thevets@meadowsvets.co.uk

Equine Worming Vaccinations Insurance Operations   Most horses are seen at their yard or home, but we have the facilities to examine and treat horses at the Meadows Veterinary Centre.  We have two roomy loose boxes and a padded box for administration of general anaesthetics without risk of injury from surroundings. We can x-ray your horse at the surgery and be able to give you the results within minutes. Endoscopy and Ultrasound scanning are also available.    Pre-Purchase Examination   We advise a full 5 stage examination before purchasing a new horse which consists of :   Stage 1:  Examination in stable including: at rest heart & lungs; eyes; limbs; joints; feet and teeth   Stage 2:  Soundness at trot up on hard surface (possibly on lunge).   Stage 3:  Vigorous exercise while ridden.   Stage 4:  Rest for half an hour.   Stage 5:  Second trot up and examination.   This should show up problems in most horses. A blood sample is usually taken and stored in case the horse was on anti-inflammatory drugs at the time of examination.    Worming back to top    Advice can be given on individual worming programmes depending on numbers of horses, area of land available, etc. Dung samples can be checked for egg counts to monitor your program.    Vaccinations back to top    a -  Tetanus: All horses should be vaccinated against tetanus and have a booster every 2-3 years. We still see cases of tetanus regularly, most of which have not had a wound that the owners have known about. b -  Flu Vaccination: Equine Influenza can lay horses off work for up to 4 months or more. Even horses not competing regularly can contract flu and be unable to be ridden for a substantial time. An initial course of 3 vaccinations; the first two, 21-92 days apart, the third, 150-215 days later, is needed. Subsequent injections must be given annually. Competing horses must have boosters less than 365 days apart and unfortunately have to start the course again if you are late.    Insurance back to top    We strongly advise owners to consider taking out insurance for their horses and ponies to cover Vet Fees. Many of the illnesses and injuries we see can require expensive medicines or surgical treatment and if insurance is available, the best possible treatment can be given without concern over cost.    Operations back to top    Wound treatments, rig operations, tooth removal and other minor operations can be done here. We also have the facilities to hospitalise your horse should the need arise.