Keswick Equine Clinic

08/18/2025

Save the Date: It's almost time for our client education seminar. We will be sending out an email to RSVP soon but you can mark your calendars NOW! We hope to see you there!

08/14/2025

As silly as it sounds, the "carrot test" can be used to help diagnose tooth aches in our equine companions.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EORTH) is a dental condition that affects the incisors of middle-aged horses and older. As the name suggests, it acts by both resorbing the teeth and then producing large amounts of cementum (a hard substance that anchors the teeth into place).

Clinical signs such as difficulty chewing, teeth discoloration and painful gums are highly suspicious for this disease, but you can also offer your horse a carrot to assess how comfortable they are biting down. If it seems painful for them while biting the carrot, they could have EORTH!

Your veterinarian can do an oral examination and take dental radiographs to confirm the diagnosis. This is a progressive disease so there is no cure, but there are management strategies that can improve their comfort.

If you are concerned that your horse may have EORTH or is experiencing oral pain, contact your veterinarian so that they may further evaluate and suggest treatment options.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

08/12/2025

Meet the summer Sore:
Summer sores in horses, also known as cutaneous habronemiasis, are caused by the larvae of stomach worms (Habronema spp.) that are deposited by flies onto wounds, moist areas, or mucocutaneous junctions. These sores are characterized by itchy, ulcerated lesions, often with excessive granulation tissue, and are most prevalent during warmer months when flies are abundant. Treatment involves killing the parasites, reducing inflammation, and managing secondary infections. Be sure to reach out to us at the first sign. We would rather examine small ulcerated sores before they get too big and become problematic.

A summer sore will rarely heal on its own. These sores usually appear in spring and summer, when flies are most active, and just keep getting worse as summer progresses. The inflammation may fade in winter and you may think recovery is underway, but in spring the sore usually erupts again.

Prevention: A comprehensive fly control system and deworming program based on f***l egg counts is the best way to prevent summer sores from becoming a problem in the first place.
Socks, like Silver Whinnys, offer a barrier against insects and debris while allowing air circulation for healing. Booties can provide more robust protection and support, especially for sores on the lower legs or hocks. The best choice depends on the location and severity of the sore, as well as the horse's management and activity level.

Take Aways: Manure removal is key! The fewer flies you have, the better your horse's odds of avoiding this painfully annoying menace are. Check your equine friends regularly to stay ahead of them. It is so much easier, economical, and faster to treat summer sores early!

08/04/2025

08/01/2025

The term "fat leg" is pretty self-explanatory, but do you know the difference between stocking up and cellulitis?

Many horses will "stock up" with subcutaneous edema (fluid swelling) in two or more legs (usually the hind limbs). Stocking up generally results from a significant decrease in exercise and usually resolves as the horse starts exercising again.

Lymphangitis (or vasculitis, big leg disease, staph infection, or cellulitis), however, is a bacterial infection and a dramatically different condition. While its causes may vary, it’s easy to spot once it sets in. The swelling will be extreme, hot, very painful to the touch, and the horse will be depressed due to the fever and discomfort.

If you think your equine friend has cellulitis or even if you're not sure, we encourage you to seek professional help promptly. Your equine practitioner will make the best treatment recommendations, both to reduce swelling and to address any sort of bacterial infection that might be active or that could occur due to the edema in the soft tissue.

07/25/2025

07/20/2025

It's MYTHBUSTER time!

The core vaccinations for every horse, regardless of their travel status, include Rabies, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Tetanus.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes, bacteria, and rabid animals do not discriminate when it comes to infecting horses. Whether a horse is in a freshly bedded stall, wide open pasture, or on show grounds, mosquitoes can potentially infect your horse with life threatening diseases such as EEE, WEE, and/or WNV.

Tetanus is a common clostridial bacteria present in the dirt and can infect a horse who has never left its home just the same as a horse who shows every weekend if it doesn't have proper vaccine status.

Rabies is a 100% fatal disease once clinical signs are present and is easily transmissible to humans and other animals both at home and on the trails.

It's also important to note that different regions in the U.S. may have additional "core" recommendations so be sure to ask your veterinarian what is best for your horse!

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information!

07/17/2025

Electrolytes aren't just for elite equine athletes, but in reality any horse who sweats for a prolonged period of time can deplete these vital minerals to critical levels. Learn more by clicking the link in the comments.

07/16/2025

07/12/2025

How do you thank your farrier?

It’s ! Let’s take a moment to celebrate and thank our farriers!

Proper foot care is the cornerstone of maintaining a sound horse, and a good farrier is an essential part of your equine's healthcare team, keeping your horse’s feet balanced and well-supported. Farriers and veterinarians often work together for the best interests of the horse, so a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset. Be sure to let your farriers know they are appreciated!

07/09/2025

We LOVE hearing from our clients! Thank you for such a nice email JoAnn. We're always happy to help!

07/04/2025

We hope you all have a safe and Happy Independence Day!! Our office is closed but we are still available for emergencies today and through the weekend.