Equine Services
Lameness Evaluations
Lameness can be quite simply described as any alteration in the horse’s gait. When lameness occurs, your horse should be evaluated as soon as possible. Prompt assessment can save you time, money, frustration and potentially permanent loss of soundness. Our goal is to help you keep small problems from turning into big ones.
The lameness exam will begin by gathering your horse’s medical and farriery history and work/exercise routine through a series of questions, conversation and previous medical records. We will conduct a visual appraisal of your horse at rest and then evaluate conformation, balance and weight bearing, and look for any signs of injury or stress. A complete hands-on examination will be conducted in search of pain, heat or swelling of muscles, joints, bones and tendons. We will evaluate the movement of the horse at a walk and trot for a number of signs including head bobbing, switching leads, stiffness, shortening of the stride and poor performance. Joint flexion tests will illuminate any subtle signs of pain and irregular movement.
To ensure a quality and controlled environment we much prefer to work up any lameness and/or pre-purchase examination in the hospital. However, the initial work up may be done on the farm as long as a solid and level surface is available. Further diagnostics may include blocking joints and nerves with a local anesthetic to pinpoint the origin of the lameness. Once isolated, imaging with radiographs (x-rays) and/or ultrasound can help determine the actual problem causing the lameness. This knowledge allows us to design a specific recovery plan for each horse.
Neurologic Exams
Many neurologic diseases can cause a change in an animals' way of moving, seizures, or disorientation. We have specialty training to help us quickly locate and diagnose neurologic diseases. We can further evaluate neurologic status with additional diagnostic modalities such as radiographs and spinal taps.
Pre-purchase Evaluations
The pre-purchase evaluation enables us to gather and interpret the information necessary to assist you in selecting the horse best suited to your needs. In order for us to fairly evaluate the horse, the animal should be fit, conditioned and in training for its intended use. A horse that has been laid off for some time will be difficult to evaluate for lameness.
The first element of the pre-purchase exam is clinical. The horse’s eyes, heart, lungs, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems are evaluated. A lameness examination and flexion tests will follow (as described above). Further diagnostics may be recommended and should be scheduled in the hospital. Additional procedures may also be indicated such as radiographs, reproductive examinations, blood work, drug testing, etc. We look forward to helping you with the selection of your next horse. With the information that you gleen from this exam you will be prepared to make knowledgable decisions when purchasing a horse.
Equine Dentistry
Our practice is committed to providing progressive, high-quality dentistry for your horse. We believe regular, quality dental care is a vital part of your horse's overall health program, and a key element in his comfort, wellness, performance and longevity. All of our equine veterinarians are equipped and trained in the use of motorized and hand- powered dental instruments. The use of sedation and full-mouth speculums to perform comprehensive oral exams allows our veterinarians to accurately assess and treat the dental needs of your horse with his comfort and safety in mind. Updates in equipment and continuing education allow our practice to stay abreast of rapidly developing advancements in modern equine dentistry.
With regular maintenance your horse will be more comfortable, will utilize feed more efficiently, may perform better and might even live longer. Many horses with dental problems will exhibit weight loss, abnormal chewing, dropping of feed or head shaking.
Changes in behavior and performance problems are not unusual. Some will simply adapt to the pain or discomfort and show no sign at all. We recommend that a dental exam be performed each year for the mature horse and every 6 months for growing horses and seniors. In addition to routine and performance dentistry, we are able to offer advanced dental services such as repair, restorations and extractions.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used in veterinary practice in China for at least 3000 years.
Today, it is used all over the world by itself or in conjunction with western medicine to treat a variety of maladies in every species of domestic animal. Acupuncture is indicated for functional problems such as paralysis, allergies and certain types of pain such as arthritis. Respiratory problems and some reproductive problems may also be treated successfully with acupuncture.
Acupuncture is known to stimulate nerves, increase blood circulation and relieve muscle spasm. It is even known to cause the release of hormones such as endorphins and cortisol.
Preventative Care
Promoting the well being of our patients through the prevention of illness and injury is a major focus of our practice. A preventative health plan expertly designed to fit your horse’s lifestyle and risk factors can better protect him than a mass marketed, one size fits all approach, and save you from spending money on unnecessary products.
Our veterinarians regularly review the available vaccines and dewormers, and consult with leading experts to select those products that are the safest and most effective. Saving a few bucks by using a vaccine with outdated strains or unacceptable risk is false economy, so price never outweighs safety and efficacy when selecting those products to use for your animal.
The administration of appropriate and high-quality vaccinations is just a part of our semi-annual veterinary visits. A general physical checkup can help identify minor problems early in the course of disease. Weight issues and nutritional concerns, as well as general health care questions can be addressed during the face-to-face consultation with the veterinarian.
Ambulatory
Our veterinarians travel with equipment to handle nearly every situation on the farm, including portable x-ray and ultrasound machines.
Reproductive Management
Our practice offers comprehensive reproductive management
for your mare including artificial insemination with both fresh cooled and frozen semen. We also offer stallion semen collection, training to collect from the phantom or teaser mare, as well as semen evaluation, cooled fresh shipping and freezing.
Diagnostics
Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital has a full laboratory and can run in-house blood work, abdominal taps and semen evaluations for immediate results. We also work closely with a large laboratory and board certified clinical pathologists.
Hospitalized Care
Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital was designed as a comprehensive surgical and medical center. We have the staff available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to provide the highest level of hospitalization. Whether it is a mare to be monitored for breeding or a foal in intensive care, our staff and veterinarians are prepared to assist the horse, camelid and small ruminant owners of Western Washington.
We have two stalls equipped with closed circuit camera monitoring for on-site staff. There are 6 other stalls for less intensive cases. Our outdoor stalls with runs are a less stressful environment for mares/stallions in for reproductive management. This hospital was designed with our clients and patients in mind from the easy trailer turnaround and parking to specially designed stocks and padded surgical recovery room.
Surgery
Our practice employs many specialists including a board certified equine surgeon. We offer a variety of equine surgeries including arthroscopy, laparoscopy, soft tissue and reproductive. Referrals are accepted.
Companion Animal Services
Preventative Care
All aspects of preventative care and wellness management available, including routine exams, vaccinations, flea and internal parasite control, spays/neuters, microchip implantation and nutrition consults.
Laboratory
On-site diagnostic lab for blood panels, urinalysis, fecal parasite exams, ear and skin infection tests and pre-anesthesia profiles. More advanced testing is usually sent to a local lab for more rapid results.
Surgery
General surgery done with advanced anesthesia support and monitoring during all procedures. More advanced orthopedic and specialty surgery available on site by a consulting board certified specialist in small animal surgery.
X-Rays
An excellent radiology department with x-ray interpretation by board certified radiologist available.
Dentistry
Thorough dental cleaning, oral pain and infection control, and bad breath management available.
Hospital Care
Full inpatient medical care, fluid therapy and post surgical care available.
Emergency Care
For advanced care and monitoring overnight, a fully equipped emergency clinic is only a few blocks away. The emergency clinic # is 360-848-5911.
The small animal department offers a wide variety of services for dogs and cats, including:
ROUTINE WELLNESS CARE
- Exams/consults
- Free shelter exams within 2 weeks of adoption (shelter certificate required)
- Vaccines, including the new 3-year protocol
- Vaccine antibody titers, an alternative to some vaccine boosters
- Microchip placement, a permanent identification to help return a lost pet
- Preventative deworming specific for your pet’s risk and lifestyle
- Flea, tick, and ear mite control that works
- Heartworm prevention for pets that travel outside western Washington
- Diet/nutritional consults to maximize health, tailored to your individual pet
- Spays/neuters
- Screening tests on blood and urine to detect internal disease before symptoms start. Early detection makes treatment more successful.
- Dental cleaning, since healthy teeth can lengthen your pet’s lifespan
CARE FOR SICK PETS
- Exam/consults with extended appointments
- Second opinions
- Inpatient and outpatient medical care
- Soft tissue surgery
- In-hospital laboratory testing (for quicker diagnosis and treatment), plus regional advanced laboratory support
- In-hospital x-rays, with local board-certified radiologist interpretation
- In-hospital pharmacy
- Specialty and prescription diets, for quicker return to health
- Referral available for advanced diagnostic procedures, including ultrasounds, echocardiograms, endoscopic exams, CT scans, and MRI.
- When needed, referral to board-certified specialists. These are local veterinarians offering advanced care in the areas of:
- cardiology (heart), 24-hour critical care/ICU, dentistry (complex tooth issues), dermatology (skin, allergies), emergency medicine, endocrinology
- (glandular problems, diabetes, and I-131 treatment for feline hyperthyroidism), internal medicine (internal organs), neurology (brain, spine, nerves), oncology (cancer), ophthalmology (eyes), orthopedics (bones and joints), physical therapy/rehabilitation, radiology, or surgery.
- Exams/consults/rechecks
- Second opinions
- Medical monitoring for long-term health
- Fine-tuning of medications to minimize side effects
- Prescriptions diets to help manage many medical conditions
- Common chronic medical conditions include arthritis, allergies, back pain, diabetes, recurrent ear infections, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, poor bladder control, pancreatitis, obesity, thyroid problems, seizures, skin problems, and many others.
CARE FOR PETS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
- Senior wellness support
- Arthritis management
- Chronic or acute pain control
- Weight loss support
- Acupuncture
FOR SMALL ANIMAL EMERGENCY CARE
(after hours, weekends, holidays), contact:
PET EMERGENCY CENTER
(360) 848-5911
Located just 2 miles east of us at Memorial Highway and Avon-Allen Road in Mount Vernon