Wellness Care
Heat and humidity, wet summers, sandy soil and numerous biting insects cause a variety of issues in horses living in Florida. Wellness care is important to recognize problems early before they become major issues. We work with you to create a vaccination, deworming, and nutritional program to suit your horse's needs.
Annual wellness exams are recommended, as well as core vaccines and risk-based vaccines depending on your horse’s lifestyle. Deworming should be customized based on your horse’s fecal egg count, which we recommend yearly or more depending on parasite load. A yearly oral exam and dental floatation (if needed) is recommended on all adult horses, too.
It is recommended that horse owners become familiar with the normal parameters of their horses’ vital signs. Have your veterinarian show you how to take them properly and practice taking vital signs on a regular basis. Accustom yourself to the procedures, so you are prepared when faced with taking vitals in a possible emergency situation.
HORSE HEALTH INFO
Vaccination Schedules
Vaccines are a safe and effective means of protecting your horse from serious, life threatening illnesses. Vaccination schedules should be developed with your veterinarian and can vary due to exposure risk, health of animal, and geographical location. Florida is considered an endemic area for EEE/WEE and WNV, due to the presence of mosquitoes year round.
Contact us for a guideline on vaccination of adult horses that is based off recommendations by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and by our practice in the Tampa Bay area.