Diagnostic & Preventative Medicine
Preventative medicine such as regular yearly evaluations and vaccinations should be part of your wellness plan for your horse. When something arises call us for thorough diagnostic evaluation.
preventative Medicine includes
Parasite Control - Internal parasites are a common danger to the health and well‑being of horses. These parasites are responsible for many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including most types of colic. The treatment and control of internal parasites is not only a continuous, long term task, but a cornerstone to a successful equine health management program.
Vaccinations - Immunization against infectious diseases is another important part of a preventative medicine program for your horse. An annual Encephalomyelitis ( sleeping sickness), Tetanus and Influenza vaccination is necessary for minimum protection. For those horses that are exposed to infectious diseases contact with other horses, vaccination more frequently for Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis is helpful in preventing respiratory diseases. The frequency of vaccination depends on the amount of exposure and the duration of immunity provided by the vaccine. Foals are pregnant mares require special attention to their vaccination schedule.
Dentistry - The horse’s teeth should be examined once a year and floated if necessary. Some older horses may require floating more often than once a year.
Diagnostic Medicine
Knowing when to call in your veterinarian is key to keeping your horse healthy.
Here are some general guidelines:
The presence of uncontrollable bleeding, foreign objects protruding from the body (do not remove them!), lacerations, injury to the eye or eyelids, abdominal pain or diarrhea, aggressive or unusual behavior, neurologic signs, severe or chronic lameness, mares which are actively in labor for more than 20 minutes without progress, and difficulty in breathing are only some of the obvious times to call your veterinarian. Perhaps the best rule is, when in doubt, call!
All horse owners should know how to take their horse's temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, capillary refill time, and dehydration status. When these basic health parameters are abnormal for an unknown reason, a call to the veterinarian is warranted. When you have observed your animals over a period of time, you should promptly know when something is out of the ordinary!
Multiple animals getting sick at once should raise a red flag. Clinical signs in several animals could indicate such dangers as infectious diseases or a toxin in the horses' pasture, water, or feed. This warrants an immediate call to the veterinarian.
A good rule of thumb is, if a child were exhibiting the same symptoms as your horse, would you call the pediatrician? If your child had profuse diarrhea, chances are you're not going let him/her go untreated for a week without seeking a medical opinion. Proper treatment and diagnosis of a sick horse requires a veterinarian/patient interaction.
Diagnostic imaging includes: Digital Radiography, Dynamic Endoscopy, Ultrasonography, Video Endoscopy/Gastroscopy, Nuclear Scintigraphy
Sports & Ambulatory Medicine
equine sports medicine
Equine sports medicine has been one of the primary focuses of veterinary care offered since our clinic was founded. We offer a full complement of services, many of which have an impact on the performing equine athlete. State of the art imaging modalities available at the Equine Clinic of Saratoga today include digital ultrasound, wireless digital radiology, nuclear imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Arthroscopy performed both under general anesthesia and standing via needle scope to allow examination of joints along with endoscopy utilized to examine nasal passages, trachea and lungs both add to diagnostic capabilities.
Therapies which may be utilized based on diagnosis include shock wave, traditional intra-articular therapies, regenerative therapeutics (including IRAP, PRP, and stem cells), and integrative medicine techniques including chiropractic, acupuncture, and cold laser therapy.
The veterinarian’s goal with equine sports medicine is to be a part of the team along with the owner, trainer and farrier to help the horse achieve the owner’s objectives with the well-being of the horse as the common denominator for all therapies, from Grand Prix jumper to trail-riding horse.
Ambulatory Medicine: We will come to you.
Save yourself the time and effort and allow us to come to you to check on your horse.
Does your horse need care but you’re having difficulty finding the time to bring them in? The Equine Clinic of Saratoga can help with our wide range of equine ambulatory services.
Together as a team, we care for your horses directly at your farms, stables, and training facilities. Our field veterinary team has fully equipped ambulatory vehicles, with the latest in portable diagnostic and therapeutic tools such as portable cordless digital radiography (x-ray), ultrasound, both standing as well as dynamic exercise endoscopy, and shock wave, among others.
We also perform minor surgeries such as castrations, lacerations and other crucial procedures in the field. We’re here for you when you need us. Check out the list of services we can offer at your location.
DIAGNOSTICS
Lameness and Performance Evaluations Radiographic Examinations (X-ray)
Ultrasonographic Examinations
Standing Upper Airway Endoscopy
Dynamic (Exercise) Upper Airway Endoscopy
Lower Airway Disease Evaluation (Broncho Alveolar Lavage & Tracheal Wash)
Pre-Purchase Examinations
Wellness Examinations
Ophthalmic exams
TREATMENTS
Routine and Orthopedic Preventative Health Care and Management
Stem cell and other regenerative therapies
Regional Perfusions (lower limb) with antibiotics or stem cells
Mesotherapy
Shock Wave
Field castrations
Lacerations
Other Minor Surgical Procedures
Dental Care
OTHER SERVICES
Coggins (EIA) Test
Deworming
Health Certificates
Vaccinations
Euthanasia
Equine Dentistry
Professional equine dental care provided by a trained practitioner helps to keep your horse healthy and happy. Routine dental care can improve your horse's ability to eat their food and prevent abnormal tooth wear. In addition, horses that have bits placed in their mouths frequently benefit from dental care as well.
As a horse ages, it's teeth wear down. This is a normal process in the horse and is different than what we see in the teeth of small animals or people. Regular attention to your horse's teeth by a well trained and skilled dentist will help to preserve the function and health of your horse's teeth for the years to come.
Types of dental problems:
Fractures
Infections
Uneven wear
Tooth loss
Abnormal development
Special types of cancer
Dental services include:
Oral examinations, diagnosis and consultations
Advanced imaging including radiology, ultrasound, etc
Annual dental care for healthy horses
Odontoplasty (tooth shaping) to address abnormal tooth wear.
Periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment
Surgical and oral dental procedures
Performance oral exams including bit evaluations
Special geriatric dental care and management consultations
Equine Podiatry
Offering a unique service combining the experiences of Dr. Axel Sondhof and a partnering expert farrier.
Axel works with farriers to help horses with foot problems including laminitis, poor angles, poor conformation, lameness, and performance issues.
services include:
Consultations with farriers and veterinarians
Acute care (founder, tendon issues, foot lacerations, etc)
Specialty shoeing for chronic and ongoing lameness and performance problems
We work together with your farrier and provide advice and follow-up consults. This can be done at our hospital (next to the Skidmore riding stable) or stall site.
Call for more information and details about how this service may benefit your horse.