Are you in need of veterinary care for your large animal companions? Look no further than our expert team of large animal veterinarians! We provide top-notch medical care for large animals, such as:
Horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and llamas.
With years of experience under our belts, we have the knowledge and expertise to ensure your animals receive the proper care and attention they need to thrive.
Wellness and PreventionEquine routine comprehensive wellness care includes several assessments such as temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate checks, along with auscultation of the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, a vaccine and deworming protocol is developed for the animal. The veterinarian evaluates the horse’s health and checks for potential problems or concerns. If the horse’s weight is not optimal, the veterinarian may suggest a nutritional consultation, diet adjustments, or additional diagnostic tests. Annual wellness physical examinations are recommended for young and adult horses, and twice a year for geriatric animals over 20 years of age.
Proof of a negative Coggins test is required for horses traveling interstate and for some intrastate movement. Obtaining a Coggins test annually is imperative to reduce the risk of EIA transmission. As most carriers of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) are asymptomatic, testing can help identify carriers and prevent transmission to other horses.
VaccinationsAn essential aspect of maintaining your horse’s overall health is adhering to a vaccination protocol and regular blood tests. To ensure optimal protection, every horse should receive annual vaccinations against rabies, eastern and western equine encephalomyelitis, tetanus, and West Nile virus, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ guidelines. Foals require an initial booster, and vaccination intervals may differ.
Lithonia Animal Hospital can also recommend additional vaccines based on a horse’s risk factors and design an individual protocol accordingly. For example, many horses should also receive vaccinations against flu-rhino and strangles.
Coggins (EIA) TestingThe Coggins test is a blood test that detects Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a potentially fatal blood-borne disease that is non-contagious but primarily spread through biting insects such as horse and deer flies. EIA can also be transmitted through contaminated needles, syringes, surgical equipment, or infected blood transfusions. The symptoms of EIA can be nondescript, including fever, weight loss, lethargy, and anemia. There is no cure or vaccine for EIA, and infected animals must be kept at least 200 yards from non-infected animals until they test negative for EIA.
It is generally recommended to perform a Coggins test annually, and all horses transported across state lines must have a negative test within 12 months of movement. To obtain a health certificate, a horse must pass a veterinary exam for contagious diseases and have a current negative Coggins test.
Parasite ControlAn FEC (fecal egg count) is a quantitative technique used to identify various parasite eggs that may be present in the gastrointestinal tract. This method involves mixing a measured subsample of feces with a known volume of flotation solution, which is then examined microscopically. The test allows for calculating the type of eggs present per unit weight of feces (measured as eggs per gram or EPG).
While all equine can harbor some worms due to the self-perpetuating cycle of fecal contamination and pasture grazing, a high egg count based on FEC can indicate large numbers of infective stages on the pasture. This increases the likelihood of disease and a greater number of parasites in the horse’s system. Factors such as the horse’s age, immune status, time of year, age of the parasite population, and residual effects of recent deworming can all impact the results of FEC.
It is recommended to perform an FEC in the Spring and Fall to create an accurate, personalized deworming protocol for each horse. If a horse owner notices weight loss or diarrhea, it is important to contact Lithonia Animal Hospital as soon as possible for an examination.
Geriatric CareSpecial issues can develop in horses over 20 years old, affecting their weight and nutritional needs. Additionally, cataracts may cause disorientation, confusion, and walking issues, while reduced gastrointestinal motility can lead to problems with nutrient absorption.
It is recommended that geriatric horses receive at least two oral examinations per year and are monitored for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease, using a Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH) stimulation test. Other issues related to PPID should also be monitored.
PPID is the most common endocrine disorder in horses. It can cause various symptoms, including changes in hair coat, increased water intake and urination, lethargy, loss of muscle mass, pot-bellied appearance, chronic infections, hoof abscesses, excess or inappropriate sweating, infertility or lack of estrus cycles, and abnormal mammary gland function. If hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin in the blood) is involved, it can also predispose the horse to laminitis.
Our Veterinarian can adjust the horse’s exercise routine, diet, or follow-up care based on the results of the TRH test and any areas of concern.
Critical care services include but are not limited to treating colic, laceration repairs, euthanasia, labor, and delivery services. Conditions we commonly treat include (not limited to:)
• Colics
• Wounds and lacerations
• Severe acute laminitis
• Foaling problems and ill neonates
• Acutely painful or abnormal eyes
• Neurologic conditions
• Horses unable to rise
• Respiratory distress
• Feverish or generally ill horses
Diagnostic tools available:
• Digital radiographs – instant viewing of X-rays
• Digital ultrasound – beneficial for colics
• Certain blood tests
• Ophthalmoscope – for thorough eye exams
• Endoscopy – to visualize the nasal passages, throat, airways, esophagus, and stomach
SurgeryThe surgical services provided encompass both soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, ranging from routine to emergency cases. Critical care surgeries involve treating lacerations, wounds, fractures, and breakdown injuries. On the other hand, routine surgeries cover various types of procedures, such as laser treatments, neonatal surgeries, urogenital operations, abdominal surgeries, limb surgeries, wound repairs, tumor removals, upper respiratory/throat surgeries, and dental procedures, among others. Breeding services such as artificial insemination are offered.
DentistryDental issues such as broken teeth, periodontal disease, and irregular wear of dental arcade are frequently the root cause of a horse’s poor breeding or nursing performance or loss of condition. The typical indications of dental disease in horses are a decreased appetite or slow eating and an aversion to drinking cold water.
Dental examinations are important for the overall health of large animals. Odontoplasty is often referred to as “floating” the teeth. The goal of dental prophylaxis is to eliminate any sharp edges on the cheek teeth that could be irritating the soft tissue, as well as to correct any elongations on the occlusal surface.
Hours of Operation: M-F (9 AM – 1 PM) (2 PM – 6 PM) | Sat (8 AM – 1 PM) | Sun-Closed
