We know how important routine care is to the well being of your horse. Establishing yourself and your horses with a regular veterinarian is crucial to your horses overall health for a few reasons. Once we know your horse's "normal" baseline it helps both owner and Doctor notice when health issues arise and ruling problems out faster. Being established also gives you the benefit of having access to Emergency daytime and after hours care.
Your horse’s full health picture can seem like a huge puzzle. An equine physical exam helps your veterinarian put together all of the pieces to determine what horse care services will help keep your horse healthy. Jacksonville Equine Associates of Jacksonville, FL lists what you need to know about the full physical exam.
When to Get a Full Equine Physical Exam
Wellness exams are important for many circumstances, including:
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The annual wellness exam
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A pre-purchase exam
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When a horse has come down with an easily diagnosed condition like infertility
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When a horse is showing a disturbing set of symptoms for seemingly no reason, such as being exhausted all of the time.
There are many parts to a full physical exam. Let’s look at some of them.
Going Over Your Horse’s Medical History
Usually, the first part of a horse’s physical exam is a close look at your horse’s medical history. You may be asked a lot of questions about your horse’s habits and behavior on a first visit.
Going Over Your Horse’s Vitals
These are the steps taken in most veterinary wellness exams. Our equine vet will take your horse’s pulse and temperature. Your vet listens to the heart, lungs, and four quadrants of your horse’s belly. Our vet looks closely in the mouth at the teeth and gums. Our vet may also shine a light in your horse’s eyes to test if the horse sees normally.
Doing Palpations and Closer Checks
Our vet will palpate several areas of your horse’s body, feeling for any abnormalities. We will also be checking for any signs of pain from your horse when touched in this manner. We will assess your horse’s legs, hooves, and lymph nodes.
Further Testing
Many horse owners choose this time to get a blood test. Based on your vet’s findings from the physical exam, more tests may be recommended. Hopefully, after all of this, your horse will not need emergency equine care services.
Your Local Equine Veterinarian
We service Glynn, Charlton, and Camden Counties in GA and the counties of Duval, Nassau, Baker, St. Johns, and Clay (32067, 32073, 32050, 32068, 32079, 32043). We service all equines (horses, donkeys, mules and ponies) as well as small ruminants (goats, sheep, alpacas and llamas).
Any animal we see as a patient must be halter broke or able to be restrained safely.
Please be aware we no longer service dogs, cats, or pigs.
