The Coughing Horse
Treating a coughing horse, can be challenging. Often it is not as simple as some antibiotics and they will be fine. We may need to work out the cause, whether that be infectious, allergy based or a combination. It is very important to know what is the cause and then tailor treatment for the cause. Taking samples of the cells in the lungs and the trachea can help us know the cause and then treat accordingly.
What joint medications do we use?
Choosing which joint medication to use and when is an important decision to be made. It can not often be a simple answer and we often need to consider multiple aspects before choosing the right medication. Age and intended use of the horse can have an affect along with any health issues.
Return to exercise in rehab?
Rehab is such an important part of a horse’s return to riding. It is a balance act between doing too little and doing too much. We have to push the injured area to continual to heal and accomodate the increase in exercise levels. Doing that is an art and takes time to develop that skill to push to the edge but not over the edge of the cliff.
Return to Competition
Returning to competition after a break for many horses, is an important chance to catch up on your veterinary management. Whether it be vaccinations, foot balance issues, dental check ups and even joint treatments. Without the stress of competition time line we can use this times to set your horse up for the season.
Why Gastroscope your horse versus just treating?
Getting a gastroscope done before any treatment is so important. It allows you a chance to know what you are dealing with and also be able to quantify how treatment is going. Glandular ulcers in horses are very common. Also not responding universally to treatment so knowing what you have with before treatment is vitally important.
Insulin Dysregulation or Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is most likely seen in horses and ponies where there is a dysregulation between the production of insulin and the sensitivity of the cells to the insulin. Read on for top 5 things you need to know about Insulin Dysregulation and EMS as a horse owner.
Pre-Purchase Risk Assessment
A pre-purchase is a risk assessment based on the clinical findings on the day of examination. The pre-purchase exam will involve a clinical exam and may include blood tests, radiographs and ultrasound examinations. At the conclusion of the pre-purchase examination, all of the information is collated and a risk assessment is given for the horse that takes into account its suitability for the intended purpose and the likelihood of future veterinary issues arising during its working life.