Stowe Equine and Large Animal Vets

25/06/2025

Flystrike is caused when blowfly eggs, laid on your animal hatch, and maggots start to eat the flesh.

Flystrike can have severe outcomes if not managed appropriately. The following recommendations should help to keep your flock at lower risk this summer.

Risk Factors:
- The most commonly affected farm animals are sheep more so these with a significant parasite burden, diarrhoea or wounds
- Dirty Wool
- Warm, humid conditions

Signs:
- Fidgeting/itching, you may notice your sheep rubbing their coat out
- Blood staining/darkening of the fleece next to affected areas
- Sores, especially under the tail or shoulders/forearms with maggot activity. These sores may have a putrid smell

Prevention:
- Many farmers choose to tail dock to reduce faecal build up
- Regular health checks, ensuring you check the most common sites of infestation
- Good parasite control
- Good hygiene
- Keep sick/scouring animals inside away from flies.
- Shear fleeces in warm weather
- Shear + clean affected areas if not done so already

Treatment:
- Isolate affected animals
- Examine sick animals daily removing maggots and applying appropriate topical treatment
- Speak to your vet about the use of certain drugs active against ectoparasite + flies

👉 If you need advice or support, please feel free to call us on 01449 776200.

23/06/2025

🐴Manage Your Horse’s Health with Our Equine Health Plans

Our Equine Health Plans are designed to make it easier for you to manage the costs of keeping your horses, ponies, and donkeys happy and healthy.

These comprehensive plans cover essential care, including:
• Annual health checks
• Vaccinations
• Dental care
• Parasite prevention

Additionally, our plans can be customised to meet your horse’s specific needs and come with discounts on certain lifetime medications.

To learn more or set up a plan, call us today at 01449 776200 — our friendly team is here to assist you!

20/06/2025

The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway was launched in 2023, in a bid to increase welfare conditions of farm livestock and poultry. It lasts for 3 years meaning there is one year left to apply for this round of funding.

As a larger part of farming reforms, there are several funding options available including:
• Welfare review funding an annual veterinary visit and diagnostic testing aimed at improving welfare
• Capital grants ranging from equipment and technology to funding for new housing
o A smaller grant known as the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) opened on 29th May for 6 weeks
o This can be used for equipment such as crushes and weighing scales
• Disease eradication and control programmes, focusing primarily on BVD in cattle, PRRS in pigs and lameness in sheep
o It is important to note that from 2027 BVD testing will become mandatory, at which point there is no further planned funding
• Supporting stockmanship, by rewarding farmers who meet higher welfare/ health outcomes with their practices

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway or call us on 01449 776 200 to speak to one of our vets who may be able to assist you.

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18/06/2025

🐴 Sweet Itch Awareness🐴

A frustrating condition for horses caused by an allergic reaction to bites from midges, leading to intense itching and discomfort. With the right care, you can help your equine friend stay comfortable and happy!

👉 If you need advice or support or would like to talk about the insol vaccine, please feel free to call us on 01449 776200.

16/06/2025

🐴✨ Visit our Country Store, tucked just behind Stowe Veterinary Centre!

We’ve got everything to keep your horses and large animals happy and healthy — from premium feed and supplements (featuring top brands like Spillers, Dodson & Horrell, Allen & Page, Baileys, and Hestevard) to grooming gear, tack, cosy bedding, and stylish clothing.

Registered clients can also collect prescriptions and vaccines in-store!

We love seeing both new and familiar faces, so come say hello or give us a call on 01449 776200 if you have any questions! 💚

12/06/2025

🌱 Grass Sickness Reminder🌱

Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) is a devastating condition affecting equids, often with fatal consequences.

Here’s what every horse owner should know:

🐴What is EGS?
- ESG is a disease that damages the nervous system, particularly the part controlling involuntary function, causing signs most related to paralysis of gastrointestinal track.

🐴Who is at risk?
- Young horses aged 2–7 years appear to be the most vulnerable group.
- Commonly seen in spring and summer.
- Horses grazing on certain pastures are at higher risk.

🐴Signs to Watch For:
-Acute: Colic, difficulty swallowing, muscle tremors, hyper-salivation.
- Chronic: Weight loss, depression, recumbency.

🐴Causes:
The exact cause is unclear, and thought to be linked to a toxin.

🐴Risk factors include:
- Grazing on pastures with a history of EGS.
- Stress or recent changes in diet/routine.
- Specific weather patterns, such as dry weather, for at least 10 days, with temperatures of 7-11 degrees.

🐴Prevention Tips:
- Rotate grazing areas: stable new horses if you have had cases of ESG on your land before.
- Provide supplementary feed to reduce pasture dependence.

🐴What to Do If You Suspect EGS:
- Contact your vet immediately for diagnosis and advice. Almost all acute cases, unfortunately result in death or the need for euthanasia.
- Early intervention can improve outcomes, especially for chronic cases which may respond to intensive care.

📞 If you need advice or notice symptoms, call us on 01449 776200.

09/06/2025

We offer tailored health plans for your large animals, no matter how small or large your herd.

Starting with a basic package that includes two six-monthly visits, completion of a VAN and considerable phone consult allowance, these can be customised to include a number of routine procedures such as vaccinations, anti-parasite programs, blood sampling and hoof trimming for a manageable monthly fee.

These packages also mean one of our dedicated large animal vets will be available 24/7, 365 days a year, should you require their assistance in an emergency.

If you are interested in signing up to one of these programmes, or would like to discuss them further with a member of our team, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01449 776200 or [email protected]

05/06/2025

☀️ Did you know horses can get sunburn too?

Horses with pink skin or white markings are especially at risk in the summer sun. Look out for redness, peeling, or scabbing—especially around the nose and eyes.

✅ Protect them with fly masks, UV sheets, and equine-safe suncream.

🕶️ Turnout during cooler hours and always provide shaded areas.

If you think your horse has sunburn, please call us on 01449 776200 where we would be happy to give you some advice!

29/05/2025

🚚🐴 Delivery Service Made Easy! 🐾

We’re here to make caring for your animals convenient with our free local delivery service for pre-registered clients (minimum spend £30).

📍 Delivery Options:
• FREE local delivery within a 10-mile radius or 20 minutes from our location.
• Feed and bedding delivery to all IP postcodes for a small charge.
🌾 What We Offer:
Our Country Store stocks a wide range of essentials, including:
• Feed, minerals, and supplements.
• Practical items like animal ID products, outdoor clothing, electric fencing, and general farming equipment.
• Veterinary medicines delivered or collected from our other centres.

For more information or to arrange a delivery, give us a call at 📞 01449 776200 or email [email protected].

28/05/2025

We're all set up at the Suffolk Show!

Visit us on Stand 719 to have a go at our guessing game and learn more about our equine and farm services. 🐴

Plus, don't forget to say hello to Albert, the Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog! 😍

22/05/2025

🐄We offer tailored health plans for your large animals, no matter how small or large your herd.

Starting with a basic package that includes two six-monthly visits, completion of a VAN and considerable phone consult allowance, these can be customised to include a number of routine procedures such as vaccinations, anti-parasite programs, blood sampling and hoof trimming for a manageable monthly fee.
These packages also mean one of our dedicated large animal vets will be available 24/7, 365 days a year, should you require their assistance in an emergency.

If you are interested in signing up to one of these programmes, or would like to discuss them further with a member of our team, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01449 776200 or [email protected]

16/05/2025

🐴Manage Your Horse’s Health with Our Equine Health Plans🐴

Our Equine Health Plans are designed to make it easier for you to manage the costs of keeping your horses, ponies, and donkeys happy and healthy.

These comprehensive plans cover essential care, including:
• Annual health checks
• Vaccinations
• Dental care
• Parasite prevention

Additionally, our plans can be customised to meet your horse’s specific needs and come with discounts on certain lifetime medications.

To learn more or set up a plan, call us today at 01449 776200 or email [email protected] — our friendly team is here to assist you!