Monday, February 22, 2021

Spring 2021 News and Notes

High Desert Veterinary Service 

 Chrysann Collatos VMD,PhD,DipACVIMLA 

 775-969-3495 (Office)           742-2823 (Cell)

HighDesertEquine.com        Building Healthy Partners

Spring 2021 News & Notes:

Ø Clinic Schedule

Ø The Foaling Process

Hey everyone, spring is around the corner and it’s time to look forward to new equestrian adventures.  Your spring clinic appointment is the perfect time to prepare for the great season ahead.  See you soon!

Dr. Chrysann

Spring Clinic Schedule

Routine Spring exams include  EWT, West Nile, flu/rhino and rabies vaccination plus deworming or fecal examination, dentistry consult and sheath cleaning.  To reserve an appointment, call 775 969 3495 with:

  • Your Name, Phone # and Clinic Date
  • Number of Animals, and Services requested.

We will return your call three days before your clinic with an estimated time of arrival at your address.  Please be sure horses are caught and haltered 30 minutes beforehand!

Location                                                    Date

Rancho Haven/Sierra Ranchos1          Fri Mar 19 

Rancho Haven/Sierra Ranchos2          Sat Mar 27

Red Rock North/Silver Knolls 1            Fri Mar 19

Red Rock North/Silver Knolls 2            Fri Mar 13

Span Springs/Palomino Valley 1          Sat Mar 13

Span Springs/Palomino Valley 2          Fri Mar 26

Antelope/Golden/Lemmon Valley 1   Sun Mar 14

Antelope/Golden/Lemmon Valley 2   Fri Mar 19   

South & West Reno                                 Fri Mar 12 

South & West Reno                                Sat Mar 20

Discounted prices ONLY AVAILABLE Clinic Day

Farm Call (per location)              $14.00

Wellness Exam (mandatory)     $19.00

West Nile                                        $34.00

FluRhino                                          $31.00

Rabies                                              $26.00

Tetanus/ Encephalitis                 $20.00

Ivermectin Deworm                    $18.00

Coggins Test                                 $34.00

Sheath Clean w/sedation           $45.00

Fecal parasite exam                    $19.00

Pre-registered microchip             $41.00

The Foaling Process


Most mares foal without difficulty, and are best left alone to foal unassisted as you watch from outside the stall.  Unfortunately, when things do go wrong it happens rapidly and often with life-threatening consequences to both mare and foal.  The best preparation for the abnormal is to know the normal. Here are the normal stages of labor, with notation when to CALL THE VET!

First Stage Labor

The mare has some control over first stage labor, and it can last intermittently for several days.  Signs include restlessness, circling, getting up and down frequently, but no obvious strong contractions.  If there is any doubt in your mind whether you are observing first stage labor or something abnormal,  don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian to discuss your observations.

Second Stage Labor

Second stage labor involves the actual delivery of the foal.  In the horse this is a very rapid event.  Once the mare is exhibiting strong contractions and her water has broken, the foal should be on the ground within 30 minutes.  In a normal delivery you will see two front feet, one slightly ahead of the other, followed by the foal’s nose, head and neck.  The mare may get up and down several times during second stage labor, and will appear quite distressed.  Some mares may deliver their foal standing.

If more than 20 minutes has passed after the onset of strong contractions and delivery is not complete, CALL THE VET.

Third Stage Labor

Third stage labor involves passage of the placenta.  During this period the foal will be struggling to rise, standing, and making attempts to nurse.  The mare may show signs of abdominal cramping (colic) as her uterus begins the rapid process of contracting to expel the placenta.  The placeta should be passed within two hours of the foal’s birth.  Save the placenta in a bucket covered with water so that it can be examined during the foal’s post-natal exam.

If the placenta is not passed within 2 hours of delivery, CALL THE VET.

The Newborn Foal

A normal newborn foal will attempt to roll up on his/her chest and shake his/her head almost immediately upon delivery.  Initial attempts to stand should begin within 10 minutes and the foal should be standing within 30 minutes and nursing within 2 hours.

If the foal is not standing within 30 minutes, or is not nursing within 2 hours, CALL THE VET.

The foal will pass black, grape-like clusters of manure (meconium) for the first 12 hours, then manure will transition to a soft pasty, orange manure.  The normal foal will nurse about once an hour, wander around a bit, then lie down and spend most of his/her time sleeping.

Your Post-Delivery Jobs

Assuming your foal is delivered without complication, you should dip the umbilical cord in dilute chlorhexidine or 2% iodine within 30 minutes of birth.  Do not cut or tie the umbilical cord, rather allow it to break on its own.  When the placenta passes, collect it and save it in a bucket.  Once the foal is up and nursing by 2 hours, give everyone a hug and a smile, and CALL THE VET to schedule your foal’s post-natal exam, which should happen when the foal is 18-24 hours old.  It is critical to confirm that your foal has consumed adequate colostrum (the mare’s first milk) which contains essential antibodies.  This will be confirmed during the post-natal exam with a stall-side blood test, and a full physical examination of the mare and foal, as well as placental evaluation will be performed.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR SPRING CLINIC APPOINTMENT.

775-969-3495

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