Middleton Veterinary Services

05/13/2025

Some good tips!

05/12/2025

04/15/2025

On Friday, April 18th, our office will be closed, for Good Friday. Have a Happy and Safe Easter.

We will be offering emergency services only. Please call the office 902-825-3459 select option #2 for the on call veterinarian.
We will reopen on Monday, April 21st at 8:00 am.

04/03/2025

DO YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES GRASS FOUNDER?

Spring is a wonderful time of the year, but it may be the beginning of some serious problems for horses vulnerable to grass founder — like horses that are over the age of 10, easy keepers, overweight or cresty-necked.

Laminitis or founder, as it is commonly called, is inflammation of the laminae of the horse’s foot. Laminae are the delicate, accordion-like tissues that attach the inner surface of the hoof wall to the coffin bone (the bone in the foot). A horse suffering from laminitis experiences a decrease in blood flow to the laminae, which in turn begin to die and separate. The final result is hoof wall separation, rotation of the coffin bone and extreme pain. In severe cases, the coffin bone will actually rotate through the sole of the horse’s hoof where it becomes infected and can ultimately lead to the horse having to be euthanized.

Laminitis can be triggered by different causes, like repeated concussion on hard ground (road founder), grain overload, retained placenta, hormonal imbalance (Cushing’s syndrome), obesity, and lush grass.

In cases of grass founder, the sugar fructans produced by rapidly growing grass stimulates an overgrowth of bacteria in the horse’s large intestine. The bacteria produce and release toxins (endotoxins) that are carried by the bloodstream to the foot where they cause damage to the laminae and small blood vessels.

The best way to deal with laminitis is preventing and managing the causes under your control. Consult your equine practitioner for further information and to formulate a plan tailored to your horse's individual situation. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.

03/11/2025

As spring approaches, and unfortunately so does "mud season", sooner or later nearly all horse owners will deal with a hoof abscess. But what does "hoof abscess" actually mean? This diagram shows a simplified view of the equine hoof to help you visualize the structures involved in this process.

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round and usually occur when debris and bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks and wounds, even horseshoeing holes. The bacteria then get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole and create pus; the pus builds up over the course of time and puts pressure behind the hoof wall or sole, until it causes the sudden onset of acute lameness when the pain finally becomes too great.

Hoof abscesses can mimic other more serious diseases or injuries, so involving your veterinarian early on in the diagnosis and prompt treatment of this condition is always a good idea. Some abscesses will be uncomplicated and rupture on their own like a large pimple at the coronary band or heel bulbs; other abscesses, however, could require radiographs and will need to be surgically drained.

As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

03/04/2025

We will be closed today, due to continued staff shortage. You may text the in clinic number for non-urgent needs. For emergencies please call 902-825-3459
Sorry for the inconvenience

03/03/2025

Due to staff shortage, we will be operating on urgent need only today. Please call the regular number if you have an urgent need or prescription pick up. Sorry for any inconvenience.

02/19/2025

Foaling 101: Essential Preparation and Neonatal Care for Horse Owners

AAEP Presents: Navigating the Equine Breeding Season (Mares) This is the on-demand recording of the American Association of Equine Practitioners webinar with Dale Kelley, DVM, MS, PhD, DACT. The webinar was recorded October 30, 2024. This is the third in a series of AAEP webinars from the Horse Owne...

02/18/2025

We will be delaying opening this morning, Tuesday Feb 18.
If you have an emergency, please call our regular number 902-825-3459

02/17/2025

On Monday, February 17th, our office will be closed, for Heritage Day. Nora Bernard is being honored this year.
We will be offering emergency services only. Please call the office 902-825-3459 select option #2 for the one call veterinarian.
We will reopen on Tuesday, February 18th at 8:00 am.

01/22/2025

It’s not uncommon to find horses and ponies living well into their 20s and 30s, thanks to continuous advances in nutrition and health care.

Horse owners have a big impact as well and can help their horses thrive in their golden years through proper management practices like those illustrated in the graphic. But remember, although there is much you can do on your own to keep your older horse happy and spry, some conditions associated with aging require medical intervention.

Scheduling regular visits and keeping a good line of communication with your veterinarian will allow you to respond quickly to any ailments or injuries that could cause your horse a serious or prolonged set back. That means less worry for you, and a better quality of life for your old friend!

12/28/2024

Hours For New Years...
December 30th 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
December 31st 8:00 am to 3:00 pm - closing early
January 1st we will be closed
January 2nd 8am to 5:00 pm
January 3rd 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Emergency services will still be available over the holidays, by calling the office 1-902-825-3459, then option #2.
Have a safe and Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you all in 2025!