Travel Packs of 6 tubes of ULCERGUARD are available at LBEMC. Download this coupon and redeem it with the bar code on a purchased six pack. Research has shown that equine gastric ulcers can develop in 5 days or less. Travel and competition are stresses that can predispose a horse to ulcers. ULCERGUARD is designed to be used during travel and showing to prevent equine gastric ulcers.

New parasitology research suggests that most of us are over-deworming our horses! The rotational deworming schedules that veterinarians have been recommending for years are actually based on science that is over 40 years old. 20% of the equine population actually carries 80% of all parasites! Attend our client education seminar to learn more about these new advances in equine preventative healthcare and how we can design a strategic, less expensive, and more sustainable deworming plan for your horses!

LBEMC is featured in the June 2010 edition of Sacramento Magazine on page 95. The profile includes a picture of the doctor staff and a synopsis of our services. Check it out!

There is a relatively new kind of hay that has been a hot topic. Teff hay is a type of grass hay that has been grown for thousands of years in Ethiopia. Recently it has been grown in the United States and sold for large animal feed. It is often recommended for horses with laminitis and/or insulin resistance due to its low level of non-structural carbohydrates. Teff hay is palatable to most horses and has similar protein levels to timothy hay. As with all hays, the exact nutritional information varies depending upon where and when the hay was grown. Please call or e-mail us with any questions about this feed.

Pergolide is a medication that is used to treat Cushing’s disease in horses. The form commonly available to horse owners is compounded (made into solution from a powder). A recent study has shown that temperature and light exposure decrease its stability and efficacy. We now recommend you refrigerate Pergolide and make sure that it is stored in a light protective container. The study showed that if properly stored, Pergolide is stable for up to 60 days. It is ideal to buy a 30 day supply (as opposed to a 60-90 day supply) at a time. If you have any questions or are concerned that your horse may need this medication, please give us a call.

Does your horse suffer from episodes of “tying-up” where the muscles become swollen and/or stiff? There is a new test available for a genetic condition that can predispose certain horses to this problem. While it is more common in Quarter Horses or Draft breeds, other horses can be affected as well. If you have specific questions about your horse’s condition, please call us and we can talk with you about the different tests available. There are some new treatment options as well.

Influenza is one of the most contagious diseases and can easily be transmitted to other horses by coughing or direct contact with another horse.  There has been a recent outbreak of confirmed equine influenza in the Red Bluff and Cottonwood area of California that has claimed the lives of 3 horses.  If your horse begins coughing or has a fever, please give us a call immediately. Vaccination is recommend to protect any horses that may be exposed or at risk. If your horse has not been vaccinated recently, a booster may be needed as the protection of the vaccine can decrease over a few months.

The last 4 months has seen a surge of horses with pigeon fever infections in central California. Unlike recent years, the cases appear to be more severe and the horses are taking longer to recover. Signs of pigeon fever abscesses include swellings on the chest, abdomen, and a variety of other locations. In some horses, the infection spreads internally (liver, lungs, etc.). These horses can have fevers and weight loss. If you have a horse with sudden weight loss and/or persistent fevers, please give us a call to discuss ways to diagnose this problem. There are some simple and easy blood tests that can provide a lot of information.