eventer, at DIY livery or private yard.
How does it benefit you as a horse owner?
This is the most effective method of worm control and reduces the build up of wormer resistance in the worm population in your horse. It will also save you money if your horse doesn’t need worming. An annual visit from your vet will help prevent dental problems which can lead to weight loss, choke, colic and problems with the bit. This also saves money on call out fees as everything can be done in one trip.
*If you buy your wormers from us we will ensure they are rotated to reduce build up of resistance in the worms.
*If you have your own dentist you wish to carry on using you can pay the basic scheme price but get the tapeworm blood test instead of the dental.
The basic scheme offers:
- Annual vaccination.
- Dental check up and rasping.
- Quarterly worm egg counts.
- Annual health and weight check.
Did you know??
80% of worms exist in only in 20% of horses. This means that most horses don’t need to be wormed as regularly as you may think. Using worm egg counts means we know exactly what your horse’s worm burden is and only treat if needed saving you money on wormers. It also helps to prevent the build up of wormer resistance in the worms on your pastures.
Price of basic scheme:
£8.95/month which can be done by direct debit. This scheme saves you over £40/year plus the cost of money saved in worming. In this scheme you can treat routinely once/year for tapeworm or pay an additional cost for the blood test.
Optional extra:
- Annual blood test for tapeworms.
Did you know??
Tapeworms can build up in your horse’s guts and put them at greater risk of colic. Not all wormers treat tapeworm and not all horses need treatment.
Price with optional extra included:
£12.50/month which can be done by direct debit. This saves you a further £5.00/year on top of the basic scheme saving. This scheme includes the blood test for tapeworm annually allowing you to only worm for this if necessary based on the results of the test.
*These prices do not include call out charges.
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