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Keeping a healthy horse starts with routine wellness exams.
Nearly every horse owner has experienced the anxiety of an equine medical emergency. But did you know many emergency calls never have to happen?
Certain kinds of colic, lameness, some foaling conditions and nearly all common equine diseases are examples of “potential” emergencies that may be prevented through twice-a-year wellness exams, routine vaccinations and year-round parasite control. Here’s why twice-a-year wellness exams can reduce frightening and costly emergency calls—and help your horse live a longer, healthier life:
- Spring and fall exams give your equine practitioner the opportunity to detect, treat and prevent problems before they result in emergencies or a prolonged setback
- Semi-annual visits allow your veterinarian to tailor season-specific vaccinations and parasite control treatments at the time of year when they are most beneficial
- Twice-a-year exams help your veterinarian better address the many medical issues of senior horses, which, like other animals, age faster than humans
- Spring and fall visits give you the opportunity to ask your veterinarian about nutrition, behavior, emerging disease threats in your area and other horse health issues
The equine wellness exam: What to expect.
Your veterinarian will probably begin by asking about your horse’s diet, level of activity, behavior, performance issues and any changes since the last veterinary visit. Be sure to answer as completely and honestly as possible. In addition, your equine practitioner may perform the following procedures:
- Assessment of the horse’s overall conditioning – are weight and appearance appropriate for the age, breed and level of activity? Are there any obvious – or not-so-obvious—signs of disease, infection or other illness?
- Analysis of posture and gait
- Examination of the haircoat and skin
- Listening to the heartbeat
- Listening to the lungs
- Listening to the abdomen
- Eye examination
- Dental examination
- Palpation of the lymph nodes
- Neurologic exam/testing reflexes
- Examination of reproductive organs
- Administration of appropriate vaccinations
- Parasite consultation/administer parasite control
Disease prevention: A cornerstone of equine wellness.
Horses are vulnerable to a wide range of neurological, respiratory, reproductive and other diseases. Fortunately, most of them are preventable through routine vaccination. Your equine practitioner will recommend a vaccination protocol based on the results of your horse’s wellness exam, vaccination history, disease threats in your area and the time of year (some vaccines are more effective given in the spring). Some of the most common equine vaccinations include the following (some of which may be administered in combination):
- West Nile virus
- Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE)
- Influenza
- Tetanus toxoid
- Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4)
- Strangles (Strep. equi)
- Rabies
- Potomac horse fever
- Botulism
- Equine viral arteritis
- Rotavirus
Twice-a-year wellness exams and routine vaccination are just some of the ways you can reduce emergency calls and help your horse live a longer, healthier life. For more helpful information, contact your veterinarian.
When should you call the veterinarian?
How do you know when a problem is serious enough to place an emergency call to the veterinarian? Here are some general guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners:
- Any uncontrolled bleeding
- Foreign objects protruding from the body (don’t remove them!)
- Lacerations
- Injury to the eye or eyelids
- Aggressive or unusual behavior
- Neurologic signs (tripping, walking into objects)
- Lameness
- Mares which are actively in labor for more than 20 minutes without progress
- Difficulty breathing
- Multiple animals getting sick at once
The bottom line? When in doubt, call the veterinarian! By acting quickly, you can help minimize the severity of any equine medical emergency – and help ensure your horse lives a long and healthy life.
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