Equine Medicine & Surgery

01/22/2026

BRRRRRRRR🥶 Here comes the cold!!

Our coldest weather of the year is quickly approaching and the best way to deal with an emergency is to prevent one!

Things to consider!

FOOD
• You may be cold, but your pets are still hungry! Making sure your horse’s feeding schedule isn’t altered helps maintain energy levels and body heat. You may even add a little more hay or alfalfa each feeding to give them the extra boost.
• For cattle - GOOD HAY IS CRITICAL. Cattle heat from the inside out by feeding their rumen. More hay in the rumen = More fermentation = More heat. Cattle should have dry hay available at all times during these cold weather events. (This is the same for sheep and goats)

WATER
• Temperatures are expected to be below freezing for an extended period of time which could lead to busted pipes and frozen water troughs. Check water sources regularly and bust ice if needed.
• Horses hate cold water! Impaction colics increase in extreme temperatures due to horses being too stubborn to drink. A study done by AAEP showed that horses will drink almost 40% more water when air temperatures are below freezing, but water temps are maintained between 45-65 degrees!😱

SHELTER
• Wet coats cause rapid heat loss!
•Adequate cover with a northern wind break is critical especially when moisture can be expected with these extreme cold temperatures.
• Make sure blankets are in good shape and the water proof outer layer is in tact!
• Heat sources are a bonus but beware of placing them too close to hay, bedding, or other flammable items.

Remembering these three essential categories should help reduce risks of cold weather emergencies. But remember, if any do arise, we’ll be here to help!

(409) 794-1339

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from our office family to yours!

Our holiday hours are as follows:

Christmas Eve - Closed
Christmas Day - Closed
December 26 - 7:30-12
December 27 - Closed

New Year’s Eve - 7:30-12
New Year’s Day - Closed
Jan 2 - Resume Normal Hours

We will be available for any large animal emergencies during the holidays.

We hope you and your pets have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

11/20/2025

The Equine Disease Communication Center is monitoring an outbreak of EHM that originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9. To date, officially confirmed cases have been reported in the following states-

11/19/2025

🚨Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) Outbreak Notice 🚨

Our clinic has been notified of confirmed cases of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in our region. This statewide outbreak has been traced to a rodeo in Waco. We want to keep all horse owners informed, prepared, and supported during this time.

What is EHV-1?

EHV-1 is a contagious viral disease that can cause:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Nasal discharge
- Hind-limb weakness or incoordination
- Difficulty urinating
- Abortions in pregnant mares
- In severe cases, neurologic signs (EHM: Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy)

EHV-1 spreads through direct horse-to-horse contact, contaminated equipment, clothing, trailers, and aerosolized droplets.

What Horse Owners Should Do NOW

1️⃣ Monitor your horses closely
Check temperature twice daily.
A temperature >101.5°F is often the earliest sign of infection.

2️⃣ Limit movement
- Do NOT haul your horses unless medically necessary.
- Avoid shows, rodeos, trail rides, training barns, sales yards, or boarding facility traffic.

3️⃣ Practice strict biosecurity
- Do not share buckets, tack, grooming tools, or trailers.
- Wash hands and change clothes after handling other horses.
- Keep new or returning horses isolated for 21 days.

4️⃣ Contact us immediately if you see signs
Early intervention improves outcomes. Call at the first sign of:
• Fever
• Neurologic changes
• Nasal discharge
• Decreased appetite
• Hind-limb weakness

What Our Clinic is Doing
- Increasing disease surveillance
- Implementing enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols
- Offering teleconsults for triage when appropriate
- Regulating in-clinic equine traffic to prevent spread
- Providing guidance for barns needing quarantine protocols

We are fully operational, but certain services may be adjusted temporarily in the interest of biosecurity.

Is There a Vaccine?

Yes — EHV-1 vaccines help reduce respiratory and abortion forms, but do NOT prevent the neurologic form.
Vaccination is still strongly recommended, especially for:
- Horses in barns with frequent traffic
- Traveling performance horses
- Pregnant mares

If your horse is due, contact us to schedule.

Stay Informed — Not Alarmed

EHV-1 outbreaks are serious, but with prompt action and good biosecurity, we can significantly reduce spread and protect the horses in our community.

If you have questions, concerns, or need help establishing a quarantine protocol at your barn, please reach out.
📞 (409) 794-1339

10/17/2025

As we wrap up National Vet Tech Appreciation Week, let’s spotlight some of our INCREDIBLE team members! These ladies are hard working, compassionate, and just plain good at what they do! Scroll through the pictures to read a little bit about them!

09/02/2025

Tomorrow we will be launching a new software program in office so please be patient with us during this transition. We will also have a new app that will be replacing vet2pet, it will have all of the same features plus ! Thank you for your patience during this time.

Here is the link to our new app.
https://apps.apple.com/app/id934948619
Or you can log into
Greatpetcare.com

It’s natural for cats to shed fur. We all want a cat who doesn’t leave fur around the house, but their fur grows and then it sheds. Some cats, however, will lose so much fur that it starts to look thin and you can see their skin more clearly. Normal shedding of fur would not […]

08/25/2025

🚨 West Nile Virus Alert 🚨

We have recently confirmed a horse in Southeast Texas tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Unfortunately due to the horse’s rapid deterioration, it succumbed to the illness .

West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes and can affect both horses and humans. Horses are especially vulnerable if they are not up to date on vaccinations.

What you can do to protect your horses:
✅ Keep vaccinations current! — annual boosters are recommended.
✅ Reduce mosquito exposure (remove standing water, use fly sheets, sprays, and fans).
✅ Monitor your horses closely for signs such as fever, weakness, stumbling, ataxia, or muscle tremors.

If your horse shows any concerning symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Together we can help protect our horses and community from this preventable disease. 🐴💉🦟

(409) 794-1339

07/31/2025

‘Tis the season for allergies!

Is your horse having trouble breathing? This is a common sign of Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) aka COPD/Asthma. Our abundant grasses, moisture, and heat make SETX the perfect Petri dish for allergy flareups that lead to labored breathing and even decreased sweat production (anhydrosis).

This gal here is receiving an albuterol treatment via nebulization to help her breathe a little easier.

Whether it’s your pasture pet or athlete experiencing these symptoms, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help them through the season!

(409) 794-1339

07/18/2025

Your favorite large animal veterinary hospital is now on facebook!

At Equine Medicine and Surgery , we understand that your horse is more than just an animal they’re your partner, your athlete, your friend. Whether it’s a routine check-up, emergency care, or performance consultation, our experienced equine team is here to keep your horse healthy, happy, and thriving.

•Preventative Care
•Dental Services
•Lameness Exams
•Digital Imaging
•Endoscopy
•Emergency & Medical Treatment
•Equine Surgery
•Farm or house calls

We also service all of your cattle needs!

📞 Call us today to schedule an appointment or ask questions we’re always here for your herd.
409-794-1339

Serving southeast Texas with compassion and expertise.