Wellness

We recommend all horses be examined at least once a yearly by a equine veterinarian to ensure their overall health. Our team of experienced equine veterinarians are able to perform a complete physical examination either at our facility or on your farm, whichever is easiest for you and your horse. A  physical examination at Columbia Equine Hospital consists of:

  • Complete Physical Exam
  • Dental Examination
  • Development of a personalized Vaccination and Deworming Schedule
  • Brief Discussion on Nutrition

Strategic Deworming

The veterinarians at Columbia Equine Hospital will work with you to develop a strategic deworming plan for your horse. To do so, Fecal Egg Counts (FEC) should be performed to determine their parasite load. These FEC results will allow our veterinarians to determine their level of shedding (low, moderate, high), then create a unique deworming schedule for your horse. With this approach we can effectively reduce the parasite burden in your horse while preventing parasite resistance. This target approach will improve your horses overall health, body condition, reduce complications that arise from parasitic infections such as colic, and reduce unnecessary deworming treatments.

To submit a Fecal Egg Count (FEC) follow these instructions:

  • Please write your horses name and your name on a ziploc bag with a permanent marker. Find a fresh manure pile (still warm) and carefully place one manure ball into the labeled ziploc bag. Ideally bring this sample to Columbia Equine Hospital immediately or you may store this sample in the refrigerator, for up to 24 hours, before your appointment with one of our veterinarians or until you are able to bring it to the hospital.

Vaccinations

Protecting your horse from disease is a essential part of his or her overall wellness plan. Vaccinations are vital to protecting against disease, and we will create a vaccination schedule that is right for your horse.

Core Yearly Vaccinations:

  • Tetanus—All horses are at risk for this potentially fatal disease. Transmission is by invasion of the ubiquitous bacteria through puncture wounds, open lacerations, exposed tissues or surgical incisions.
  • Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis—Transmission is by mosquitoes or other blood-sucking insects. While rare in our area, it is recommend to vaccinate your horses against this potentially life threatening disease.
  • Rabies—While the incidence of rabies in horses is low, if it is contracted it is 100 % fatal and can be transmitted to humans. It is recommend to vaccinate your horses yearly for this life threatening disease.
  • West Nile Virus– Transmission is mostly through mosquitoes and, rarely, other bloodsucking insects after feeding on birds infected with West Nile virus.

Risk-based Vaccinations Recommendations:

  • Equine Herpes Virus type -1 and type -4 /(EHV-1) & (EHV-4)
  • Equine Influenza
  • Strangles

Routine Blood Work

A yearly complete blood count (CBC) and blood biochemistry (CHEM) allow our veterinarians to assess your horses overall health and organ function. With yearly evaluation we are able to determine if your horse has any early indication of infection or disease. This will allow our veterinarians to treat and make recommendations early to improve your horses overall health and prevent disease progression.