Welcome to our Team

We believe in respect for all animals and the provision of personalized, caring service that is responsive to the needs of our clients. We strive for a hospital environment that is visionary, innovative, and dedicated to providing quality health services.

We encourage preventive medicine with consistent deworming and vaccination programs, progressive dental care, and professional consultations to address any concerns you may have. We also have information pamphlets available on a variety of subjects.

Emergency veterinary care is available 24/7 by calling 541-689-0205 and listening to the recorded instructions.

EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME

This disorder relates to an increased metabolic efficiency and obesity which develops in horses between the ages of 5-15. The biggest downside of Equine Metabolic Syndrome is laminitis or "founder." It is thought that insulin resistance is the part of EMS that predisposes horses to laminitis. Insulin resistance means that normal concentrations of insulin that should induce expected changes in specific tissues (example: facilitating uptake of glucose from the blood by muscle, liver, fat and other tissues) fail to cause those expected changes. The horse's pancreas then compensates by secreting higher and higher levels of insulin to cause the intended responses in body tissues. This excess insulin causes numerous negative health consequences.

Horses that are predisposed to EMS can often be described as "easy keepers." Commonly seen in ponies, Morgans and Pasos. Generalized obesity and regional fat deposits (for example "cresty neck") and laminitis are often clinical signs of EMS.

Diagnosing EMS can be challenging due to other similar endocrine disorders such as Cushing's and hypothyroidism. Ask your veterinarian about screening tests that can help determine your horses diagnosis.

Treatment for EMS varies and cannot just be cured. The three major ways to manage EMS include:

-Dietary Changes

-Regular Exercise

-Weight Loss

In some cases these three management approaches are not enough ask your veterinarian about other medications in extreme cases.

Nonsurgical Joint Therapies

AAEP FORUM, by: Richard Markell, DVM Official Veterinarian at four World Cup show jumping and dressage finals

It is such an exciting term for equine medicine. We are engaged in an era of true medical breakthroughs and are discovering revolutionary options for treating joint disease in both horses and humans. New imaging technologies, such as MRI, CT, digital ultrasound, and nuclear scinitgraphy, have helped us understand anatomy better and improved our ability to visualize joint injury and pathology. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Tips For Healthy Horses

Information by: Stephen Duren, PhD Equine Nutritionist

• Exercise stimulates gut motility which reduces risk of colic caused by impactions and gas.
• Feed quality hay. The coarser the stem the more difficult to digest.
• Offer free choice hay or divide hay into smaller feedings fed more often. Horses stomachs are designed for continuous grazing. They are constantly producing acid to digest their forage. When they quit eating the acid production slows but never stops. Protein and calcium can provide potential buffers for stomach acid. Research shows that alfalfa hay high in both protein and calcium can prevent stomach ulcers and is more efficient in small amounts than grass hay.
• Allow turnout when possible along with exercise.
• Oils are a great way to increase caloric intake with out increasing grain. Fat slows the rate at which the stomach empties which in turn helps acid levels stay under control.
• Corn oil is one of the more popular choices because it is inexpensive and palatable. Canola, Vegetable and Flax are also used to ad oil to the diet. Another substitute for carbohydrates (ie. grain) is beet pulp which also ads fiber.

Please consult with us if you have any questions regarding your horses health or nutrition.

________________________

WHAT'S NEW!!

We are now accepting Care Credit, a convenient monthly payment plan for all of your veterinary expenses.

*No interest payment plans

*Super easy to apply, either at Del Oeste, online or on the phone

www.carecredit.com

Things to know for August & September...

Horses that are at high risk (boarding facility etc.) should begin

FALL SHOTS:

Flu-Rhino

Potomac Horse Fever

Horses that are at low risk should also begin

FALL SHOTS:

Potomac Horse Fever

DEWORMING

Ivermectin for July and Panacur for September, CLICK HERE for an outline of the deworming program. Del Oeste Equine Hospital also suggests running a fecal parasite test.

Please call 541-689-0205 if you have any questions.

Potomac Horse Fever

Preventing Pigeon Fever

Summer Sores

Click below to understand areas of emphasis for body condition scoring and see a examples.

Body Condition Scoring Chart 1-4

Body Condition Scoring Chart 5-9

Normal Vitals for Horses

Temperature: 99.0-101.00

Pulse: 24-44

Respiration: 12-18

Gastric Ulcer Seminar

Dr. Camp and Dr. Knudson performing a gastroscopy.

Equine stomach ulcers from a local 9 yr old quarter horse gelding.

Bots in the stomach of a 5 yr old saddlebred gelding. Using ivermectin and or moxidectin will kill these nasty parasites.

Above pictures are from our seminar on Wednesday, June 16th. Dr. Knudson from San Diego revealed 9 of the 11 local horses had ulcers.

Stomach ulcers are quite common in horses:

Almost 60% of other performance horses have ulcers.

Up to 57% of foals have stomach ulcers, particularly during the first several months of life.

50% of horses with ulcers show no outward signs of gastrointestinal disease.

Up to 93% of racehorses get stomach ulcers, regardless of age.

Stomach ulcers in horses are increasingly recognized as a major problem in adult horses as well as foals. Even when there are no obvious signs of stomach ulcers, they can interfere with performance by affecting training, appetite, and temperament. Ulcers may naturally heal if horses are turned out to pasture for an extended period of time, but they usually don't heal in horses that continue training.

Click below to see treatment recommendations:

www.gastrogard.com

Click below to see prevention treatment:

www.ulcergard.com

We also carry G.U.T.

Natural, soothing ingredients stabilize the gut tissue by
• supporting healthy digestion
• helping maintain a healthy GI tract
• Maintaining proper gut flora
• Supporting normal digestive function
• Aiding the natural detoxification systems for optimal gut health and function

Horse Guard Vitamins

Horse Guard was one of the first equine supplements invented, the original formulation being created back in 1978. Since then, it has acquired an impressive list of firsts including the first equine supplement to contain biotin and the first supplement to feature Organic Selenium. We now carry Horse Guard!