BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSES! Make a New Years resolution to spend more time riding your horse.
DR KATIE WILL BE MAKING MORE FARM CALLS IN 2025.
There continues to be a serious lack of mobile equine veterinarians in our area. Dr Katie will do her best to provide on-site services to clients. Farm call fees have increased slightly. It continues to be more economical to bring your horse to the clinic if possible. If you need to have your horse transported to the clinic, you can call Felicia Abbot 972-965-4530, Isiah Hunt 214-289-9393, or Chance Cates 559-772-2348.
Coggins Testing
January is a great time to do a coggins test on your horse. It is then good for all of 2025!
AAEP Meeting
Dr Katie attended the AAEP American Association for Equine Practitioners meeting in Florida in December. Here is some practical information from the presentations given:
Melanomas
In gray horses Melanomas are a gene variant. How quickly the horse turns gray determines the risk for melanomas. The slower the horse turns gray; the risk is decreased. If the horse turns gray fast, there is an increased rate of melanoma.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells from the horse’s bone marrow are often injected into injured joints and tendons. These cells do not turn into tendon or cartilage tissue but secrete bio active factors for repair & cartilage protection. Biologic treatments such as stem cells, PRP Platelet Rich Plasma, IRAP work when given early at the time of injury. They do not work if given late in the healing process.
Oxytocin
Given at 10 days after ovulation for 6 daily injections, Oxytocin prevents the mare from coming in heat for 2 months. Regumate given daily (orally), keeps the mare out of heat as long as she is on it.
The Placenta
After foaling, place the placenta into an F shape on the ground to show the 2 horns and body. Inspectit to confirm that she has passed all of the placenta (white amnion can be attached to it). If unsure, call your vet. Your mare will require veterinary treatment if she has retained even a small part of the placenta.
Easy Keepers/Overweight Horses
Specialty low starch feeds are available for the Insulin resistant/fat horse that seems to stay fat on air.
*Nutrena Safe Choice Special Care feed or Triple Crown low starch are 11% starch feeds.
*Purina WellSolve or Blue Bonnet X Factor low starch feeds contain 7% starch.
*Triple Crown Lite is a 5% starch feed.
Gastric Ulcers
An injectable long-acting omeprazole has shown to be effective for treating gastric ulcers. Giving 2 doses; 5-7 days apart, in conjunction with Sucralfate oral medicine is recommended. Follow up with a gastric ulcer supplement such as Hyaluronic acid, B Glucan, or U Gard pellets.
Eye Enucleation.
Dr. Katie went to a session on Eye Enucleation (Removal). She can now do surgical removal of the eye with the tranquilized horse standing in the stocks. This is much easier and safer for all involved than laying the horse down under anesthesia, to remove the eye.
Castration Signs: January 2,3 and Jan 28,29. (weather permitting)
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