Once an emergency is encountered, act in a calm, efficient manner. First, obtain assistance so that you are not injured by your horse. Stabilize your horse, if possible, and bandage wounds if appropriate. Informing the veterinarian of your horse’s vital signs will help him assess the situation. Knowing your horse’s normal temperature, pulse, and respiration rates and having practiced taking them is important before you are faced with an emergency. Be able to tell your veterinarian the location of your horse and make sure the property or trail location is easily identifi able.

Finally, have a “worst-case scenario” plan in place. Phone numbers and directions to your primary care veterinarian and the referral hospital should be posted or in your emergency kit. Have your trailer clean and in working order. If your horse is insured, know the benefi ts of your policy and have the number of your agent handy.

No one wants to see their horse in distress. By doing some research and planning prior to an emergency, you will be better able to handle the situation. The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic sells a well-stocked fi rst aid kit - perfect for
your barn or trailer. Feel free to ask your veterinarian for more information regarding equine emergency care. We are just a phone call away.
Have a safe, emergency-free summer!
Dr. Theresa Schreiner, Associate

In our December, 2008 Lead Line, we introduced the concern that emerging resistance to anthelmintics(dewormers) by internal parasites necessitated improvements to our control strategies. The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic recently developed a new deworming schedule, based on each horse’s needs.

Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) should be performed on all horses in the spring, prior to the first deworming. The FEC will identify the type and number of parasites hosted by the horse and the horse will be identified as a light, medium, or high shedder as determined by the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Owners
should wait 9 weeks after administration of Strongid or Panacur, 12 weeks after deworming with Ivermectin or Equimax, or 16 weeks after deworming with Quest to perform the initial Fecal Egg Count.

Fecal Egg Count Reduction (FECR) tests are utilized to assure the treatment was effective and to identify horses that will require more aggressive deworming

strategies. Timing is critical, for a FECR test must be done between 10 days and two weeks after the initial deworming. Ideally, a FEC and FECR will be done each time a new dewormer is used to determine if resistance has developed to each particular drug.

Failure of the drug to signifi cantly lower the FEC may indicate that (a) the horse did not receive an adequate dose of dewormer of (b) parasite resistance. At that time, it is important to consult with your veterinarian.
Fecals require three to four fecal balls that are collected fresh, kept cold, delivered within 24 hours to the clinic, and labeled with the name of the horse, owner, and the date of collection.

The deworming schedules below may require modifi cation by farm and/or individual. Please consult
with your veterinarian for guidance.

As anyone who has bought a new horse property knows, there are many different types of fencing. How to choose the right one? That is the question. There are many types of effective horse fencing, but there is no “best” fence. Each fencing type has its advantages and disadvantages. There are these constants in all good horse fencing. Horse fencing should be highly visible to the horse. Visible fences will prevent playful horses from accidentally running into them. A fence should be secure enough to contain a horse that runs into it without causing injury or fence damage. The fence should be at
least wither high to discourage jumping and to ensure that horses will not fl ip over the fence. At the bottom, an 8-inch clearance will leave enough room to avoid trapping a hoof, yet will discourage a horse from reaching under the fence for grass and will prevent a foal from rolling under the fence. The type of fencing you purchase is a very individual decision. You need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fencing and select the best for you and your situation. Here are a few types of fencing
and their major attributes and draw backs.

How many times have you needed to know your horse’s vaccination record, or wanted to make a routine appointment for your horse, only to remember to do so when our office was closed? Through the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic’s web-based Pet Portals, you will be able to get your questions answered, make an appointment, or order a prescription refi ll. Your Pet Portal is open 24/7!

It’s easy to register for a Pet Portal for your dogs, cats, and horses that are patients of the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic. Just let us know your email address. When
your email is entered into our practice management software, you can expect to
receive an email within 24 hours with your password and instructions for using the
pet portal. Once you are set up, you are ready to request a non-urgent veterinary
appointment, or make a reservation for grooming or boarding your pet.

Have you ever forgotten a scheduled appointment? By going to your pet portal, you can view recent and upcoming
scheduled appointments. You can also set email alert reminders to give medication
such as Heartgard. In addition to your
customized pet portal, you may browse care guides for information about your pet’s health, vaccinations, weight
management, and behavior.

We at the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic value you, your animals, and your business. We’d like to hear from you how we’re doing and what we can do to better serve your needs.

Please take our surveys - we have separate surveys for the large animal and small animal divisions. Feel free to leave your comments. Click on the links to the right.

If you prefer, you may pick up a comment card from our office or request a card from one of our veterinarians.

Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in us and for your feedback. We will listen to your comments and value your input.