Spring has finally sprung in Wyoming! With warmer weather comes more opportunities to spend time with your horse herd. Having a solid spring wellness program ensures that your horses are in top shape and prepared for the upcoming warmer weather.
Vaccinations – We recommend a basic annual vaccination program that includes West Nile, Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rabies, Equine Influenza and Equine Herpesvirus. While this sounds like a lot, these are typically integrated into two or three separate injections. Depending on your situation we may suggest additional risk-based vaccinations. Most equine vaccinations are labeled for a primary injection followed by a booster in 2-4 weeks, and then one dose annually after this initial period. Our doctors are available to administer vaccinations or provide brand recommendations if desired. We also keep Zoetis Innovator equine vaccine in stock for dispensing.
Deworming – Spring is the ideal time to treat parasites with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic. We keep several dewormer options on hand for dispensing. A fecal examination can also be performed prior to deworming to assess the severity of parasite infection. This helps to identify the best course of treatment or frequency of treatment. This test can be done at your horse’s annual wellness exam or with a fresh fecal sample provided at your convenience.
Hoof Care – In warmer weather, it is generally recommended that horses are trimmed or shod at least every 6-8 weeks. Performance horses may require more frequent trimming. Contact your farrier for regular hoof care. More severe hoof problems such as abscesses, laminitis or navicular syndrome may require veterinary care that we would be happy to assist with.
Dental Exam – We recommend annual dental exams to stay on top of various issues ranging from abnormal wear to loose/fractured teeth, decay, and sores. Most of these problems can be easily corrected with regular care but can turn into serious complications if left untreated. Horses with more severe dental problems may require more frequent examinations. During the exam, horses are lightly sedated and a speculum is used to prop the mouth open to get a good view of the teeth. Corrective procedures such as floating (essentially grinding the teeth level) or extracting any bad teeth can be carried out at this time.
Travel Preparations – If you plan to travel in the upcoming months, ensure you have a current Coggins/Equine Infectious Anemia test on hand (Coggins are generally good for 1 year). Most states require a Certified Veterinary Health Inspection with a negative Coggins 30 days prior to interstate travel. Some states now offer extended health certificates that are good for 6 months – ask us for more details!
Call our clinic today to schedule an annual equine wellness exam! Now is the perfect time for a comprehensive exam covering general health checkups, vaccinations, deworming, Coggins testing, and more!
Owl Creek Veterinary Service 