Barrow Veterinary Service

08/22/2025

🦴✨ Friday Fun Fact with Barrow Veterinary Service! ✨🦴

Did you know that horses are actually walking on the tips of their fingers and toes? 🐎👣

This diagram shows how the horse’s leg bones compare to ours. What looks like a single strong hoof is really the distal phalanx (or coffin bone) – the same bone that makes up the tip of your finger! The long and short pastern bones above it help absorb concussion, while the cannon bone provides strength and support.

Over time, horses evolved to lose most of their “extra toes” (shown in gray on the left). What remains is a highly efficient structure designed for speed, weight-bearing, and shock absorption.

Understanding this anatomy is one reason hoof care and regular farrier/veterinary visits are so important. Any imbalance or injury in these bones can affect the entire limb and your horse’s comfort.

So next time you watch your horse gallop, remember – they’re essentially running on a single finger, protected by a hoof! 💨🐴

08/20/2025

✨💊 Did you know not all online pet pharmacies are created equal? 💊✨

At Barrow Veterinary Service, we’re proud to offer our own Covetrus online pharmacy. Here’s why we recommend using it over third-party options like Chewy or Valley Vet:

✔️ Trusted source – Every medication from our online pharmacy comes directly from the same distribution warehouse that supplies our clinic. That means you can trust it’s the exact same safe, effective product we use every day.

✔️ Manufacturer-backed guarantees – Because our products come straight from approved distributors, they carry full manufacturer warranties. Third-party pharmacies can’t always guarantee that.

✔️ Peace of mind – With some outside pharmacies, there’s no way to know where their medications are sourced from, or if they’ve been stored properly. With Covetrus, you can rest easy knowing your horse is getting medications that are safe, effective, and exactly what was prescribed.

💻 Ordering through our pharmacy is convenient, reliable, and ensures your horse’s health always comes first. 🐴💙

Ready to see for yourself?
Visit our Covetrus pharmacy now:
barrowvets.covetruspharmacy.com

Let us help you give your pets the same reliable care they get in-clinic—delivered straight to your door.

08/14/2025

Case of the Week – Answer 🐴👁️
Yesterday we shared a photo of our handsome mule patient here at Barrow Veterinary Service with one very telling clue—his eyelashes on one eye were pointing straight down. This is a classic sign of eye pain in horses and mules.

Thankfully, there was no corneal stain uptake, meaning he hadn’t scratched the surface of his eye. Instead, he had rubbed it and caused some irritation, leading to mild conjunctivitis.

With a few days of treatment from Dr. Barrow and Dr. Connelly—Atropine, Triple Antibiotic ointment, and a little Banamine for comfort—he’s back to feeling like his happy self again. 🥳

Remember, any change in the way your horse’s eye looks (or how those eyelashes are sitting!) can be an important sign to have it checked promptly. Eye issues can worsen quickly, so early intervention is key!

08/13/2025

🩺 Case of the Week
Meet our handsome model for this week’s case 😍. At first glance, he might just look curious about the camera… but take a closer look at what’s going on.

If you walked into the barn and saw this, would your first thought be, “Better call the vet – and fast!”?
Could this be something minor, or is it a sign of a more serious condition that requires immediate attention?

Tell us:
1️⃣ Would this warrant an emergency call?
2️⃣ What do you think the diagnosis could be?

Drop your guesses below – we’ll reveal the answer, along with the treatment plan tomorrow!

08/08/2025

🦶 Friday Fun Fact from Barrow Veterinary Service! 🦶

No hoof, no horse—and here’s why:

A horse’s hoof may look small, but it supports 100% of their body weight, and each hoof can bear over 1,000 pounds of pressure with every step! 😱

Each hoof supports a massive amount of weight and endures tremendous force—up to 2,000 lbs of pressure per foot at a gallop. But what’s inside the hoof is even more fascinating.

🔹 The frog isn’t just there for traction—it plays a major role in circulation. Every time your horse steps down, the frog compresses and helps pump blood back up the leg, supporting venous return and reducing fatigue.
🔹 The digital cushion and lateral cartilages provide shock absorption and structural stability, helping prevent concussion injuries.
🔹 The laminae, a complex interlocking system inside the hoof wall, suspends the coffin bone. This area is critical—and it’s what becomes inflamed during laminitis, a painful and potentially devastating condition.
🔹 Regular trimming is vital—uneven or overgrown hooves can lead to long-term lameness issues, including tendon strain and joint damage.

So next time you're picking out hooves, remember—those feet are biomechanical masterpieces. 🐎

08/04/2025

🔍 Case of the Week – The Answer Revealed! 🔍

Last Wednesday, we asked what could cause a horse’s beautiful blue eye to suddenly turn green… and many of you guessed, but only a few got it right!

🟦➡️🟩 Answer: Prolonged high fever in horses with blue eyes.

In rare cases, when a horse with blue eyes experiences a significant fever for an extended period, it can cause inflammation in the tissues of the eye — specifically the iris. This inflammation can lead to pigment changes, shifting that signature blue into a bright green hue.

This isn’t something we see every day, but it’s a real and fascinating consequence of systemic illness — and just one more reminder of how important it is to monitor and manage fevers in our equine patients.

Have you ever seen a green-eyed horse in real life? Let us know below! 👇

07/30/2025

🔍 Case of the Week – Can You Guess? 🐴
This lovely filly came in with something eye-catching—literally! 👁️💚
Her normally bright blue eye had turned green. What could cause such a dramatic color change?

Drop your guesses below! ⬇️
(Hint: It's not a new contact lens trend. 😉)

Stay tuned—we’ll reveal the answer tomorrow and dive into the veterinary side of this fascinating case!

07/25/2025

🌊 Friday Fun Fact! 🐎
Did you know that horses are natural swimmers?

Even though you don’t see it often, horses can swim instinctively! As soon as their hooves leave the ground in water, they begin a paddling motion that keeps them afloat. Their powerful legs help propel them through the water, and their large lungs give them natural buoyancy.

🏖️ Swimming can be great low-impact exercise for horses recovering from injury or needing a break from hard footing. It's used in equine rehab centers to:

Improve fitness

Build muscle without stress on joints

Aid in recovery from tendon or ligament injuries

But remember:
🚫 Not all horses love the water, and safety is key! Never force a horse into deep water, and always supervise swimming sessions.

💡 Bonus fun fact: Horses often snort when swimming—to clear their nostrils above water, just like people blow out through their nose!

Stay cool and stay safe this summer!
—Your team at Barrow Veterinary Service

Horses are truly incredible creatures — not only for their power, grace, and endurance on land, but also for their remarkable ability to swim confidently and naturally. 🌊🐎

Many people don’t realize that swimming is an instinct for horses. They don’t need to be taught — when a horse enters deep water, it immediately begins to paddle with strong, rhythmic leg movements that keep it afloat.

✅ Fascinating facts:

Horses can swim at a speed of about 4–6 km/h (2.5–3.7 mph).

Depending on their fitness and health, they are capable of swimming from 300 meters up to several kilometers without rest.

Their large lungs, strong heart, and muscular build allow them to handle mild currents with ease.

Swimming is also highly beneficial for their health: it strengthens muscles, relieves stress on joints, and helps with relaxation and recovery.

But perhaps the most awe-inspiring part is the calm and trust you see in a horse’s eyes while it swims. Swimming isn’t about escape or fear — it’s about freedom. In every powerful stroke, there’s harmony with nature. In every breath, there's raw, living strength.

Watching a horse glide through deep water, you don’t just see an animal. You see a spirit that doesn’t fear the depth — because it was born to move through it.

07/24/2025

🩺 Case of the Week Answer! 🐴
Thanks to everyone who submitted guesses this week! Our patient was diagnosed with pneumonia — a potentially serious and life-threatening respiratory condition in horses.

📋 Presenting Symptoms:

Inappetance (not wanting to eat)

Increased respiratory rate

Lethargy

Weight loss

± Fever

🔬 Diagnosis:
An ultrasound of the lungs revealed areas of lung consolidation (where normal lung tissue becomes firm and fluid-filled), along with fluid lines and decreased aeration. These findings are classic indicators of pneumonia.

🚨 What Causes Equine Pneumonia?
Pneumonia in horses can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungal infections. One of the more common causes we see in adult horses is aspiration pneumonia — often occurring after an episode of choke. When a horse chokes, feed or saliva can be accidentally inhaled into the lungs, setting up the perfect environment for infection to develop.

💉 Treatment Plan:
Pneumonia in horses requires aggressive treatment, including:
✅ Long-term, targeted antibiotics (based on culture when possible)
✅ Anti-inflammatories to reduce fever and improve comfort
✅ IV fluids or nutritional support if the horse isn't eating
✅ Careful monitoring and follow-up imaging

📌 Key Takeaway:
Any time a horse experiences choke, it’s important to monitor them closely in the days that follow. Even if they seem fine afterward, pneumonia can develop silently and worsen quickly. If your horse is breathing fast, seems tired, or just "off," don’t delay—call your veterinarian.

👏 We’re happy to report our patient is responding well to treatment and on the road to recovery!

07/23/2025

🩺 Case of the Week Wednesday! 🐴
This patient came to us with the following symptoms:
🔹 Inappetance
🔹 Increased respiratory rate
🔹 Lethargy
🔹 Weight loss
🔹 +/- Fever

Take a close look at the ultrasound image below 👀🔬
Can you guess what the diagnosis might be?

Comment below with your best guess! 🧠💬
We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow!

07/18/2025

💦 Friday Fun Fact from Barrow Veterinary Service
Let’s talk SWEAT!

Horses are among the few animals that sweat to cool down, and they’re exceptionally good at it—sometimes losing over 2 gallons per hour during intense exercise or in extreme heat.

But here’s what makes equine sweat unique:

🔬 Latherin, a special protein in horse sweat, acts like a natural detergent. It helps break surface tension so sweat can spread across the coat and evaporate efficiently—even through thick hair. That’s what causes the white, foamy lather you often see under the tack.

😓 Electrolyte loss: Horses lose large amounts of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium through sweat. Without proper replacement, this can lead to muscle cramping, poor performance, and even colic-like symptoms.

⚠️ A serious condition to watch for is anhidrosis—when a horse’s ability to sweat is reduced or completely stops. It’s common in hot, humid climates like Georgia and can lead to dangerous overheating. Signs include:

Rapid breathing after exercise

Dry or patchy sweat

Poor performance or fatigue

Elevated temperature

If you suspect your horse isn’t sweating normally, it’s time to call your vet! Early management is key to keeping your athlete cool and safe. 🐴🧊

07/17/2025

🔍 Case of the Week – Answer Time! 🔍
This week, Dr. Barrow used a Pro-Stride injection to treat a horse experiencing joint discomfort — and we’re diving deeper into what that means!

🐎 What is Pro-Stride?
Pro-Stride APS (Autologous Protein Solution) is an advanced, drug-free therapy that harnesses the horse’s own blood to target joint inflammation and pain. It’s part of a growing class of regenerative therapies designed to support long-term joint health and function — especially helpful for performance horses or those with early arthritic changes.

🧪 How it works:

We draw a small amount of the horse’s blood stall-side.

The blood is processed in a special system that concentrates anti-inflammatory proteins (cytokines) and growth factors.

These concentrated proteins are then injected directly into the affected joint to reduce inflammation and support natural healing.

Unlike traditional joint injections that use corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, Pro-Stride contains no medications — just the horse’s own healing components.

💡 Why choose Pro-Stride?
✅ Ideal for horses with mild to moderate arthritis
✅ Useful for horses that can’t tolerate steroids
✅ Offers longer-lasting relief — typically up to a year
✅ No drug withdrawal times — great for show horses
✅ Supports natural joint repair instead of just masking pain

In this case, Dr. Barrow selected Pro-Stride to treat inflammation in a performance horse’s Coffin joint. The goal is to reduce pain, slow progression of joint degeneration, and help the horse stay comfortable and competitive — all while avoiding the side effects of repeated steroid use.

If your horse is dealing with arthritis or joint stiffness, regenerative therapy like Pro-Stride might be a great option. Have questions? Let us know!

📞 Barrow Veterinary Service — Equine-Only Care with a Forward-Thinking Approach