Totally Vets Equine

The competition season will be here before we know it! Find below our potential health issues, tasks to consider and reminders for the coming months.

🐴 As we approach foaling season, check that broodmares are in good condition and up to date with their pre-foaling vaccinations.

💉 It’s good to check your horse’s selenium status. This is important for the immune system and growth and development in young animals.

🐎 As we approach competition season, reassess the supplements that your horse is on especially regarding joint heath.

🪱 Drench resistance is emerging as a serious issue in horses. A faecal egg count (FEC) pre drenching can tell you if you horse needs drenching and a FEC 10 days after drenching will ensure that your drench is working.

Wishing everyone's horses a Happy Birthday today! 🤩🥳

August 1st marks the universal birthday for our southern hemisphere horses.

So how old did your horse turn today? Share a pic of them in the comments below. 💙

Pictured is the very cheeky Linx who turns 10 today 🎂

Our Monday was made a whole lot better after receiving these delicious treats from our lovely client Sarah King 🥰

Winter is officially amongst us! Find below our potential health issues, tasks to consider and reminders for the coming months.

🦷 Teeth - Now is a great time to book in and have teeth done while they are out of work over winter.
🌾Feed – Ensure they have a good quality hay that is mould and dust free. If you have difficulty maintaining your horse’s weight during winter, you may need to increase the fat component in their diet. Please phone the clinic to discuss a suitable feed plan with one of our equine vets.
🌧️ Wet weather – Check for foot abscesses and act quickly if detected. Wet conditions can also result in skin infections/irritations so, again, seek help sooner rather than later as, if caught early, most conditions can be easily treated.
🧐 Out-of-sight ensure is not out-of-mind! Monitor turned out horses regularly. Check for cover rubs, make sure they’re not too warm (sweating) and keep an eye on body condition.

PPID (Cushing’s disease) – get your horse tested for FREE! 🤩🐴

We have a limited number of vouchers available to have your horse ACTH tested for free; get in quick before they all go.

Autumn is the best time of the year to test for PPID as ACTH levels peak at the autumn equinox. As day length decreases, ACTH levels increase. When using seasonally adjusted reference values for ACTH, our diagnostic accuracy increases up to 95%.

🔹 If you suspect your horse has PPID – seize the chance and test now!
🔹 If your horse has been previously tested and you were told that their results were in the grey zone – now is the time to test again.
🔹 If your horse is on medication for PPID – now is the time to retest to ensure the ACTH levels are controlled.

Horses that are not yet under treatment for PPID, will qualify for a free ACTH test (only while vouchers last).

As always, our equine team is happy to discuss any questions you may have. Give us a call on 06 356 5011 for more information or to make an appointment. 💙

🔗https://totallyvets.co.nz/ppid/

Last couple of days to enter our Gastroscopy giveaway! Simply like and tag a friend in the original post and you’re in the draw to win.

We do still have a few spots available if you would like to book your horse in before the giveaway is drawn.

Winner will be randomly drawn on April 12th and contacted directly. 💙🐴

We are back with another Gastroscopy Clinic Day on the 23rd of April. 🐴

Like last time we also have another chance to WIN a FREE gastroscopy examination for your horse, simply like and tag a friend in this post and you’re in the draw to win.

Gastroscopy is the only way to accurately diagnose gastric ulcers in horses. Gastroscopies will be offered at a reduced price and will be preformed at our Awapuni clinic on Tuesday 23rd April. Horses will need to be fasted overnight so access to a stable or yard is required.

Take advantage of this great opportunity! For further questions or to book your horse in, give us a call on 06 356 5011.

Winner will be randomly drawn on April 12th and contacted directly.

We are back with another Gastroscopy Clinic Day on the 23rd of April. 🐴

Like last time we also have another chance to WIN a FREE gastroscopy examination for your horse, simply like and tag a friend in this post and you’re in the draw to win.

Gastroscopy is the only way to accurately diagnose gastric ulcers in horses. Gastroscopies will be offered at a reduced price and will be preformed at our Awapuni clinic on Tuesday 23rd April. Horses will need to be fasted overnight so access to a stable or yard is required.

Take advantage of this great opportunity! For further questions or to book your horse in, give us a call on 06 356 5011.

Winner will be randomly drawn on April 12th and contacted directly.

Let's talk Laminitis 🐎

Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae. The laminae is an interlocking, finger-like structure that suspends the pedal bone inside the hoof capsule. When this structure is inflamed and fails to support the pedal bone, the weight of the horse causes the pedal bone to be pushed down into the sole of the hoof. This pressure can often be seen as bruising on the sole of the hoof and in severe, chronic cases can begin to poke out of the sole.

Clinical signs include:
- Bounding digital pulses
- Hot hoof walls
- Leaning back on hunches
- Lameness in front
- Often associated with overweight ponies
- Can occur in any horse
- Difficult for farrier in front, particularly when tapping in nails
- Extreme/excessive hoof growth in short amount of time

In New Zealand, our most common cause of laminitis is due to carbohydrate overload usually from grass. During peak pasture growth times like spring and autumn, one of the reason horses tend to get more reactive or difficult is usually due to the sugar high/excess energy they have ingested in the pasture. The same sugar in the grass that turns some horses into fire-breathing dragons is the same culprit for causing high risk horses to “founder” or become laminitic.

Laminitis is a crippling condition most often seen in older, overweight ponies in Spring and Autumn but can occur in any horse. Once the laminae is damaged, the likelihood becoming laminitic again (aka Foundering), will be higher than prior to first founder.

Careful management is your best preventative and treatment of these affected or high-risk horses. If your horse has suffered from laminitis in the past or is prone to laminitis...

We are now stocking MetaboLize by Poseidon Equine, this is a great supplement for aiding in sugar metabolism in combination with dietary and environmental management. Contact us for more information about this great product.

We have now confirmed the Gastroscope day for 23rd April please contact the clinic to book 06 3565011 please share

URGENTLY NEEDED - FOSTER MARE please contact Totally Vets Awapuni 06 3565011 please share

We are urgently looking for another foster mare for a foal, can everyone spread the word. Contact Totally Vets Palmerston North 06 3565011

Top Tips for Managing Gastric Ulcers

Management changes are imperative for successful treatment & prevention of gastric ulcers.

Please read the full article here: https://totallyvets.co.nz/tips-for-managing-gastric-ulcers-in-horses/

Don't hesitate to give us a call on 06 356 5011 if you have any concerns 💙

Spaces have filled up extremely fast for our Dental Special $130! We are full from the 11th -15th December but we still have spaces available from the 30th November - 7th December. So get in quick and give your horse an early Christmas present. Call 06 3565011 to book. 🦄🦄🦄

Hi, Vets on Riverbank (Otaki) are needing a Foster mare urgently, so please share post or call 06 3646942

Thinking about what to gift your horse for Christmas? Book a Dental with Dr Elsa before 15th December 2023 and get it at a special price of $130 per horse (limited time and spaces available). Make an appointment with the clinic 06 3565011 Ts & Cs apply!

THANK YOU everyone we have a couple of options! Urgently needing a foster mum for a 5day old foal please contact Totally Vets 06 3565011

Urgently needed foster mare please contact Totally Vets Awapuni 06 3565011

We still have spaces available in our upcoming Gastroscopy Clinic Day! 🐴

Also, don't forget to LIKE and TAG three friends in the original post for your chance to WIN a FREE gastroscope examination. 💙

Gastroscopy Clinic Day – November 21st 🐴

Like and tag three friends in this post and be in to WIN* a FREE gastroscope examination for your horse!

Together with Randlab we are pleased to be able to offer your horses another gastroscopy day.

Gastroscopy is the only way to accurately diagnose gastric ulcers in horses. Gastroscopies will be offered at a reduced price and will be performed at our Awapuni clinic on Tuesday, 21 November. Horses will need to be fasted overnight so access to a stable or yard is required.

Gastric ulcers are more common than you may realise, over half of our performance horses and even up to 95% of racehorses may have gastric ulcers. Signs can go unnoticed and will vary between horses, with common signs ranging from weight loss, girthiness, behavioural changes, poor performance and/or poor appetite. For more information, click here https://totallyvets.co.nz/stomach-ulcers/

Take advantage of this great opportunity! For further questions or to book your horse in, give us a call on 06 356 5011

*winner will be randomly drawn on October 31st and contacted directly.

Gastroscopy Clinic Day – November 21st 🐴

Like and tag three friends in this post and be in to WIN* a FREE gastroscope examination for your horse!

Together with Randlab we are pleased to be able to offer your horses another gastroscopy day.

Gastroscopy is the only way to accurately diagnose gastric ulcers in horses. Gastroscopies will be offered at a reduced price and will be performed at our Awapuni clinic on Tuesday, 21 November. Horses will need to be fasted overnight so access to a stable or yard is required.

Gastric ulcers are more common than you may realise, over half of our performance horses and even up to 95% of racehorses may have gastric ulcers. Signs can go unnoticed and will vary between horses, with common signs ranging from weight loss, girthiness, behavioural changes, poor performance and/or poor appetite. For more information, click here https://totallyvets.co.nz/stomach-ulcers/

Take advantage of this great opportunity! For further questions or to book your horse in, give us a call on 06 356 5011

*winner will be randomly drawn on October 31st and contacted directly.

FREE joint supplement upgrade!

During the months of September and October you can trial PENTOSAN GOLD for the same price per dose as PENTOSAN EQUINE.

Take advantage of this great offer, PENTOSAN GOLD delivers faster action with superior effects in joint repair and protection.

If you would like to find out more, give us a call on 06 356 5011.

Happy birthday to all our horses! 🎁🐴

August 1st marks the universal birthday for our southern hemisphere horses.

So how old did your horse turn today? Share a pic of them in the comments below. 💙

Client highlight: Jump Start Thoroughbred Retraining

Our team has the pleasure of regularly working with Dana and the team from Jump Start. Jump Start is an acknowledged TB retraining facility and has gained their ‘Acknowledged’ status based on being held in high regard within the industry, as well as for their skill and track record in successfully retraining and rehoming Thoroughbreds.

Each horse that comes through Jump Start are expertly introduced to sport horse life, with the team going above and beyond to ensure these horses have every opportunity to succeed post-racing. Our vets examine each horse that comes through the program, providing hoof balancing, gastroscopy, dental examinations, and lameness examinations wherever necessary.

We love being part of the process and seeing these wonderful horses go on to become successful sport horses; the thoroughbred really is the most versatile breed. 💙🧡

Case Study: Horse not eating anymore?!

This pony suddenly lost a lot of weight and completely stopped eating one day. As this can be life-threatening for a horse, we started our examination the same day.

After we ensured the pony was fit and healthy, we checked the teeth and found the reason for his weight loss and why he had stopped eating. As a result of this pony's enormous teeth, he simply couldn't move his jaw to eat.

What to look for in these before-and-after photos:
• The first upper molars are too long
• Few teeth have worn away entirely
• Substantial hooks are poking into the cheek, causing trauma
• For the real experts amongst us: count how many teeth this pony has

Fortunately, wounds in the mouth heal very quickly, and in another 6 months, we will reassess the teeth and reduce them a bit more, but you can already see a huge improvement in this pony.

Every horse, big or small, requires regular dental treatments; this can make a massive difference to the well-being of your horse.

Our equine team are always happy to discuss any questions you may have. Give us a call on 06 356 5011 for more information or to make an appointment.

Introducing Elsa 💙🧡

As many of you know, our wonderful equine vet Amarins is on maternity leave. We are pleased to announce Amarins and Walter have welcomed their beautiful baby boy Epke Nathan Schutjens into their family.

We are delighted to have Elsa join our equine team, covering Amarins maternity leave. Elsa grew up surrounded by horses, so the call to study veterinary medicine was an obvious choice. Elsa graduated from the University of Ghent in Belgium, and after several years working as an equine veterinarian in the Netherlands, she left the lowlands for beautiful New Zealand. Within equine medicine, Elsa has a great passion for dentistry, and she emphasises preventive care.

EDIT: All vouchers have now been claimed!

Cushing's Disease – get your horse tested for FREE! 🤩🐴

From now until June 16th, we have a limited number of vouchers available (only six left!) to have your horse tested for Cushing’s disease for free; you'll have to get in quick before we run out.

Cushing’s disease has multiple symptoms that can be remedied by timely detection of the disease and treating your horse with a pill.

If you recognise one or more symptoms below, we recommend getting a test done.
• Frequent laminitis
• Coat: bad shedding, long hair on legs and belly
• Body: muscle loosing weight despite good appetite
• Drinking and urinating a lot
• Abnormal fat deposits: particularly above the eyes, around the base of the tail and mane crest
• Lethargy, not fit
• Impaired immune system: chronic infections and slow wound healing
• Impaired vision/blindness/bad healing eye ulcers
• Decreased fertility
• Tendon problems

If your horse is not yet under treatment for Cushing’s disease, they will qualify for a free blood test (only while vouchers last). If your horse is already being treated with Prascend, then we also recommend doing their annual check-up now to ensure your horse is receiving the correct dosage.

As always, our equine team is happy to discuss any questions you may have. Give us a call on 06 356 5011 for more information or to make an appointment.

Happy World Veterinary Day!! 💙🧡

We want to acknowledge our equine vets for their ongoing dedication and care to the profession. These superheroes are selfless, caring, and compassionate individuals who will stop at nothing to ensure your horses are happy and healthy.

Please join us in celebrating World Vet Day by leaving a message of appreciation for our vets in the comments below.

We love hearing client success stories! OTTB client Sunny Boy with owner Charlotte and vet Philly.

Sunny Boy is a successful off-the-track thoroughbred thriving in his second career as a show jumper. He was recently awarded Best Performed Ties Jumping Horse at the Glistening Waters Series Final, gaining the most jumping points of all Tbs.

It is great to witness the versatility of OTTBs switching from racehorses to competitive sport horses. Huge congratulations to Charlotte Sowry Equestrian for the fantastic result!

It is really rewarding seeing our clients and patients out and about doing amazing! 💙🧡

Our equine veterinarians are still encountering an outdated or old fashion protocol of deworming. Where horses are wormed based on timing eg every 6 weeks or the first of every month etc.
This strategy of deworming was based on a different type of worm that was more common in the horse population years ago.

These protocols are often a waste of money and significantly contribute to the developing drug resistances present in the parasites of horses. For example, when Moxidectin was first introduced as a dewormer, the product lasted up to 22 weeks. This can now be as short as 4 weeks on farms with emerging resistance! This means that over time, we are running out of drugs that can effectively control parasites, which will have a significant health impact on horses.

We strongly encourage you to use faecal egg counts to set up a targeted deworming plan for your property. Your vet can help tailor a worming program for your horse as well as monitor the efficiency of your dewormer.

We hope you are all well-rested after the long weekend; this handsome man certainly was after his dental 😆💙

Edit: NOW FULLY BOOKED - new bookings will be put on a waitlist.

Gastroscopy Clinic Day – 1st March 🐴

Together with Randlab we are pleased to be able to offer your horses another gastroscopy day.

Gastroscopy is the only way to accurately diagnose gastric ulcers in horses. Gastroscopies will be offered at a reduced price and will be preformed at our Awapuni clinic on Wednesday, 1 March.

Gastric ulcers are more common than you may realise, over half of our performance horses and even up to 95% of racehorses may have gastric ulcers. Signs can go unnoticed, but horses can also show a variety of signs ranging from weight loss, girthiness, behavioral changes, poor performance and/or poor appetite. For more information about gastric ulcers, click here 🔗https://www.totallyvets.co.nz/portfolio,portfolio,,1177,Stomach+ulcers.html

Take advantage of this great opportunity! For further questions or to book your horse in, give us a call on 06 356 5011