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NEWS |
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SPRING AND FALL WELLNESS EXAMS HELP HORSES STAY HEALTHY YEAR 'ROUND Contact:
Kelly Goss
Fort Dodge Animal Health
(913) 664-7276 office
or
Sally Baker, APR
American Association of Equine Practitioners
Phone: (859) 233-0147
e-mail: sbaker@aaep.org
Lexington, Ky., and Overland Park, Kan. (April 24, 2006) – Nearly every horse owner has experienced an equine medical emergency. Certain kinds of colic, lameness, some foaling conditions and nearly all common equine diseases are examples of “potential” emergencies. Many crises, however, can be prevented with twice-a-year wellness exams, routine vaccinations and year ‘round parasite control.
Semi-annual wellness exams allow a veterinarian to tailor season-specific vaccinations and parasite control treatments at the time of year when they are most beneficial. By scheduling exams in the spring and fall, horse owners also have the opportunity to consult with their veterinarian about nutrition, behavior, emerging disease threats in the area and other horse health issues.
“While there’s no way to completely eliminate emergency situations, a comprehensive health program, complete with spring and fall wellness exams, will minimize the chance of unexpected, life threatening and costly illness,” says Robert Magnus, DVM, founder and partner of the Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital. “Wellness exams are the best way to detect, treat and, ideally, prevent health problems before they become serious or result in a prolonged setback.”
According to Dr. Magnus, whose clinic has offered a twice-a-year wellness exam program for the past six years, a typical equine wellness exam includes:
Horse owners can learn more about wellness exams through America’s Healthy Horse, the new equine wellness educational campaign sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and Fort Dodge Animal Health. The campaign provides veterinarians with materials to help educate clients about the importance of spring and fall wellness exams in helping to prevent problems before they result in emergencies or a prolonged setback. In addition, twice-a-year wellness exams help veterinarians better address the many medical issues of senior horses, which, like other animals, age faster than humans. The best source for equine health information, including nutrition, behavior and emerging disease threats, is the horse owner’s personal veterinarian.
About the sponsors
The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth (NYSE:WYE), is a leading manufacturer and distributor of products for the equine, livestock, companion animal, swine and poultry industries in North America and international markets. As a committed partner to veterinary practitioners, horse and pet owners, and livestock producers worldwide, Fort Dodge is making a difference in the future of animal health through innovative research and product development that address current and emerging animal health needs. Key products include West Nile-Innovator® and Innovator® combination vaccines, Fluvac Innovator® vaccines, QUEST® Gel and QUEST® Plus.
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