1. Windarra Park Vet Clinic
Providing the care your animal deserves
October 2013
Breeding Season
Do you want to breed a foal
this season?
Book your mare in for the
coming stud season.
Contact Details
Clinic : 8388 1200 all hours
Pager : 8378 3712
for after hours emergency
Fax :
83881156
Let us know when you are
planning insemination, and if
you are using chilled or
frozen semen.
Veterinarians
Don’t miss out - call the
clinic as a deposit is required
to secure your mare’s spot!
Mandy Napier
Alana Pitts
Dr.Andrew Loose
Dr.Tanya Dodi
Veterinary Nurses
Foaling season is underway!
This year’s foals are landing thick and fast with highs and lows that come at this time of year. So
far we are pleased to say things are looking good for mares and foals under our care with very
few and only minor mishaps occurring. We are hoping the mares still due to foal will also have
uncomplicated foalings and healthy newborn foals. With more mares foaling during the day this
season we hope to continue with all the safe deliveries.
Once your foal is on the ground and mare and foal are looking good it is a good idea to have the
vet out to preform a neonatal examination and an IgG (antibody) test approximately 24 to 36
hours post foaling. This is to ensure your foal has received adequate colostrum to supply the
antibodies to keep him healthy until his own immune system can kick in. If IgG levels are low,
we recommend giving the foal a plasma trasfusion as the risk of infection is extremely high. The
vet will also perform a general examination of the foal with particular attention to the eyes, heart,
umbilicus and any abnormalities such as contracture or angulation of the limbs. A brief
examination of the mare will also be performed to check her perineum for post foaling trauma
and ensure the placenta has been passed

2. Some general tips for this time of year!
Now that the sun is shining and the grasses
are rapidly growing it is a good idea to keep
maintaining your property by keeping it
mowed and clean up items laying around so
(all you furry four legged friend stay safe).
With lots of sightings of snakes around
cleaning up and thinking twice about leaving
that rug on the ground may save your pets
lives!
Also remember rapidly growing grasses have
very high levels of sugars and laminitis is a
major risk.
Horses that have pink noses/faces and nonpigmented skin surrounding their eyes should
be covered with a uv fly mask. Sunburn is
very easily occurred in these types of horses
and also cancer is something that can come
of this involving the eyes.
Seasons are changing and different
insects and plants are out and about
growing. This is when allergies increase
not just to you but to your pets also
apply. Horses can have allergic reaction
to various things and the source usually
is not known. They can come up in in
bumps/hives and not be a problem and
go away without treatment but it can
also become quite serious very quickly
with swelling all over there body and
face blocking off airways and limiting
there sight.
Cotton rugs and spray repellants can
help prevent this sort of problems and
also inspecting your paddocks and yards
and removing any possible causes like
ants nests can help.

3. Cold Type symptoms could be Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1&4)
EHV-1&4 are a contagious viruses that can cause neurologic disease and respiratory disease,
neonatal death, and abortion in horses. Infected horses may show signs including fever,
coughing, nasal discharge, weakness and incoordination in the hindquarters, and inability to
stand. EHV-1&4 does not affect humans, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, or birds, though
alpacas and llamas are susceptible.
The virus is easily spread between horses through nose-to-nose contact. It can also be spread
when a healthy horse comes in contact with objects such as buckets, tack, or grooming equipment
that has been contaminated by the virus. Handlers of sick horses can spread the virus on their
hands and clothing. Horses exposed to the virus may become ill the next day, though an
incubation period of four to six days is more common. In some horses, neurologic signs may be
seen about 8 to 12 days after the horse shows an elevated temperature.
Infected horses are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral medications, and supportive
care. They should be isolated to prevent the spread of infection. Handlers should care for these
horses after caring for healthy horses, and should wash hands and change clothes after caring for
a sick horse.
In the lead up to major competitions as work levels increase susceptibility to upper respiratory
tract viruses increases as well due to this inherent stress. I frequently see horses in this situation
leading into competitions and these patients end up not competing going to waste. Vaccination
against EHV 1 & 4 significantly reduces the chances of this scenario happening.
Take home message: Preventing Equine Herpesvirus, helps prevent respiratory infections and
keeps event plans on track. Vaccination is recommended for all horses especially those that are
travelling and competing, or mares going to stud.
Electrolytes
With the weather warming up don’t forget to
keep up with your electrolytes.
We supply 5kg buckets and if you return with
your empty bucket you save $5!