General Health

Equine Services at Our Animal Clinic

Horses can encounter health issues just as any other type of pet can. Fortunately, the great majority of these issues can be prevented through regular wellness care and good management. For all other medical needs, a veterinarian with proper training and expertise in equine health is invaluable. Horse owners will be pleased to know that our clinic can provide the necessary care for their equine companions. 

Vaccinations, Dental Care and More for Your Equine Animals

Horses must receive certain essential vaccines to protect them against serious illnesses. Rabies, a universal and deadly threat to mammals, can cause neurological damage, behavioral changes and death. This frightening ailment is transferred through the bite of a rabid animal, making it imperative that you vaccinate your horse, to maintain protection. Other core vaccinations for horses include those for Tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis and West Nile virus; these vaccinations require yearly boosters. Vaccination for Potomac Horse Fever, Rhinopneumonitis, and Equine Influenza are also commonly administered. 

Dentistry

You may have heard that a horse's teeth "grow" and need to be filed, and while this is not quite the right terminology, the eruption process does require dental care to correct malocclusions that can occur during ageing.  At the very minimum, horse teeth require a procedure called "floating", which corrects for sharp edges; dental issues can lead to pain, chewing difficulties and digestive problems. Good dentistry requires a horse to be sedated, a mouth speculum placed, and a bright light source to visualize the entire oral cavity and dentition.  A yearly exam and of the entire mouth and dentition, and dentistry as needed, is very important to maintain the health of your horse.  As a horse ages, the grinding ability can become less efficient and individual teeth may become loose or overworn. More advanced dental issues require more advanced dentistry to correct.  Dr. Connolly offers two levels of dentistry: routine "floating" of sharp enamel points, and more advanced dentistry to correct malocclusions. 

Podiatry

 Care of your horse's hooves are generally performed by your Farrier; however, it is important to have a good veterinary-farrier relationship to work toward the best care possible.  Hoof radiographs (x-rays) can assist your farrier to better trim and balance the hoof. Radiographs allow us to see the angle of the bone inside the hoof capsule, along with the palmar angel, the medial lateral balance, the heel and toe length, and to check for arthritic changes to the joint.  Horses that have, or develop, laminitis need frequent radiographs to assess and maintain their angle and sole depth. Other treatable ailments that can produce lameness including arthritis, infections and traumatic injury to a joint, can be diagnosed through radiography, ultrasound, nerve blocks, joint blocks, and a thorough exam of the animal's gait. 

General Health

Horses are vulnerable to ailments caused by parasites or infections. Fungi, bacteria, allergic reactions or other conditions can cause skin lesions and/or hair loss. Allergic reactions may come from external stimuli, such as the choice of bedding or airborne pollutants, or from food sensitivity. Lice and mites can also cause skin problems. Tests can determine the exact cause of your horse's skin issue and the appropriate treatment can be prescribed. Horses may also need treatment for health problems such as colic, metabolic disease, cancer or internal organ dysfunction, ophthalmic disorders, and neurological disorders, to name a few. Periodic lab testing allows us to screen for any ill health and prescribe the appropriate treatment or care as quickly as possible. We can perform these tests during an annual wellness check while also evaluating the need for tooth floating, corrective hoof trimming and other preventative procedures.

We encourage horse owners seeking a high standard of professional care. Contact Dr. Connolly for an initial consultation.

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Monday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Tuesday

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Thursday

9:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Saturday

emergency only

Sunday

emergency only

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm by appt
Tuesday
9:00 am - 6:00 pm by appt
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm by appt
Thursday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm by appt
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm by appt
Saturday
emergency only
Sunday
emergency only