Damascus Equine Associates, Michael Erskine, DVM

04/08/2025

The office will be closed Wednesday, April 9, 2025 so our staff can attend a funeral.

If you have an emergency, please call 240-782-8350.

All other requests will be answered the next business day.

09/04/2024

While it’s a common equine emergency, esophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus (the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).

Most commonly, choking occurs when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, choke can have serious consequences. So, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

To learn more about choke, visit: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/response-choke-53083?fbclid=IwY2xjawFD8vFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfE-Zua-igK44im7wrVKxQCC-BpnLCteEuv_kOcOvm_IrRy_GusLbR99tA_aem_vtdTknV2QDBSXk79x9PmjQ

08/22/2024

Congrats Dr. Lewis!

Congratulations to our July Good Works for Horses honorees! 🎉

We are excited to spotlight Dr. James Lewis, a member of Damascus Equine Associates in Mount Airy, Maryland, for volunteering his services with Safe Haven Equine Warriors, a nonprofit whose primary focus is to rescue, rehabilitate, retrain and rehome equines either suffering from or in imminent danger of abuse or neglect.

Dr. Lewis serves on the advisory council and supports the rescue’s mission in multiple ways. Volunteering his expertise to oversee the health of the rescue’s herd and treating often difficult conditions to give rescued horses a new lease on life, Dr. Lewis leads difficult discussions with sensible compassion.

We would also like to congratulate runners-up Dr. Keith Bogatch, a racetrack veterinarian based in Elmont, New York, and Dr. Alyssa King, owner of King's Kreatures, in Yoder, Colorado.

The Good Works for Horses campaign, graciously sponsored by AAEP Educational Partner Zoetis Equine, honors AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts have a positive impact on the equine community.

Read more here: https://aaep.org/post/dr-james-lewis-honored-as-aaep-good-works-recipient-for-july/

08/12/2024

The fundraiser has reached 25% of the goal! Please consider making a small donation to support future veterinarians!

Calling all animal lovers! ? Our entry is in for the Unleash Your Inner Animal contest! ? Vote to support Maryland veterinary students' scholarships. Every vote counts, so let's make a big impact together! Click to vote and spread the word. Thank you for your support!

08/07/2024

We've entered the Unleash Your Inner Animal Contest to raise money for Maryland veterinary student scholarships. Please consider making a donation to a great cause and then cast your vote for our practice's entry. Every contribution and vote counts! Click the link to make a big impact!

Please help us raise scholarship funds for Maryland's veterinary students! The Maryland Veterinary Foundation awards scholarships to students from Maryland pursuing all levels of veterinary medical education. How can you support us?

Click the link below to DONATE... just $5 helps! Securing the future of veterinary medicine in Maryland means there will be plenty of veterinarians to care for your beloved pets for years and years to come! After donating, VOTE for our photo to boost our chances of winning the contest! THANK YOU!

Calling all animal lovers! ? Our entry is in for the Unleash Your Inner Animal contest! ? Vote to support Maryland veterinary students' scholarships. Every vote counts, so let's make a big impact together! Click to vote and spread the word. Thank you for your support!

07/29/2024

While we still need your votes to stay in first place, more importantly donations are needed! Please consider supporting such a great cause!

Calling all animal lovers! ? Our entry is in for the Unleash Your Inner Animal contest! ? Vote to support Maryland veterinary students' scholarships. Every vote counts, so let's make a big impact together! Click to vote and spread the word. Thank you for your support!

07/24/2024

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

07/15/2024

Calling all animal lovers! ? Our entry is in for the Unleash Your Inner Animal contest! ? Vote to support Maryland veterinary students' scholarships. Every vote counts, so let's make a big impact together! Click to vote and spread the word. Thank you for your support!

07/15/2024

Vote for us and please consider donating to the Maryland Veterinary Foundation Scholarships! You can help raise funds for veterinary scholarships to reduce debt after graduation. We need more veterinarians and every donation counts!

Calling all animal lovers! ? Our entry is in for the Unleash Your Inner Animal contest! ? Vote to support Maryland veterinary students' scholarships. Every vote counts, so let's make a big impact together! Click to vote and spread the word. Thank you for your support!

06/25/2024

Don't forget to make a plan for your horses with the fireworks on the 4th of July. Make sure to contact the office if you have any concerns about keeping them calm!

05/22/2024

04/11/2024

Don't forget that our Strangles seminar is going on right now!