Equine Wellness and Health
Ensuring the well-being of your equine companion is at the heart of Larch Veterinary Services.
Comprehensive Equine Wellness Care Tailored to Your Horse
Our devoted team at Larch Veterinary Services is committed to promoting and maintaining your horse’s optimal health through various essential services. Explore the meticulous precision and care interwoven into every facet of our equine wellness program. We prioritize your equine companion’s well-being with dedicated attention to preventive healthcare, strategic deworming, expert dentistry, and comprehensive insurance exams. Our commitment extends to specialized services such as Coggins testing, health certificates for stress-free travel, and new foal exams for a healthy start in life. Experience the assurance of a dedicated team, ensuring your horse receives the highest standard of wellness care.
Key Services We offer
Vaccinations
Larch Vet follows the vaccine guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Lifestyle, travel history, and competition schedule all affect the recommended vaccinations a horse should have. Did you know all horses should, at minimum, have a tetanus vaccine booster once a year? Horses outside the Okanagan should have Eastern and Western Encephalitis (EEE, WEE), and West Nile. Horses in contact with other horses (competition, rodeo, group trail rides) should always be vaccinated for the upper respiratory infections of flu (Equine Influenza) and Rhinopneumonitis (Equine Herpes). Give us a call to discuss what vaccines are suitable for your horse!
More information can be found:
Core Vaccination Guidelines
Dentistry
All horses should have a yearly sedated oral exam to evaluate for any dental problems. Horses commonly develop sharp points along their teeth, making chewing and performing under saddle uncomfortable. These sharp points are addressed by “floating” or filing the teeth to make a smooth, more comfortable surface. However, a yearly exam also allows the veterinarian to check for any cracked or broken teeth, developing gum disease, or other potential problems. Larch Vet offers state-of-the-art Power Dentistry, which allows quick and easy correction of most abnormalities, leading to a happier, healthier horse! Give us a call to book your annual exam!
Coggins Testing
Yearly Coggins testing is an important component of an equine wellness program. Coggins tests fo Equine Infectious Anemia. This test is required for horses traveling to the United States, and is often required for showing. Contact us to schedule your exam and bloodwork.
Minor Surgery
Deworming
Most horse owners know that deworming your horse is important. Did you know that the recommendations of how frequently to deworm your horses have changed over the years? We know deworming every 6 weeks leads to the worms developing resistance and there are some places in the world where our dewormers no longer work! To prevent this from happening on your farm, we recommend checking a fecal egg count yearly on your horse’s manure. Depending on the number of eggs noted, recommendations for deworming can be made. Most adult horses only need to be dewormed twice a year, in spring and after the first frost in the fall. Young stock (weanlings and yearlings) are different. Give us a call to book an appointment to discuss setting up the right deworming routine for your horses!
More information can be found:
Internal Parasite Control Guidelines
Insurance Exams
Health Certificates
New Foal Exams
Welcoming a new foal is exciting, and Larch Veterinary Services is here to provide specialized care. A new foal exam is recommended within 24 hours of birth. A blood test checks IgG levels, to ensure your new foal received adequate colostrum from the mare. We also check for any congenital problems like tendon contracture or laxity, cleft palates, and umbilical hernias. The hard working new mom also gets a check over too! Trust our experienced team to give your foal the best start in life.