Equine Care
Southwest Veterinary Services believes preventive medicine allows for a productive working relationship between the horse, the owner and the veterinarian.
We recommend regular examinations and routine care in order to prevent serious problems and minimize emergencies.
We recommend our equine patients have the following yearly treatments:
Dental Care
Fecal McMasters (parasite egg count) & Deworming
Core Vaccinations based on age & risk Zoetis Guarantee
Coggins/Bloodwork including wellness, chronic pain med use, geriatric, performance
Lameness
“Traditionally, lameness has been defined as any alteration of the horse's gait. In addition, lameness can be manifest in such ways as a change in attitude or performance. These abnormalities can be caused by pain in the neck, withers, shoulders, back, loin, hips, legs or feet. Identifying the source of the problem is essential to proper treatment”
— AAEP
- Diagnostics may include:
Medical history of the horse
Visual appraisal at rest
Hands on exam
Hoof testers
Horse in motion
Joint flexion tests
Nerve blocks, radiographs and/or ultrasound
In order to provide a well-rounded team of experts for your patient, I work closely with several local farriers as well as Dr. Shannon Subasi of Los Alamos Equine Veterinary Services.
Lameness is a multifaceted problem and it takes multiple positive working relationships in order to provide the most effective care for the horse.
Field Surgery, Colic & Sick Patient Care
Our equine friends have no shortage of creativity when it comes to finding ways to get into trouble. Routine care helps us build a relationship with your horse so that we can better help when a bigger issue happens. Whether it is something small that requires an antibiotic or a larger laceration that requires sutures and bandaging, our mobile unit is equipped to meet your needs.
We also offer a variety of other field services, including routine castrations.
Thorough history and physical exam are paramount in effectively treating or referring a colic/sick patient. The initiation of treatment in the field will be based on the physical exam and history of the animal and its ability to be stabilized and effectively treated in the field.
I offer after hours emergency services ONLY to current clients at this time.
As always, Your horse’s best interest is on our mind and if at any time the lameness or disease process of the patient is beyond the scope of this practice both in diagnosis and treatment, a referral facility will be contacted in order to continue to facilitate the absolute best care for the patient.