West Wind Veterinary Hospital

11/26/2025

11/20/2025

Equine Herpes Virus Neurologic (EHM)

What should I do?

Recent reports of EHM remind us of the importance of vigilant observation, vaccination, biosecurity and quarantine as we care for our horses.
All horses can be affected and transmit the virus. Horses can carry this virus without any clinical signs (carriers).

We are committed to helping you determine the best course of action for your farm and horses. We are available at 780 662 0112.

1. Early warning signs: cough, discharge from nose/eyes, red eyes, poor appetite, fever, weakness or incoordination, difficulty urinating or defecating.
https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EHV_FAQ_for_Owners_Final.pdf
2. Horses that are exposed or have been near sick horses: take their temperatures twice a day. Call the veterinarian if their temperature is more than 38.6°C.
3. Consult with a veterinarian for evaluation and testing of all exposed or ill horses.
4. Biosecurity, including quarantine, is essential. Review farm biosecurity and quarantine policies and procedures with your veterinarian, ideally before any horses ever get sick. (Wear gloves, clean well, use an approved disinfectant on facilities and equipment and prevent cross contamination between horses and barns).
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity/isolation
5. Vaccination - keeping the entire herd’s vaccines up to date helps reduce viral shedding and shorten the time the virus can be spread, thereby reducing risk to the whole population.
Vaccines cannot prevent EHM.

08/18/2025

🐾 Itchy Pet Awareness Month 🐾
Did you know that itching is one of the most common reasons pets visit the vet?
While an occasional scratch is normal, constant licking, chewing, or rubbing could mean:
• Seasonal or food allergies 🌸
• Fleas or mites 🐜
• Skin infections or hot spots 🩹

Why it matters:
Persistent itching can cause skin damage, pain, and even lead to infections. The good news? With the right diagnosis, we can help your pet feel comfortable again — and prevent future flare-ups.

📅 Schedule an appointment today: 780-662-0112
Let’s make this the month your pet feels their best! ❤️

08/01/2025

**NOTICE ** Our texting service was down for the past 24-48 hours. It is now back up and running. Please reach out again if you contacted us and did not receive a response. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience."

07/30/2025

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

07/21/2025

🎉 You're Invited to Our AAHA Day Celebration! 🎉
📅 Monday, July 22
📍 West Wind Veterinary Hospital

Come help us celebrate our commitment to excellence in animal care with a fun-filled day for pets and their people!

🍩 Pastries served all day
🌭 Hotdog BBQ from 11 AM – 2 PM
🐾 Free nail trims
🐴 Equine Solarium Tours & Demos
🎁 Door Prizes & Giveaways

Whether you're stopping by for a treat, a trim, or just to say hi—we'd love to see you there! Bring your furry friends and join the celebration! 🐶🐱🐴

07/17/2025

Save the Date
🎉 You're Invited to Our AAHA Day Celebration! 🎉
📅 Monday, July 22
📍 West Wind Veterinary Hospital

Come help us celebrate our commitment to excellence in animal care with a fun-filled day for pets and their people!

🍩 Pastries served all day
🌭 Hotdog BBQ from 11 AM – 2 PM
🐾 Free nail trims
🐴 Equine Solarium Tours & Demos
🎁 Door Prizes & Giveaways

Whether you're stopping by for a treat, a trim, or just to say hi—we'd love to see you there! Bring your furry friends and join the celebration! 🐶🐱🐴