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Reproductive health
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Nutrition and body condition plans
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Health certificates and travel passports
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Pre-purchase exams
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Sheath cleanings
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Pain management
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Allergy relief
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Microchipping
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Colic services
Equine Care
Whether you have a race-horse, a pasture pony, or a livestock-guarding donkey, we offer a wide variety of services for all of your equine companions' medical needs. Semi-annual vaccination and wellness exams are recommended in order to maintain optimal health. We also recommend testing fecal for intestinal parasites and sticking to a regular de-worming schedule based on their test results.
Regular exams allow your doctor to fully understand your horse when she/he is healthy and have that as a reference if they ever do have a medical emergency. Often times, these annual and semi-anuual visits allow the doctors to catch irregularities early on, diagnose and treat proactively, and even prevent larger issues in the future.
Annual wellness exams are fundamental in maintaining long-term health for your companions. Routine vaccinations, maintenance lab work, parasite prevention, nutrition plans are just some of the key topics discussed in yearly checkups.
What to expect:
When you and your companion come for their annual exam, you can expect a well-rounded, thorough assessment of their general health. Your vet will also provide insight and answers to any questions and/or concerns you may have. Our staff is trained to use techniques involving low stress and positive reward in order for you and your horse to have the most positive experience possible. Depending on our clients' needs, we offer care at our clinic or farm calls where we provide ambulatory services.
General Condition
Your vet will begin by assessing your horse's general condition -- from body weight, to coat and skin health, to any obvious lumps or other abnormalities. They will then discuss these findings with you and go over any specific concerns you might have.
Nose-to-tail Exam
Your doctor will then go ahead with what we call, a "nose-to-tail" exam. This includes a thorough, hands-on exam of your horse. They will begin by looking at their eyes, ears, mouth, and nose for any discharge, growths, signs of disease, excessive plaque, and/or any other abnormalities.
Next, they will move on to internal health. Lymph nodes will be examined for any signs of swelling or pain. Their abdomen will be assessed as well to check for any abnormalities in the internal structures. The vet will also determine if there are any issues regarding your horses heart or lungs by listening to them in a resting position.
Vaccinations and Testing
Once your vet has ensured your animal is healthy enough handle annual/semi-annual vaccinations, those will be administered gently and efficiently. We will also recommend testing their fecal for intestinal parasites and putting them on a regular deworming schedule based on their results. Coggins and regular blood testing is always recommended during annual visits, especially in our senior patients. This allows us to stay ahead of any possible diseases or abnormalities and possibly provide treatment before it becomes a problem.
Wellness Plans
Before your visit is over, your vet will go over any necessary wellness plans based on your companion's assessment. This may include dietary instructions, regular medications and/or therapies, any necessary recheck appointments or referrals for further treatment, and any other general advice they might have.
5 months
6 months
7-8 months
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Rabies 1 year
Annual
Semi-annual
Vaccinations & Deworming
Regular vaccinations and deworming can help protect your horse from getting many harmful diseases. During their annual exam, these will always be recommended. Since every horse requires different treatment based on their lifestyle, we will discuss what vaccines and dewormers are best for them.
Vaccination and Screening Schedule
Annual and semi-annual vaccines and tests can protect your horse from many diseases. Based on their life-style, we'll find a vaccine schedule that it best for them.
5 months
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1st Tetanus Toxoid
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1st Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis
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1st West Nile Virus
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1st Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis)
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1st Equine Influenza Virus
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Streptococcus equi ssp. (Strangles)
6 months
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2nd Tetanus Toxoid
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2nd Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis
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2nd West Nile Virus
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2nd Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis)
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2nd Equine Influenza Virus
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Coggins test
7-8 months
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Rabies 1 year
Annual
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Tetanus Toxoid
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Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis
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Rabies
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Streptococcus equi ssp. (Strangles)
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Coggins test
Semi-annual
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West Nile Virus
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Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis)
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Equine Influenza Virus
Regular Deworming Schedule for Equines
A consistent deworming schedule based on their specific needs, is very important to your horse's well-being. We first test their fecal to assess their parasite level, and then we base their schedule accordingly.
We recommend bringing in a fecal sample before deworming your equines to appropriately classify them. Classifying your horse can help you understand your horses deworming needs. Some may need deworming 3-4 times a year. When other horses may only require 2 times yearly. It is an important and simple test to help keep your horses healthy and possibly save you some money.
**If you are a new client, please be sure to have your animal's medical records sent over at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. This allows us to provide you with a smooth and efficient first experience.
Coggins Testing
We are proud to have the only Official USDA Certified Coggins Laboratory in Northwest Florida located in our clinic!
Having a Coggins lab inside our clinic allows us to provide our clients with extremely fast results if needed. We offer next day, 3 day, and routine tests depending on the time frame our clients need their results by. Last minute travel can always be stressful. Which is why we are proud to offer this efficient testing to our clients in order to help lessen the stress load!
In the state of Florida, all horses moving within the state must have an official report of a negative equine infectious anemia tests (EIA or Coggins) dated within 12 months of the blood sample being taken.
Foals under 6 months of age accompanied by their dam that has proof of an official, negative EIA test are exempted from test requirements. An official EIA test must be conducted at a state and federally approved laboratory.
Want more information about federal requirements and regulations for Coggins testing? Click the link below to read more on the The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website:
Chiropractic Care
What to expect:
Chiropractic work focuses on the skeletal structures and their mechanical alignment. This type of therapy can be extremely helpful for horses of all backgrounds, whether they are in regular competitions or just older horses with pain and stiffness. When you and your horse come in for a chiropractic exam, Dr. Thompson will go over any issues they may be experiencing and discuss and questions or concerns you might have. She will then continue on to her exam and assess where she detects any pain, stiffness, or misalignment. She will carefully palpate your horse's joins and check their range of motion. At this point, any necessary stretching, massaging, and/or manipulating will take place. Each step is thoroughly explained as it is happening so that you are fully aware of what your horse is experiencing during their visit.
Dr. Tabetha Thompson is a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner and offers chiropractic exams for any horses experiencing pain, stiffness, or spasms in their muscular and skeletal systems.
We offer two different types of chiropractic exams. The first is a full chiropractic visit, in which the doctor will spend more time assessing and manipulating the full body. However, if your horse has one area that is consistently the issue, you might want to schedule the shorter and more specific chiropractic appointment that focuses primarily on resolving their problem spot.
Dental Checks & Floats
Dental health is an extremely important part of a horse's over-all well-being. We recommend having your horse's teeth checked and possibly floated every 6 months to a year. Without proper dental care, your horse may struggle with jaw misalignment, painful sores and ulcers, and difficulty chewing and eating their food -- resulting in unwanted weight loss.
What to expect:
If the doctor has examined your horse's teeth and has recommended treatment, you will go ahead with a dental float. A dental float is a routine procedure in which your vet will use specialized power tools to grind down any sharp molar edges that might be causing ulcers or abscesses inside their mouth. Before beginning, a light sedative will be administered in order to eliminated any anxiety your horse might experience. Additionally, if any teeth need to be pulled, your doctor will do so during this procedure.
Some signs that your horse needs a dental check include...
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Dropping feed
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Gum irritation/bleeding
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Swelling in the face or jaw
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Foul odor coming from the mouth
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Tilting/moving head while chewing
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Head tossing & resisting a bit
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Weight loss or decreased body condition
Surgical Procedures
The thought of your companion having surgery can be a source of anxiety and stress for many horse owners. Our compassionate veterinary team is trained to make sure that they are well cared for from the moment you drop them off, until you pick them back up. Whether your horse needs minor surgery or a complex procedure, our surgical services can benefit your pet and possibly even save their life. Before surgery day, we will do any necessary testing and treatments in order to ensure your horse has the best possible outcome. On surgery day, our goal is to provide you and your animal with a stress-free, safe, and successful experience.
Common surgeries we offer to our equine patients:
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Reproductive issues
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Standard castrations
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Cryporchid castrations
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Laceration repair
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Mass removals
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Hematoma repair
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Umbilical and inguinal hernia repair
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Minor joint trauma repair
**If your horse requires a surgery or procedure that goes beyond our physical and/or technical capabilities, we will refer you to Auburn University Veterinary Clinic.
We offer many other services for our equine patients.
These include but are not limited to...
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Reproductive health
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Mare and foal care
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Nutrition and body condition plans
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Health certificates and passports
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Pre-purchase exams
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Lameness exams
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Sheath cleanings
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Pain management
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Allergy relief
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Microchipping
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Colic services
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Medication therapies
Call today if you have any questions or concerns regarding treatment for your equine
