Haymarket Veterinary Service

08/19/2025

Welcoming new horses and owners into the practice!

Dr. Cilinski and Dr. Beatty met Buddy as a new addition to the HVS family for a performance evaluation and tune-up. A chiropractic adjustment and joint injections had Buddy feeling like new!

We provide the full-spectrum of performance and lameness care right on the farm for all levels of athlete! The plan is always tailored to the patient with the ability to use orthobiologic products like PRP and Prostride and adjunctive care like chiropractic and acupuncture.

We are always happy to add new horses and clients to the Haymarket family! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the office or visit our website to learn more about what we have to offer.

Phone: 703-754-3309
Website: https://haymarketvet.com/
Email: [email protected]

08/13/2025

Reminder! ‼️

Fall is quickly approaching, and that means so are fall vaccine boosters! Keep in mind that if your equine friend gets vaccinated early in the spring that we need to be seeing them this month for 6 month vaccines for several common diseases.

We are still in high bug season, and this is a time when there can be lapses in coverage for vector-borne diseases like West Nile Virus and Potomac Horse Fever 🦟

Our office can update you on any upcoming vaccine reminders with a quick call!

703-754-3309 📞

08/05/2025

It’s Summer sore season! We are seeing a huge uptick in summer sores in the last few weeks so let’s chat about them.

Summer sores are parasitic skin infections caused by the larvae of the Habronema fly. Any break in the skin that gets exposed to flies are at risk of developing these sores. They can also develop at lip edges, along eyelids/conjunctiva, or on genitalia. We are seeing them develop from even simple bell boot rubs.

The wound may appear with yellow granules or textured/proliferative granulation tissue.

Tips for prevention!
-Keep a close eye on any wounds or rubs not healing or growing in size.
-Use regular fly prevention, including fly sprays/masks/sheets.
-Early intervention by keeping wounds covered where able or stalling in front of fans.

Top tip!
If you suspect or have concerns for anything like the pictures below, please contact us!

07/16/2025

What is one very common question our veterinarians, technicians, or front desk staff will ask when triaging a sick horse?

“Are you able to take a temperature?” 🌡️

Being able to provide a re**al temperature on your horse when sickness or emergencies arise is very important. It can help us decide how emergent your horse should be seen and helps the veterinarian prepare for what may be going on.

❗️ Tips for success! ❗️
-Have access to a working thermometer.
-Train your horse to be comfortable and stand still to take a re**al temperature. Bonus points if you can do it safely alone!
-Think ahead and have this information available when calling in.
-Remember the “normals”
Adult: 99.0-101.5*F
Foal: 99.0-102.0*F

Summer is a common time for fevers and overheating. Taking a temperature on any horse that is quiet, inappetent, or just ADR (Ain’t Doin Right) is never the wrong answer!

07/03/2025

Happy July 4th! 🎆🎇

The office will be closing at 2pm today and remain closed until 9am Saturday morning. We have on call veterinarians available for any emergency needs!

Stay cool and happy holidays!

07/02/2025

The heat is not letting up, and we have been getting so many calls about new “non-sweaters.” This post has a lot of great information about anhydrosis!

06/28/2025

Thanks to Virginia Equine Imaging for hosting a great CE event! Dr. Beatty, Dr. Williamson, and Dr. Smith visited to learn about the new standing CT unit now available. They got to see a demo of its use and hear a great talk by the radiologist, Dr. Kurt Selberg, about cases and uses for the CT. Having this imaging modality so close will be invaluable!

06/24/2025

A quick reminder that July 4th is right around the corner! 🎇🧨

We want to make sure you are prepared to keep your equine friends calm during any fireworks or festivities. Please give the office a call if you need any medications or would like to chat about recommendations to make it a safe holiday!

The office number is 703-754-3309

06/19/2025

The hot weather is coming 🔥The heat index next week is climbing up, so now is the time to chat about keeping our horses safe and comfortable.

Tips and recommendations for keeping horses hydrated and cool:
-always provide clean and fresh water
-add flavor like Gatorade or a handful of senior grain to water to entice drinking
-add daily electrolytes, a sprinkle of salt on grain, or electrolyte paste dosed orally
-allow access to water in small increments throughout the ride or just after finishing
-continuous cool water hosing is the fastest way to lower body temperature

Always trust your gut on the temperature/humidity when deciding whether to ride!

06/18/2025

If you ever find a sharp object in your horse’s foot, resist the urge and DO NOT pull it out! Call us immediately!

See this great post from the AAEP to read more.

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

06/08/2025

Case of the Week!

Meet Chip! He is a beloved member of Ride-on Ranch team, and unfortunately underwent an enucleation of his left eye this week.

HVS was called out several weeks ago and found that Chip was suddenly unable to blink with his left eye. A full physical and neurologic exam gave him the diagnosis of left-sided facial nerve paralysis for an unknown reason. The facial nerve is crucial in many motor and sensory functions of the face, one of which is controlling the blink response which is very important for protecting the eye. Many times this is temporarily caused by a trauma or pressure from a halter under anesthesia, none of which applied to Chip. The team was puzzled but hoped with supportive care and protecting the eye that function would quickly return.

Dr. DeArmas placed a temporary tarsorrhaphy, using several sutures to temporarily hold the eyelids shut until his body could heal. Unfortunately, Chip still developed a large and deep corneal ulcer that caused immense pain and was going to be difficult to treat.

Ultimately, the team decided the best and least painful option for Chip was to remove the eye. Dr. Smith and LVT Charlotte performed a standing enucleation this week on the farm—this procedure is done with heavy sedation and many nerve blocks to numb the area, so Chip did not have to undergo general anesthesia. He was the perfect patient, and the surgery went smoothly.

Send Chip and his family all of your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!

06/06/2025

Dr. DeArmas catching up on medical records with the help of a long-eared friend!