Equine: Preventive

Question 1

How often should owners schedule for dental care?

Answer 1

yrly exam starts @ 2yrs for any retained deciduous molars and float
every 6mo if abnormal dentition, geriatric or previous tooth extraction

Question 2

In terms of vx’s, which ones are core? What ones for travels/shows? Endemic areas? Who gets boostered?

Answer 2

Adults eq’s and foals vx’d
Core = EEE/WEE?WNV/Tetanus/RABIES
Travel/Show - Strangles, Influenza, EHV-1, EHV-4
Endemic - Potomac Horse Fever, Equine viral arteritis
Booster mares 1 mo b4 foaling

Question 3

What is a fecal egg count? How often should it be done? What EPG rates and actions should be taken if they’re low, moderate and high shedders?

Answer 3

yrly
low shedders = 0-200 EPG (don’t wrm)
mod shedders = 200-500 EPG (retest 6mo, deworm if near immunocomp/vulnerable, deworm in fall after 1st frost)
High shed - >500 EPG (deworm)

Question 4

Why do we clean sheaths? What should we avoid?

Answer 4

avoid harsh cleaners that neg affect normal flora
main concern is cleaning the urethral fossa where smegma can accumulate into a “bea” which if large enough, may impair urination

Question 5

How often do you have farrier work? When do we need shoes?

Answer 5

trim every 6-8wks, trim for every horse, shoes for high performance, navicular syndrome and laminitis