Keeping your horses healthy is what we do. It naturally follows from our love for these amazing animals. We aim to maintain the physical health of your horses through prevention. We keep track of your health records and provide you with reminders for what is best for your horses at the optimal time.
Del Oeste Equine Hospital is here to make this part of horse husbandry easy. Here are some of the most common areas of equine wellness care we provide to keep your horses in top physical condition.
Dentistry
Dental care is a vital part of horse health maintenance. Periodic “floating” of the teeth is performed to file off sharp points and to correct any abnormal wear that may be occurring. Dental equilibration (i.e., making things “equal”) balances the dental arcades to optimize chewing and performance. It also helps prevent the horse from choking on chunks of food, a potentially life-threatening emergency. We recommend at least annual floating and equilibration treatments. You’ll find more information on equine dental care in our blog.
Vaccination
Vaccination against infectious diseases is an essential component of any equine wellness program.
We’ll tailor an optimal vaccination program to fit your horse’s individual needs, whether your horse is a pleasure horse, a competitive athlete, in a boarding facility, a senior, or enjoying retirement. We’ll help establish the program and keep it up to date.
Important note: Horses concentrated in close quarters (such as boarding stables) or exposed to horses from other locations (such as at events) are frequently exposed to a variety of infectious diseases and especially need vaccination. One ill horse in a large facility can cause large financial harm if all horses are not vaccinated.
Learn more about our recommended vaccination schedules here.
Horses concentrated in pastures or riding facilities are also exposed to a variety of infectious diseases. Routine vaccinations help to prevent the bacterial and viral diseases that are common.
Recommended Vaccinations
Tetanus. Horses are very susceptible to tetanus — manure is a common source of the tetanus bacterium.
West Nile (WNV) and Eastern and Western Encephalitis viruses (EEE and EWE) — transmitted to horses by mosquitoes.
Flu and Rhino are common upper respiratory disease that result in fever and sometimes secondary bacterial infections.
Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system and causes abscesses and enlargement in lymph nodes in the throat.
Rabies is a preventable but fatal disease that can strike all mammals, including humans. Rabies is less common here in the northwest, but if your horse is headed to the South or East vaccination is essential.
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is an infectious disease transmitted by insects; it causes fever and diarrhea.
Deworming
All horses in the Willamette Valley should follow a strategic deworming program. Our wet conditions and mild winters provide an ideal environment for internal parasite development and infestation. Horses with access to crowded or shared pastures are especially susceptible.
Read more about deworming in our blog.
