We were speaking to a client at a recent appointment about her Thanksgiving plans. We asked the normal questions: Are you traveling for Thanksgiving or cooking at home? Do you have a big family dinner? My client’s answer was humbling: her and her daughter volunteer on Thanksgiving Day at a local soup kitchen, feeding the needy and hungry of Connecticut. My client continued, that she felt it was important to instill in her teenage daughter that she is to give selflessly to those less fortunate.  She went on to say that if she did not instill this sense of service and obligation in her daughter, she would have failed as a mother.

We are trying to keep this client in our mind as Thanksgiving approaches. We have much to be thankful for: a successful business; wonderful clients who care deeply for their horses; family who support us zealously. We are blessed in our personal and professional lives. Because we have been blessed, it is even more important that we follow our client’s example and fulfill our obligation to those less fortunate.

The worsening US economy also informs this discussion of charity. The difficult economic landscape makes our client’s example an imperative, for those that are able — financially, psychological, physically. As our economy worsens, those that are most in need will become more so. Our collective need expands and it will take more of us to give and fill this need.

This year we have chosen Heifer International for our holiday charitable giving. Heifer International is an organization that’s mission is to end world hunger and poverty. We have chosen Heifer because of its focus on the developing world and because its agriculture focus relates in a small way to the agricultural nature of our daily work. You donate to Heifer by purchasing one of their many “products,” a cow, water buffalo, ducks, rabbits, and many more. We have bought a cow and a sheep.

We are asking our clients to also donate to Heifer, if they are able. Please go to our gift registry at www.heifer.org/myregistry/egglestonequine and donate by purchasing a cow, or a “share” of a cow, or whatever you can afford. There are donation items both large and small. When you donate, from now through Christmas, and you are a client of Eggleston Equine, we will discount the ambulatory farm call fee of your next appointment (up to half the value of your donation).

Aimee Eggleston & Tim Ahearn

With our new logo, we’ve also launched our new cafepress.com shop, where you can buy spiffy stuff (shirts, hats, totes) with the new logo. Click here to go to the shop now. Just in time for Christmas! Who wouldn’t love a t-shirt with our logo under the tree?!?

At a routine appointment 3 weeks ago, Johanna Johnston explained to me how her 7 year old Thoroughbred mare, Angel, could fetch sticks.  I didn’t believe it as I had never heard of such a thing, never mind witnessed it — to make sure it wasn’t some doctored “You Tube” video!

But today, I saw it with my own eyes.  Johanna threw out Angel’s stick and said, “Go Fetch.”  Angel walked out, picked it up gently between her teeth, and brought it directly back to Johanna. Angel held it for her until Johanna gently grasped it from her.  Amazing!  At one point Angel even dropped the stick in front of Johanna. Most dog owners can’t get their fetch in this way! And then Angel, per Johanna’s request, actually picked the stick back up to hand to Johanna!

Johanna threw the stick another time and this time Angel didn’t see exactly where the stick landed.  Much to my wondering eyes, Angel snaked and circled the paddock until she could smell/see the stick — just like a hunting bird dog would do.

I told Johanna that she should tape Angel in action and send it to the Ellen Degeneres Show. They will be famous!  Maybe I could be their agent . . .

We were at the appointment for about an hour and a half. Tulsa had been playing with our client’s lovely Yellow Lab, Lady. As we were packing up to leave and go to the next appointment, our client and her husband, realizing what had happened, came to tell us the news.

I receive compliments from clients that, after speaking to me in an emergency situation, I have made them feel better. When clients are frantic or consumed with concern for their horses, I remain calm and measured. I was on the other side of that coin now. My face fell not knowing exactly how serious D-con injections is for dogs, or the proper course of treatment. Tim and I jumped in the truck and drove as fast as we could to the nearest veterinary clinic. Tim hurriedly called our best friend, Chris, a small animal internist at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, MA.

Tulsa is fine. She actually was asking to play Frisbee that afternoon! Tim and I waggled our finger at her for the worry she caused us, and scolded her that she should look sicker! We are very grateful to Deb and Bob for their quick realization of what had happened to Tulsa. Time is important in these cases. We thank all Tulsa’s well wishers, especially Lady who sent a beautiful get well card for Tulsa. We thank our friend Chris, who comforted us and counseled us, calming me not as a veterinarian, but as a pet owner.

A client of mine sent me this great picture of their horse Cruise and their daughter Marie at the Big E. The picture is from last Fall. They look great together.

As you probably know gastric (stomach) ulcers are highly prevalent in horses. Studies have shown that over 60% of performance horses are afflicted with gastric ulcers. Rates for race horses are over 90%! Even horses involved only in typical pleasure activities can have concerning rates of gastric ulceration (between 40% and 70% depending on the study). If these numbers weren’t bad enough, studies have also shown that gastric ulceration can occur in as little as 3 days under certain circumstances.

The behavioral and clinical signs of gastric ulceration are varied. To name only a few, they include:

• Poor performance
• Back soreness
• Weight loss
• Colic
• Behavioral problems

Because gastric ulcers are so prevalent and because their effects can be pervasive and potentially severe, it is important to identify ulcers in our horses — and then treat them. The best way to diagnose ulcers is through gastroscopy, visualizing the stomach with an endoscope. Scoping a horse allows you to see the severity of the pathology of the stomach and to craft a treatment protocol targeted to that pathology.

Because some will be interested, and to reinforce that we should take gastric ulcers seriously, a few images from our new scope (showing ulceration):

Rest assured, the horses that these images came from are on their way to recovery.

• After a long day you check on your horse in his pasture before bringing him in for his evening feeding. As he walks into the barn you notice that he is slow, lethargic, and not excited to eat.
• As you call the horses in, you notice that one horse is limping severely on his left front leg. The horse’s leg is slightly warm, slightly swollen, and painful at the walk.
• When checking on the horses after their evening meal you notice that one horse did not eat his grain and is lying down in the stall.

I often get emergency calls from horse owners that fall into these relatively common scenarios. These scenarios may need veterinary attention and they should not necessarily be completely handled by the owner. You should call your veterinarian. But what should you do before you call the vet?

Anytime your horses is dull, lethargic, off his food, lying down or even ADR (”ain’t doin’ right”), take his rectal temperature. Your horse’s temperature is a vital piece of information and will help your vet understand what may be happening in your horse. A normal temperature is between 98.5°F and 100.5°F. Do not give oral Bute or Banamine before taking your horse’s temperature. Bute and Banamine will affect and/or mask your horse’s fever.

If your horse has a fever, take away his hay and grain. Your horse may not want hay and grain anyway, but some horses will continue to eat — depending on the severity of the fever and how long the fever has been going on. Your horse’s GI motility may be compromised and allowing your horse to continue to eat may lead to an impaction.

When presented with the above scenarios where the horse is lying down or lethargic, try to assess other basic parameters. When was the last time your horse passed manure? What does it look like? When did your horse last drink and was it a normal amount? Are there any other physical problems such as coughing, nasal discharge or swollen lymph nodes? If you are able to, assess your horse’s heart and respiratory rates.

In the scenario above where the horse has a painful leg, it is important to assess that limb. Is there any swelling and heat anywhere in the leg and hoof? Does the horse have a strong digital pulse (you may not know how to take this assessment)? Look at the bottom of the foot. Clean the bottom of the foot thoroughly and look for soft spots and holes that seem abnormal. Press firmly with your finger along the coronary band (where the hair and hoof meet) especially in the heel area. Is there any painful reaction that may indicate an abcess?

In all cases, do not be afraid to call your veterinarian. All veterinarians should appreciate an early “heads up” as to a potential emergency. Your veterinarian can also help you better assess the situation over the phone. And your veterinarian can respond quickly if your horse requires immediate attention. Don’t put off the call to your vet.

Dr. Richardson spoke to the members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) rewarding us with a rare glimpse into the details of caring for the world’s most loved and famous horse. The medical details were interesting, but more than the technical specifics of Barbaro’s care, I was moved by the compassion Dr. Richardson showed for his patient and for the Jacksons, almost a year after the end of Barbaro’s life. From listening to Dr. Richardson speak I am also moved by how, even in the face of so much media attention and so much scrutiny generally, the welfare of Barbaro was always first in every decision in his prolonged medical care.

Dr. Richardson is great example of my profession, a great representative of the AAEP, and a great horseman.

The Unwanted Horse Coalition is a broad alliance of equine organizations that have joined together under the American Horse Council (AHC) to educate the horse industry about the unwanted horse issue. The organization aims to educate owners, breeders, sellers and other organizations about the long term responsibility of owning and caring for hroses. Their focus is on helping horses before they become unwanted.

Visit the Unwanted Horse Coalition web site at www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org.