Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital Equine

05/25/2026

05/23/2026

Memorial Day Weekend hours ⏳

05/22/2026

Today we want to highlight a diagnostic tool we use at the clinic, the thermogram! 🌡️

A thermogram is a non-invasive, diagnostic imaging tool that detects surface heat to identify inflammation & injury before they are visible. We will commonly use this for for lameness exams, assessing soft tissue injuries, pre-purchase exams, and to monitor healing progress.

The thermogram can:
•Identify "hot spots" (inflammation) or "cold spots" (decreased circulation/nerve damage) to pinpoint musculoskeletal issues
•Detect inflammation in tendons and ligaments often before clinical signs of lameness appear
•Evaluate blood flow and tissue changes to monitor recovery from injury
•Provide an objective overview of the horse’s muscular and vascular health for a pre-purchase exam

05/19/2026

April showers bring May flowers! 🌸 It seems like temperatures are finally going to stay warm, so we wanted to talk about spring deworming & F***l Egg Counts (FEC).

F***l Egg Counts are a laboratory test that counts strongyle eggs (large or small strongyles) in “eggs per gram” of f***s and and can identify if ascarid (roundworm) eggs are present. It stratifies horses into “low,” “medium,” and “high” shedders. This is important to determine how frequently each horse should be dewormed 🪱
LOW: 500 eggs per gram

FECs are used to:
1) Determine efficacy of dewormers using f***l egg count reduction tests
2) Determine strongyle egg shedding status of adult horses (most maintain the same level throughout their lives)
3) Determine makeup of parasite burdens in foals & weanlings (roundworms, strongyles, or both)

We recommend all horses have a FEC done once yearly prior to deworming. FEC reduction tests should be done on medium and high shedders 2 weeks after deworming.

Consult with your vet about which type of dewormer is the best for your horse after having a f***l. Some common types are listed below:
-Benzimidazoles: oxibendazole (Anthelcide EQ®), fenbendazole (Panacur®, Safe-Guard®)- Used for ascarids (roundworms) & pinworms
-Pyrimidines: pyrantel (Strongid®, Exodus®)- Used for ascarids (roundworms)
-Macrocyclic lactones: ivermectin (many brands), moxidectin (Quest®)- Used for large & small strongyles
-Praziquantel (component of Equimax®, Quest Plus®)- Use 1-2x/year for tapeworms

We also included our infographic on recommended deworming cycles for your horse based on their age. Any questions can be answered by your horses vet ☺️

05/15/2026

It’s
We have seen a lot of cute babies so far this spring! We would love to see pictures of your foals born this year! Bonus points if we helped with the breeding 🐴

05/13/2026

How well do you know your equine diseases? Our pony pals are susceptible to a number of illness that can spread easily from animal to animal if not contained. Horse owners should be aware of the signs to look for to keep their four-legged companions on the right hoof. Check out this month's Animal Bytes newsletter for more! https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/41260c9

05/11/2026

What measures have you taken to reduce fire risks in your barn? 🧯

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2025 there were 77,850 wildfires reported, consuming 5,131,474 acres in the U.S.

As we approach summer and the weather becomes warmer, make sure your farm has a fire prevention plan and an evacuation strategy in place to keep both equines and people safe.

Check out the graphic for ten fire prevention measures to get you started on the right track to a safer facility. This list is NOT meant to be exhaustive, and we invite you to contact your local fire department and your veterinarian for guidance on designing a prevention and response plan tailored to your specific situation.

Barn fires are the number one local emergency affecting agricultural facilities. They can cause horrific injuries and kill more equines than any other type of natural disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest!

05/05/2026

Congratulations to our May 2026 Patient of the Month, “George”, owned by Amanda Martin!

5 fun facts about George:
-George is a 10-year-old Saddlebred 🐴
-He is 17.2 hands 📏
-George joined their family 3 years ago on Mother’s Day and has been a wonderful addition to their family 💐
-He loves everyone right away ❤️
-Him and his rider Sadie (pictured) are soulmates and bring laughter & and smiles wherever they go 😊

Thank you all who commented to nominate your horse! Looking forward to next month! ⭐️

04/27/2026

Heads up, Cleary Lake clients — road construction near the clinic may slow your trip. Please allow extra time and consider alternate routes.

Affected projects:
- Natchez Ave/ County Road 91-intersection of CH 68 and CH 91 will be closed to traffic ( Use 185th St to get to CLVH)
- Hwy 169 / County Rd 282 / Co. Rd. 9 — interchange work may cause delays/lanes shifts.
- Co. Rd. 21 & Southbridge Pkwy / Pike Lake Rd — intersection construction; expect stoppages and detours.
- Co. Rd. 16 modernization (from Co. Rd. 18 to TH‑13) — lane closures and slower traffic.

Tips:
Leave 10–20 minutes earlier than usual.
Use local parallel roads or GPS alternate-route suggestions to avoid the busiest spots.
If you’re running late, call us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Thanks for your patience — we look forward to seeing you and your pets! (952) 435-8387

04/26/2026

🚨MAY PATIENT OF THE MONTH🚨
Want to see your horse as our next patient of the month?

RULES:
-Must be a current patient of ours
-Must have been seen by an equine vet since JUNE 1st, 2025 (and we will check 😉)
-Can be an animal other than a horse, as long as it is seen by an equine vet
-Only one horse per person
-Entries close at 11:59PM on April 30th

The winner will be selected randomly from all entries received. The winner will also receive a FREE F***l Egg Count, redeemable until May 1st, 2027.

To enter, drop a picture of your horse & their name in the comments with one fun fact about them! The winner will be contacted May 1st.