Dr. Ross Goodman, DVM
Dr. Emily Jansen, DVM,
Dr. Carina Cooper, DVM
Equine Newsletter
Summer 2013
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Carina Cooper to
Almonte Veterinary Services. Carina has recently
graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (Guelph)
and has a passion for equine medicine, including
lameness, reproduction and ophthalmology. She has
studied in world class equine hospitals in Germany, and
has spent 5 years under the guidance of veteran equine
racing and performance professionals in Southern
Ontario. Now she is with Almonte Veterinary Services
and ready to help your companions, friends and athletes
today. In addition to Dr. Carina, comprehensive
emergency services for our equine clientele are provided
by Dr. Emily Jansen whom many of you have met, and
Dr. Ross Goodman, who has been at Almonte Veterinary
Services since 1991.
We’re pleased to offer you a complimentary visit to
your stable by Dr.Carina to meet and greet you, as well
as assist you with plans for your horse’s ongoing health
Dr. Carina is able to provide your veterinary care in
French and German as well as in English.
What’s In This Month’s Newsletter:
· New staff news!
· Bug season and vaccine update
Stay tuned for the next edition!
It’s Bug Season!
Have you had your horses vaccinated this year? Experts are reporting record
numbers of mosquito, and other biting-bug days because of the wet weather this
summer. Mosquitoes bring a number of scary diseases to the Ottawa Valley every year,
from Heartworm in dogs and cats, to West Nile Virus and Encephalitis in horses!
Hours: Mon-Tues 8am - 5:30pm
Wed
8am – 8pm
Thu-Fri 8am - 5:30pm
Sat
8am - 1pm
Visit us at : almontevet.com
Or Facebook: facebook.com/almontevet
Dr. Ross Goodman, DVM
Dr. Emily Jansen, DVM,
Dr. Carina Cooper, DVM
You’ve heard the recommendations before: avoid grazing during dusk and dawn
to reduce bug exposure, use masks and bug blankets whenever possible, topical bug
repellents are best applied repeatedly throughout the day. While helpful in reducing the
risk of being challenged by the diseases mosquitoes carry, they don’t eliminate it.
Vaccines are our only protection.
We’re sure you have read about the many vaccines that every responsible horse
owner is supposed to provide, but what do they really do? What ARE they vaccinating
against?
West Nile Virus Vaccine: developed to reduce and avoid clinical signs, including
depression, weakness, muscle twitches, fever and recumbency.
Eastern/ Western Encephalitis Vaccine: reduces clinical disease, including
signs of “sleeping sickness”, head tilt, knuckling, depression, loss of appetite and fever)
What if we don’t vaccinate? Can’t we just treat the diseases as they arise?
Unfortunately, there are no antidotes and treatments are largely supportive, with many
horses that are affected having difficulty surviving the disease. The most dangerous of
these viruses, Eastern encephalitis virus, has a death rate as high as 75-100%, and
those who survive often have persistent neurological signs. Fatality rates for Western
encephalitis and West Nile viruses are 30-50% if contracted.
Other vaccines that are available include Influenza, Rhinitis and
Rhinopneumonitis, which are nasty lung viruses that are notorious at horse shows and
fall fairs, that leave your horse huffing and puffing, sniffling and snorting, and just feeling
lousy! These viruses are easily transmitted between horses by direct contact or by
touching communal surfaces. Rabies and tetanus are the last two “core” vaccines that
are recommended to all horses, because of the severity of disease and the high risk of
exposure. All horses should at least be vaccinated annually with both rabies and
tetanus vaccines.
Please contact us to talk to or meet with Dr. Cooper, and review your
vaccination protocol, or other horse health related concerns.
Hours: Mon-Tues 8am - 5:30pm
Wed
8am – 8pm
Thu-Fri 8am - 5:30pm
Sat
8am - 1pm
Visit us at : almontevet.com
Or Facebook: facebook.com/almontevet