Green Oaks Equine Veterinary Service, LLC

02/19/2025

Yes, this is a delicate diagnostic tool that we will perform as veterinarians when we deem the benefit is worth the risk. It does not help fix a colic. I see lots of misconceptions out there on it.

Colic can be a stressful and scary occurrence for equine owners, and it often requires the attention of an equine veterinarian to detect the cause of the episode and to provide treatment.

One way your horse doctor may try to determine the reason your equine companion is colicking is by performing a re**al examination. Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the equine re**al exam:

• Re**al exams need to be performed by a skilled professional (your vet) or severe damage can occur to the internal structures.

• Re**al exams typically do not allow a veterinarian to alleviate the reason for colic. Your vet is feeling structures through the re**um not directly on the structures themselves, and therefore cannot pull out an impaction, etc.

• For the safety of the patient and your veterinarian, as well as the nature of the procedure, sedation is often required.

• NEVER perform a re**al exam yourself while waiting for the vet to arrive, as this could result in life threatening tears in the re**um and/or colon.

If you have questions or concerns that your equine companion may be colicking, please contact your veterinarian.

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

**alExams

01/23/2024

https://www.platinumperformance.com/horses/platinumcoliccoverage.html

The complimentary Platinum Colic Coverage program reimburses you for the cost of colic surgery up to $10,000 and combines wellness services with supplementation for a healthier horse.

12/30/2023

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to be confronted with a medical emergency—even during the holidays. Are you prepared to act?

Having a clear emergency action plan will help you stay focused and effective if a crisis strikes. Below are some basic guidelines that can help you prepare for an equine emergency:

1. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours. Ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available for emergencies.

2. Have a plan for transporting the horse is necessary and know in advance the most direct route to an equine surgery center.

3. Prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry, readily accessible place. Keep a first aid kit in your horse trailer or towing vehicle as well, and be sure to check your supplies periodically and restock as needed. First-aid kits can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like; seek your horse doctor's advice on what to add, especially regarding any drugs that could be included and how they should be administered.

12/21/2022

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture cautions horse owners and handlers in Arkansas following a voluntary recall of alfalfa cubes from Manzanola Feeds due to a possible Clostridium botulinum health risk.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice on December 17 advising horse owners not to feed Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes with the date codes 111222, 111322, 111422, 111522, and 111622. This product has been recalled by Manzanola Feeds of Manzanola, Colorado, which distributes directly to feed stores and co-ops in the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. Further distribution is possible, so it is important to check the date codes located on the front of the bag.

The FDA is aware of at least 98 horses in four states that showed neurologic symptoms. These cases of illness and death in horses are being investigated in cooperation with state departments of agriculture in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. The symptoms in the cases reported are consistent with botulism, and further testing is underway. At least 45 of these horses have died or were euthanized due to declining health.

To read the full FDA release visit fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-cautions-horse-owners-not-feed-recalled-lots-top-rockies-alfalfa-cubes-due-reports-illness-and.

07/12/2022

Join us next Tuesday evening to learn about regenerative medicine and it’s benefits for your horse! Zoetis will be providing food and the DVM speaker! RSVP to me

03/14/2022

Join my Boehringer-Ingelheim colleagues and myself for a free horse owner talk on equine asthma with food provided and a prize drawing!!!

07/29/2021

Some fun facts on horses 😊

Need a few more reasons to love horses? Check out these fascinating “quick” facts you may not know about our equine friends!

“So the horse that walks around, eats grass, looks at the view and gives every appearance of tranquillity was, in fact, designed by God to explode.” — Dr. George Pratt

Source: National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

06/23/2021

It is likely that, at some point, you were told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up.

This is a myth, and a dangerous one to boot because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.d. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first). The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/offering-a-horse-water-after-exercise-8622

04/22/2020

Some good tips for when horses get wounds

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️🙈

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make horses especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing, and maintaining your presence of mind could save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency; how you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances, and on the advise you will receive from your veterinarian.

Learn more on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/guidelines-follow-during-equine-emergencies
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03/26/2020

During this time of social distancing, remember you can still shop for your horse’s needs from the convenience of home and get it shipped to you! Prescription medications, supplements, dewormer, fly spray, etc available.

https://greenoaksequine.vetsfirstchoice.com

03/21/2020

Tips for horse barns during this time from AAEP

TIPS FOR EQUINE BUSINESSES DURING COVID-19

With the recommendations from the CDC, requirements put in place by some states, and the general fear in the United States, horse businesses are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and facing some unique challenges.

Some of the important things to remember are:
• Use common sense: horse folks are familiar with biosecurity and disease spread, we just need to apply this knowledge to humans. Think "strangles protocol"!
• Be prepared to enforce some restrictions and some changes to your barn policies until the pandemic has passed.
• Protecting your health and the health of your staff, family and clients is paramount during this time.
• Have a plan in place for the number of essential staff required to look after the horses’ minimum needs, and provide frequent updates to both clients and employees.
• Horse owners should have alternate plans in place for the care of their horses if they themselves become sick and self-isolate or become hospitalized. If you have no one to help look after your horses, then the CDC recommends that you wash
your hands before and after caring for your animals, as well as wear a face mask while handling them until you are cleared by your health care professional.
• The AVMA has stated that infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people. However, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

Our friends at Stable Management Magazine pulled together some tips and ideas that might help you manage this uncertain time; you can read the full article at https://stablemanagement.com/articles/tips-for-equine-businesses-during-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR0NaxOnIeSX3C3SIEo9StEuCr9rFRkPUkvcCLdk9WFcHus4W4il6D4YAxE.

Please remember that this is a rapidly evolving situation and information may change.
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