medications

Getting the most out of your horse’s joint injections

Joint injections are all too common in today’s equine world and one of the main reasons why I opted to go to the opposite side and seek alternative options, as a veterinarian.  The most common reason for their use is joint disease, mainly arthritis, with the intent or purpose to alleviate pain and prolong or improve performance.  In many, their use is warranted while in others, not so much.  In either case, if we do decide to go that route, with an injection, we need to understand the pros, the cons and what options are before us to help extend the effects of those injections.  After all, they are not cheap and do not come without harm.

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Gas, bloating and GI upset in Dogs

Our canine companions are no different than you or I, or for that matter horses.  We all have a gastrointestinal tract that sometimes can get out of whack, not functioning at desired levels, resulting in gas, diarrhea, bloating and even intermittent vomiting at times.  It can be difficult to contend with, especially in the middle of the night or if your pet is left unattended by day while you work, coming home to a mess.  Why does this happen and is there something we can do or not do to improve the situation?

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Assisting the Geriatric Canine Patient

We all age, including our canine companions.  The goal is to age gracefully.  Quality of life is far more important than quantity of life, although both would be ideal, right?  Is it possible to improve not only quality but also longevity?  The answer to this is yes, but the right approach needs to be taken, making it more of a lifestyle than a passing fad or just a regimen. Our canine pets depend on us to make the right choices.  The more understanding we have, the more informed we are in the choices we make.

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NOSE BLEED EIPH horse

Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in the Horse

EIPH or exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage is unfortunately a common condition in equine athletes, affecting upwards of 40% of race horses and an estimated 62% of QH’s involved in racing, including other disciplines such as barrel racing.2  It is one of the main causes of decreased performance and also one of the more common respiratory problems found in competitive equine athletes, especially when involving epistaxis or nasal bleeding.  EIPH can be very frustrating for some trainers, due to the fact that a specific cause in each case is often not determined and response to therapies can decrease over time.  In many instances, the equine athletes are able to maintain higher levels of performance, while other are forced to retire.  As with many equine health conditions, with a better understanding, sometimes we can implement therapy options to improve the outcomes, helping to keep performance to a high level.

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