Preventative Care

Today horses live longer, healthier lives and preventative care contributes greatly to a happier life and a more active lifestyle.

Wellness Examinations

An annual wellness exam can identify certain risk factors, allowing us to intervene with treatment options which minimize the development of potentially life threatening diseases, thereby drastically improving your horse's quality of life. In addition to a thorough examination of every body system, specific blood tests can be recommended that will also provide insight into your horses overall health.

Vaccinations

Designing an appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse is an important step in ensuring the best possible protection for your horse. It is imperative to take into account the timing with which we vaccinate for certain infectious diseases to provide the greatest protection during seasons of greatest risk. Other factors to consider when scheduling vaccinations include your horse's age, physical health, environment and any upcoming travel plans.

At Gold Star we will work with you to customize your horse's vaccination schedule and give them the greatest protection. The American Association for Equine Pracitioners has defined certain vaccinations as "core" vaccinations:

• Tetanus: All horses are at risk of development of tetanus, an often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani which are present in the intestinal tract and feces of horses, other animals and humans, and are abundant as well as ubiquitiuos in soil. Tetanus is not a contagious disease but rather the result of C. tetani infection of punture wounds, open lacerations, and surigical incisions. Vaccination in most cases is recommended annually. Horses that sustain a wound or undergo surgery six or more months after their previous tetanus booster should be revaccinated immediately.
• Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: Transmitted by mosquitos and other bloodsucking insects, to horses from wild birds or rodents, which serve as the natural reservoirs for these viruses. The viruses attack the horses nervous system. Unfortunately, treatment is limited and the mortality rate is high. Vaccination is recommened annually and is usually given in combination with tetanus.
• West Nile Virus: Another disease with a natural reservoir in wild birds and transmitted to horses and humans by mosquitos. Clinical signs are similar to EEE/WEE. The case fatality rate for horses exhibiting clinical signs is approximately 33%. Although some horses can recover, residual affects such as gait and behavioral abnormalities can occur. Vaccination is recommended every 6 months or annually depending on the type of vaccine used.
• Rabies: An infrequently encountered neurologic disease of horses. While the incidence is low, the disease is invariably fatal and has considerable public health significance. Annual vaccination is recommened for all horses.

Additional vaccinations may be included in your horses vaccination program based on certain risk factors such as age, geographic region, and exposure due to travel or boarding conditions. Common additional vaccines include:

• Equine Influenza: One of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses. It is endemic in the equine population of the United States and most of the world. Clinical signs include: nasal discharge, fever, coughing, depression and anorexia. Vaccination is based on risk but can be administed every 3, 6 or 12 months.
• Equine Herpesvirus (Rhinopneumonitis): Equine Herpesvirus can infect a variety of body systems, most notably the respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems. The virus spreads via aerosolized secretions from infected coughing horses by direct or indirect contact with their nasal secretions or other infectious bodily fluids. Clinical signs include fever, anorexia, lethargy, nasal discharge and cough. Vaccination is recommended based on exposure but typically every 6 months with notable exceptions for pregnant mares.
• Stangles: Streptococcus equi equi is a highly contagious bacterium among horses. Strangles typically affects younger horses but horses of any age can be infected. Vaccination is recommended on premises where strangles is a persistant problem or for horses that are at high risk of exposure. Clinical signs include high fever (102°-106° F), enlarged lymph nodes and copious nasal discharge. Clinical signs develop within 2-4 weeks of exposure. Vaccination should not be expected to prevent disease but to lessen the severity of clinical signs. Currently, the intranasal vaccine is considered safer and more efficacious than the intramuscular vaccine. As with all vaccines there is a risk for vaccine reaction. Vaccination is every 6-12 months based on exposure.

Parasite Control

Current research is revolutionizing our approach to parasite control. Gone are the days where we deworm every horse every eight weeks without any clinical justification. Evidence has shown us that the approach taken for the past 40 years has left us in a state of antihelmentic (dewormer) resistance. Similar to how bacteria have become resistant to certain antibiotics, parasites are evolving to have resistance to the drugs we currently have available.

In order to avoid a situation where we have no effective medications left we must change our current way of thinking and take a more evidence-based medical approach. With this new way of thinking we can better understand why we are giving our horses these medications and use them more effectively to achieve the best possible health for our horses. Incorporating Fecal Egg Counts into parasite control programs allows us to more effectively target the horses that have the greatest parasite burden and minimize the use of dewormers in those horses with a low burden. By working together we can establish a parasite control program that is best for your horse.

A Fecal Egg Count (FEC) is a test run on a sample of fresh manure that gives an accurate estimate of the number of worm eggs in your horses sample. We collect a fresh sample of manure and send it to the lab. Results take 5-7 days normally. Once the results are obtained, we can develop a deworming protocol specific for your horse.

Nutritional Counseling

Your horses health can be greatly influenced by their nutrition. A complete nutritional assessment includes weight and body condition score (BCS) evaluation, feed assessment and nutritional recommendations. Specific blood work may also be recommended based on BCS and other pertinent physical exam findings.

Digital Coggins and Health Certificates

What is a "Coggins"? Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an infectious viral disease. Horses contract the infection primarily from blood sucking insects. Once infected, EIA can be fatal or horses can become subclinical carriers. Clinical signs vary but fever, anemia, weight loss and yellow mucous membrances can all present. The test used to diagnose this disease is a Coggins test. A negative result is required for crossing state lines, for health certificates and some states require it for competition events. California requires a negative test within 6 months preceding entry into the state.

Health certificates are legal documents signed by a veterinarian. The certificate requires a physical examination by the veterinarian verifying the horse was healthy at the time of the examination. In addition, a negative Coggins is required.

We offer digital copies of your Coggins and Health Certificates. Digital copies avoid any complications with illegible hand writing or confusing markings.

We can normally provide the necessary paperwork within a few days but it is recommended that you plan in advance when you know you will require documentation to ensure we can get you on your way without any delay.