Mt. Laramie Veterinary Services

11/20/2025

Here is some good information about the EHV virus. The current outbreak is in Texas and Oklahoma, we have not heard of any cases in California as of now. It’s always a good idea to make sure your horses are current on their vaccines.

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases

11/12/2025

WHAT IS VESICULAR STOMATITIS?

Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a contagious virus that affects horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, as well as some other animals. It causes painful blisters, crusts and ulceration of the lips, muzzle, nose, tongue, ears, sheath, teats, and/or coronary band.

What are the Signs?
• Blisters or sores on the tongue, lips, or around the mouth (the tongue is often the most severely affected)
• Crusty scabs on the muzzle, nostrils, and/or inside the ears
• Drooling or excessive salivation
• Trouble eating or chewing
• Lameness due to painful erosions on the coronary band.

How Does It Spread?
VS is mainly spread by biting insects like black flies and sand flies. It can also spread through direct contact with infected animals, shared water or feed buckets, or contaminated equipment.

Why is VS Important?
• It’s a reportable disease. Veterinarians must notify animal health officials if they suspect it.
• The sores can look like other serious diseases, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.
• Outbreaks can lead to movement restrictions for horses and other animals.

What Can You Do?
• Watch for signs of sores or blisters, especially during warm months when insects are active.
• Protect your horse from insects by using fly sprays, keeping stables clean, and bringing horses inside during peak insect activity.
• Don’t share equipment, feed buckets, or water buckets between horses, especially if one is showing signs of illness.
• Handle healthy animals before sick animals. Anyone handling infected animals should follow proper biosafety measures to protect themselves and other animals.
• If you see symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

Note that VS can also affect people, but it usually causes only mild, flu-like symptoms. Wearing gloves and practicing good hygiene when handling affected animals is recommended.

Learn more about VS on our website at: https://aaep.org/resource/vesicular-stomatitis/

Current disease outbreak reports are available on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/vesicular-stomatitis

10/27/2025

Hi everyone, Corey’s daughter Averi is once again in the Christmas card design contest for 4-H! Y’all helped her get second two years ago maybe we can do it again! Please like the picture on the original post! Averi Simpson, Van Zandt County Senior division
Thank you!!

Averi Simpson, Van Zandt County

10/16/2025

Happy Vet Tech Week!! We are so thankful for our AMAZING Vet Tech Amanda!!! We couldn’t do it without her!!!

Veterinary technicians, assistants and support staff are critical to the day-to-day function of veterinary practices, and they play vital roles in ensuring compassionate, high-quality care for all animals. As we celebrate National Veterinary Technician and Assistant Appreciation Week, please join us and our friends at AAEVT-American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants in showing appreciation for our veterinarians’ right-hand men and women!

📸Photos courtesy of:
Rhinebeck Equine
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Scone Equine Hospital
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine & Penn Vet New Bolton Center
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Littleton Equine Medical Center
The Equine Medical Center of Ocala

10/03/2025

10/02/2025

IT'S MYTHBUSTERS TIME! 🔎

As we know, our equine companions can be quite accident-prone. Injuries can vary in severity from small surface cuts that can be managed at home to deep wounds that require sutures that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

As a horse owner, it's inevitable that your equine will sustain several less severe wounds throughout the course of its life, and you may be tempted to clean these wounds with products such as hydrogen peroxide in an effort to prevent infection. However, hydrogen peroxide may cause more harm than good to the healing process.

The truth is that hydrogen peroxide is much too aggressive and toxic to the fibroblasts and other healthy cells that aid in wound healing. Therefore, the use of hydrogen peroxide can actually delay wound healing. In addition, its use can be quite painful when being applied to the wound site.

Instead, it's important to use an isotonic solution (similar in pH to the fluids of the body). Ideally this solution will be warmed to limit the amount of constriction of the blood vessels. If you're in a bind and the wound is grossly contaminated, clean tap water is acceptable to clean the injury site but be sure to use gentle water pressure.

Overall, be sure to approach wound care and cleaning with caution so that you do not unintentionally worsen the injury or slow the healing process. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, concentrated antiseptics like Betadine or chlorhexidine that have not yet been diluted, or high pressure when applying water or cleansing agents.

If you have questions or concerns about wound care or are unsure if a wound needs veterinary intervention, contact your veterinarian.

07/30/2025

07/08/2025

We are so thankful for all the amazing farriers out there!!

It’s ! Let’s take a moment to celebrate and thank our farriers!

Proper foot care is the cornerstone of maintaining a sound horse, and a good farrier is an essential part of your equine's healthcare team, keeping your horse’s feet balanced and well-supported. Farriers and veterinarians often work together for the best interests of the horse, so a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset. Be sure to let your farriers know they are appreciated!

06/15/2025

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day!!

06/13/2025

As the temperatures rise and the sun stays out longer, make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your equine protected this summer.

06/13/2025

Have you ever been told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up?

This notion is actually a myth, and a dangerous one too, because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.e. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first).

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/offering-a-horse-water-after-exercise-8622