Spring Evening Talk

Thank you to everyone who attended our evening Veterinary talk and, given by the questions that were asked of our Speakers, all the subjects were of interest. We are grateful for the support of Pfizer Animal Health, Paul Blanc and Mark Baker.  Our own vet Sarah McDonald gave a very informative talk about hooves and how they should be maintain to help keep your horse sound. The offer relating to this subject is x-rays taken of your horse's front hooves for £180+VAT which can then be discussed with your farrier by the attending vet.  Rear hooves can also be done if required.

Do let us know of any subject that is of interest to you that we can include in our next Veterinary evening. 

Zone Visits

We are offering Zone visits in addition to all our usual services. Every Wednesday one of our Vets will be available to do routine work within that zone allowing you to make savings on the call-out fee charge. The call-out fee will be charged at a reduced rate of £9.50 including VAT per client. Zone 1 will be the first Wednesday of each month, Zone 2 will be the second Wednesday, Zone 3 will be the third Wednesday and Zone 4 the forth Wednesday of each month. See zone_visits page for more details.

Spring laminitis myths!

It is a common belief that laminitis in the spring is caused by access to lush pasture, especially if the horse or pony is overweight. However new research has demonstrated that 90% of laminitis cases are the result of an underlying hormonal condition, namely Cushing’s disease (PPID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Unless one of these conditions is present, grazing alone is unlikely to cause laminitis.
In order to correctly diagnose and treat such laminitis cases, it is important that horses and ponies with an underlying hormonal disease are identified. Laminitis has the potential to cause extensive damage to the feet even before clinical signs are evident. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical if the crippling changes that are seen in the disease are to be avoided. If your horse or pony is within the 90% that do have an underlying hormonal disease, then a clear diagnosis will enable us to treat the laminitis appropriately and help to prevent future painful episodes.

Cushing’s disease (PPID) and EMS can be easily diagnosed by blood tests. The practice is supporting the “Talk About Laminitis” initiative, which will help us to test laminitis-prone horses and ponies for underlying hormonal diseases. From April to June the laboratory fees for the first blood test which detects Cushing’s disease will be free, so spring into action now and talk to us about laminitis. This offer is kindly sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.

Please call the practice on 01293 862345 to discuss how your horse or pony can benefit from this scheme and to book an appointment. For more information and to download your free blood test voucher visit www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk.