Cotts Equine Hospital

02/05/2025

Continuing with the current UK tour for some of our Vets, James spent five days last week at Chard Equestrian as an FEI Treating Vet at the Chard CSI 2* International.

The sun shone as some truly outstanding show jumping took place. A huge congratulations to everyone who competed - amazing!

02/05/2025

Sharing on behalf of a client.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

01/05/2025

The senior years of a horse are, just like humans, a time when the correct care comes into its own in order to maintain a comfortable, happy, healthy life.

And this is the topic for the first in a series of articles from our very own James. Here, he offers some information and advice on the key things to ensure your horse is living to the fullest in its mature years.

(P.S. We would love to see your veterans, so please post your photos below!)

Do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/caring-for-older-horses-veterinary-considerations-for-a-healthy-senior-life

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, nutrition, and overall horse care, many horses are living well into their twenties and even thirties. However, just like people, ageing horses have specific health needs that require careful management. Our team are committed to helping you keep your senior...

01/05/2025

A glorious, busy day for John, Kelly and Holly today at the David Broome Event Centre ahead of the Chepstow Spring International tomorrow. Around 480 horses arriving to fantastic conditions at Trot Up day for inspection. 🐎

Wishing all the competitors the very best of luck.

26/04/2025

It’s World Veterinary Day today, the last Saturday of April, which celebrates the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals, people, and the environment.

This year’s theme is Teamwork, acknowledging the importance of the collective efforts of everyone in providing the best veterinary care possible.

From the receptionists, to the nurses, grooms, technicians and veterinary surgeons, we are hugely proud of our team and the fantastic job they do. They go above and beyond in every way.

So here’s to them today, and a big thank you to each and every one of fabulous clients.

25/04/2025

25/04/2025

The following three posts are being shared with the kind permission of the owner, but they provide an insight into the sort of cases our Vets see on a daily basis and the procedures they work through.

We are sure you will all agree that Kalama is absolutely beautiful too.

Kalama had Colic today. 😢

It started with some very small unusual behaviours, not quite herself, a little unsettled but nothing obvious.
We monitored her and saw no change, just not quite herself.

Then, she kicked up at her belly.
Emergency vet called straight away.
While waiting for the vet, we walked Kalama in hand and went over and over her routine trying to think of a change or some reason that would cause the colic.
No change in diet.
Up to date with worming.
Could it be the weather?

Our Vet arrived. After a quick examination, spasmodic colic was confirmed and treatment given.

We spoke in length with the vet about possible causes and we were reassured, sometimes it does just happen.

Then, we realised, last month, we slightly increased Kalamas work and she lost weight??
All though Kalama's work only increased by the slightest amount and not once did she brake a sweat or show signs of fatigue, she lost weight, only a small amount, but still, she lost weight.....

Ulcers!!

Kalama has been here just over a year now and there have been no signs or symptoms of ulcers what so ever, but that unexplained weight loss and now this very mild colic is worth exploring.

So, a scope will be booked and We will up date when we know more.

Huge thank you to our vets.

12/04/2025

Equine lice is a more common problem than you think. Especially during winter and in the early spring. But don’t worry, it can be managed!

To help with this, Eliza has put together this reference guide to Equine Lice for you. As ever, if you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/equine-lice-not-so-lice-to-see-you

06/04/2025

It might be a lovely, sunny, lazy Sunday for a lot of us, but up and raring to go on the start line of this year’s London Half Marathon this morning is our very own Evie.

Together with Jo and Annie, they are running this morning to raise funds for MIND; an amazing charity that provides vital support for mental health.

If you would like to donate to this fundraiser, the link is below. Any donation, no matter how small, makes a huge difference and it’ll be sure to spur the girls on as they hoof (*terrible horse pun inserted obviously) round the course!

Best of luck Ladies! We’re sure you’ll smash it!
🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

https://www.justgiving.com/page/cotts-equine-hospital-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

04/04/2025

🚨 *Long post alert and no apologies!* 🚨

Oh Chiara! What can we say??? Today marks the final day of Chiara's surgical residency after three years with us. 😢

As ever with these things, there was a last minute emergency and this one proved the most difficult one to date. 3.45pm on her last day. She was delighted obviously 😉, but ever the professional, she got to it. You can see from the results that she worked her usual magic..as so many of you will have experienced during her time with us.

Chiara is a much loved member of the Cotts family and it seems pertinent at this point to let her Supervisor, Richard Coomer take over.

"Chiara joined us on April 4th 2022, ready and raring to go for 3 years of specialist training in equine surgery at Cotts. Before Cotts she'd spent time at the University of Edinburgh where she had completed an internship after her vet training and PhD in Perugia, Italy.

Like Janine, and Peter before her, she followed a residency training programme in large animal surgery set by the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS). Much of this was on the job training with myself and Shaun, but she also spent time away in other specialist institutions, attended set training courses in various parts of the world, and carried out and published scientific research.

All that to be ready to sit a 3-day examination in surgery next year, after which she'll be a Specialist. Many of you will have met her over her time here. She quickly became one of the Cotts family and though we'll miss her, we are delighted to report that she will be continuing to work with us part time. Thanks for all the hard work Chiara, it's been emotional! We're all looking forward to the next chapter starting together."

All the very, very best Chiara. We will all miss you!

01/04/2025

Emergencies can take many unexpected turns and this one was no different. Sunday night saw James multi-tasking horses with an unbelievably cute newborn lamb.

Such was the success that he is now available for call-out feeding between the hours of 5.30pm and 7am week nights only.

Please call 01834 860871 if you are interested in this new support pilot scheme that aims to lighten the load of new parents.