Service Vétérinaire Équin de l'Ouest

04/03/2026

The more you know...

Gastric ulcer disease is a very common problem in our equine companions, and it affects over 60% of adult horses (depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations). While Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is more prevalent in high performance horses, it’s important to remember that any horse can be affected, as all equines suffer from stress (like traveling, stall confinement, changes in diet, etc.) which over time may result in gastric ulcers.

The signs of ulcers a horse might show are highly variable between individuals, but they usually include variations of “bad behavior” like general grumpiness, reluctance to perform, cribbing and teeth-grinding, tail-swishing and other behaviors suggesting restlessness and physical discomfort. Rough hair coat, weight loss and poor body condition are also common.

Has your horse ever expressed any of these signs that led to an ulcer diagnosis? Let us know below ⬇️

If your horse is exhibiting any of these signs, it may be time to consult your veterinarian rather than just chalk them off as behavioral or training issues. Proper diagnosis is crucial to get appropriate treatment started promptly, and your horse doctor will also be able to make recommendations for environmental and management changes that can you help prevent a relapse of ulcers in the future.

03/17/2026

Ce weekend, nous sommes aller visiter le site de A Horse Tale pour leur cabane à sucre et leur collecte de fond! Un refuge près de chez nous qui a le bien-être des chevaux à coeur ♥️

This weekend, we visited A Horse tale for their sugar shack and fundraiser. A sanctuary near us that truly cares about the well-being of horses 🐴

01/17/2026

01/05/2026

Dre Arcand sera en vacances du 6 janvier au 15 janvier 2026 inclusivement. Pour toute prise de rendez-vous ou tout autre demande, veuillez envoyer un courriel au [email protected] ou un message Messenger. Pour toute urgence, veuillez contacter l'un(e) de ses collègues.
Nous vous souhaitons une merveilleuse année 2026! 🌞

Dre Arcand will be on vacation from Jan 6th till Jan 15th 2026 inclusively. For any appointment or inquiries, please send an email to [email protected] or a messenger. For any emergencies, please contact one of her colleagues.
We wish you a wonderful year 2026! 🌞

Send a message to learn more

12/24/2025

Joyeuses Fêtes à tous!
Voici les vétérinaires qui seront de garde pendant les jours fériés:
-24 décembre 2025: Dre Marylène Belisle
-25 décembre 2025: Dre Camille Arcand
-26 décembre 2025: Dre Warren Waybright

Fin de semaine 27-28 décembre 2025: Dre Audrey Langlois

-31 décembre 2025: Dre Marine Menu
-1er janvier 2026: Dre Audrey Langlois
-2 janvier 2026: Dr Warren Waybright

Fin de semaine 3-4 janvier 2026: Dre Camille Arcand

12/20/2025

Even though the topic of after-hours and emergency care is important year-round, we wanted to offer this reminder as we approach the holidays.

Though we wish our horse doctors could be there for our equine friends in any emergency, the reality is that our horses' primary veterinarian cannot be available 24/7 and still juggle the needs of their own personal lives, health and happiness.

The most significant pain point for many veterinarians is caring for their clients during regular business hours and then also being on call for emergencies after hours. For single-doctor or small practices, this traditionally has been the case most nights of the week.

However, private veterinary practices and veterinary schools have more recently focused on developing new models for emergency care which ease the strain on individual practitioners. This includes the growth of emergency cooperatives where two or more practices in a geographic area work together to share after-hours care, as well as more emergency-only practices and the use of tele-triage services to address client concerns after normal business hours.

As equine veterinarians reevaluate what after-hours care looks like for their practices, the support of their clients is critical to creating a balance that works for both parties. If your horse doctor talks with you about changes in how after-hours care is delivered, we hope you’ll welcome the adjustments. This evolution of emergency care must take place in order for equine veterinarians to avoid burnout and continue to be at their best to treat all of your equine friends.

12/17/2025

Les vacances de Noël approchent à grand pas! De beaux moments avec vos poilus vous attendent sous la neige! ❄️☃️
En vue de la fermeture des services pendant les vacances de Noël (outre les urgences), nous souhaitons vous rappeler de renouveler vos prescriptions de médicaments avant les vacances! Simplement envoyer un texto, messenger ou un email avec le nom de votre cheval et le renouvellement demandé! Les prescriptions seront traitées dans la semaine à venir.

Christmas Holidays are just around the corner! Wonderful moments with your furry friends await you in the snow! ❄️☃️
In light of the closure of services during the Christmas holidays (except for emergencies), we would like to remind you to renew your medication prescriptions before the holidays! Simply send a text message, Messenger message, or email with your horse's name and the renewal request! Prescriptions will be processed within the coming week.

Send a message to learn more

07/11/2025

Vous trouvez que voter cheval a des baisses de performance? Il mange moins bien qu’à l’habitude, surtout son grain? Il a des signes de douleur au sanglage? Ceux-ci sont des signes qui peuvent laisser présager des ulcères gastriques.
L’unique moyen de les diagnostiquer est à l’aide d’une gastroscopie, où l’on passe une caméra jusque dans l’estomac pour visualiser la muqueuse gastrique. Le Service Vétérinaire Équin de l’Ouest est fier de vous présenter l’acquisition d’un nouvel appareil à gastroscopie, avec des qualités d’images jamais vues!
Plusieurs traitements s’avèrent possibles dépendamment de la sévérité et de la localisation des ulcères. Jusqu’au 31 juillet, il y a également une promotion aux traitements. Si votre cheval a des ulcères et est traité au GASTROGARD pendant 28jours, vous recevez trois seringues de gastrogard gratuitement ainsi qu’un supplément PRONUTRIN.
Si cela vous intéresse, contactez-nous par Messenger ou par texto au 514-291-7965 pour prendre rv dans la semaine du 21 juillet 2025!

Do you find your horse’s performance are declining? He is picky on eating, especially grain? Is he showing signs of pain at girthing? These are all signs that may indicate gastric ulcers.
The only way to diagnose them is by a gastroscopy, where a camera is passed into the stomach to visualize the gastric walls. Service Vétérinaire Équin de l’Ouest is proud to announce the acquisition of a new gastroscopy device, with high quality images!
Many treatments are available depending on the severity and localisation of the ulcers. Until July 31st, there is a promotion on treatment. If your horse has gastric ulcers and is treated by GASTROGARD for 28 days, you will receive 3 free syringes of Gastrogard as well as a PRONUTRIN supplement.
If you are interested, contact us via Messenger or by text at 514-291-7965 to make an appointment during the week of July 21st.

06/25/2025

Today is ! Join us in celebrating all the veterinary professionals that help our animals (especially our horses) live long, happy and healthy lives.

If you are looking for ways to say “thank you” to your veterinary team, there are plenty of options. However, it’s very possible that the best way to thank your horse doctors and equine vet techs is to make their job easier.

Some small things can make the biggest difference; check out this graphic for a few simple ways you can ease the strain on your veterinarians and show them your appreciation. No matter how you choose to say thank you today, there is no doubt you will brighten your vet team’s day!

Lastly, show some love for your veterinarian in the comments below and tag them, some words of encouragement and appreciation are sure to bring a smile to their face! ⬇️

03/20/2025

La saison de reproduction et de poulinage est à nos portes!
Pour les clients qui sont intéressés par la reproduction ou attendent des poulains cette année, plusieurs publications seront faites dans les prochains jours.

La première porte sur les étapes cruciales du poulinage. Divisé en trois stades:
1. Le premier est le début du travail. Pouvant durer 1-2h, la jument est inconfortable et démontre des signes pouvant s'associer à des signes de colique (regarde les flancs, se couche et se lève à répétition, se kick le ventre).
2. Le deuxième stade commence avec la rupture de l'allantoïde, ou plus communément «perte des eaux». Le poulain commence à être expulsé. La sortie du poulain doit progresser, car ce stade ne peut pas prendre plus de 30minutes. Si la progression est inefficace, appelez votre vétérinaire!
3. Le stade 3 est l'expulsion du placenta. Celui-ci peut prendre jusqu'à 3h à être expulsé... Si cela prend plus de temps, appelez voter vétérinaire!

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines, and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

02/06/2025

Dr Arcand sera en vacances jusqu’au 17 février. Pour toute prise de rendez-vous ou autre demande, envoyez un courriel ou un message facebook. Pour toute urgence, veuillez contacter l’un(e) de ses collègues. ☀️

Dr Arcand will be on vacation until Feb 17th. For any appointment or inquiries, please send and email or a messenger. For any emergency, please contact one of her colleagues. ☀️