LBEMC Newsletter FallWinter2015

Loomis Basin
Equine Medical Center, Inc.
Serving Placer County, Surrounding Communities, and the Foothills
LBEMC
Services
Surgery
• Emergency Colic Surgery • Arthroscopy
• Airway Surgeries • Laparoscopy
• Most Elective Procedures
Reproduction
• Embryo Transfer • AI: Frozen Semen
• AI: Cooled Semen
Dentistry
• Routine Dental Care
• Specialized Dental Procedures
Lameness
• Full Spectrum of Diagnostic Testing
• Stem Cell Treatment
• Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment
• IRAP • Shock Wave Therapy
Emergency/ Critical Care
• 24 hour/365 days a year service
• Ambulatory or Hospital Care
• Intensive Care: Neonatal and Adult
Imaging
• Digital X-rays:
Legs, abdomen, chest, neck, etc.
• Digital Ultrasound:
Legs, heart, lungs, abdomen
• MRI
• Endoscopy:
Stomach (ulcers), airway, bladder, etc.
Additional services
• Ophthalmology • Dermatology
• Acupuncture • Nutrition
• Behavior
Other services:
• Oncology (cancer):
Surgical and Medical Treatment
(chemotherapy)
• Laboratory:
on site machines with results
in 20 minutes
Dear LBEMC Clients,
We are sending out another fall
newsletter with some great new articles
from our veterinarians. LBEMC has always
strived to bring the highest quality
and most current veterinary medicine
to our patients and clients. We continue
to promote client education with
monthly dinner presentations, newsletters,
and social media. We appreciate
all of our great clients at LBEMC and
your support is really important to the
success of our hospital.
The big news this past year has been
all of the new construction. The foaling
and reproduction barn is finished and
we are excited to be dedicating this
building to Dr. Bob Morgan. His time
at the practice has spanned the last
three decades and he has mentored all
of us that currently work here at the
clinic. He is an inspiration to clients
and veterinarians alike and we are so
pleased that he continues to be such an
integral part of the practice.
Additional buildings that will be
finished in the next few months include
a hay barn and a covered arena. Our
Fall/Winter 2016
continuing goal is to provide a fullservice
equine medical center to Placer
County and the surrounding communities.
Please provide your feedback
as it helps us decide how to focus new
buildings and equipment at the clinic
and plan for the future.
Another area that has really expanded
at LBEMC over the past few
years is our emergency/on-call service.
At any given time, we have 4-6 veterinarians
on-call and ready to respond to
your horse’s emergency. These emergency
veterinarians are supported by
specialists in surgery, internal medicine,
critical care, ophthalmology, and radiology.
We travel up to an hour away to
respond to horses in need of emergency
treatment. Please call us if you need
help and we will be headed your way.
We hope that you enjoy the newsletter.
Please feel free to join us at one of
our educational events or contact us
with any questions. Our equine clinic
and team/family of veterinarians are
here for you and your horses any time
you need us.
Thank you,
Diana Stolba, Catherine Jacobs,
Langdon Fielding
24-hour Equine
Medical Supplies
Come visit our supply store
filled with emergency care items
for your horse.

Eye Emergencies
By Emma Deane, DVM
Eye emergencies in horses are serious
as they can cause pain, limit sight and
have long-term consequences. Any
abnormality noticed in the eyes should
be treated as an emergency and a veterinarian
should assess the horse as soon
as possible. Two of the most common
eye emergencies in horses are corneal
ulcers and uveitis. Signs frequently associated
with eye problems include eyelid
swelling, discharge, increased redness,
and squinting.
What to expect?
With any eye problem, an ophthalmic
examination is performed to evaluate
the eye and its associated structures.
An eye exam will often include:
• Assessment of the skull and symmetry
of the eyes
• Examination of the eyelids (upper,
lower and third eyelid)
• Examination of the eye (cornea,
anterior chamber, iris, lens, optic
nerve)
• Fluorescein stain to check for a
corneal ulcer
• Palpation of the lids to evaluate for a
foreign body such as a foxtail
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is a scratch on the
surface of the eye. The typical presentation
includes increased ocular
discharge, increased squinting of the
eye, and increased whiteness to the
surface of the eye. Corneal ulcers are
typically caused by trauma to the eye.
The trauma can be from rubbing or an
accidental collision with an object (i.e.
fence post, branch, etc.). Occasionally,
a foxtail or other foreign body can be
found underneath the eyelids.
A bright green fluorescein stain is
used to identify corneal ulcers. Palpation
of the eye is also performed to
ensure that a foreign body is not hiding
under the eyelids. Most corneal ulcers
are uncomplicated and involve only
the surface of the cornea. These simple
ulcers heal in less than 7 days and are
not associated with infection.
Treatment of uncomplicated corneal
ulcers includes:
• A broad-spectrum antibiotic eye
ointment to prevent infection. Eye
ointments with steroid should never
be used in cases of corneal ulcers as
they can delay healing, predispose to
infections and worsen the depth and
size of the ulcer.
• A systemic anti-inflammatory.
Banamine is the anti-inflammatory
of choice as it has been shown to
reach therapeutic levels in the eye
itself.
• Atropine to dilate the pupil. Dilating
the pupil makes the eye more
comfortable and can help to prevent
scarring within the eye.
Unfortunately, some corneal ulcers
are more complicated. These ulcers
are often deep and associated with
infection. Aggressive and frequent
treatments may be required and some
patients need to be hospitalized.
Uveitis
Uveitis, also known as Moon Blindness,
is common in breeds such as
Appaloosas but can occur in any breed.
It is essentially a term for inflammation
within the eye and can be caused by infections,
trauma and immune mediated
diseases. Unfortunately, the cause of
the uveitis in many horses is unknown.
Horses can develop Equine Recurrent
Uveitis (ERU) where multiple episodes
occur over a period of months to years.
ERU can be difficult to treat and can
lead to secondary effects, such as blindness,
glaucoma, scarring within the eye
(synechia) and cataracts. Signs of uveitis
include swollen eyelids, increased
tearing, a cloudy appearance to the eye,
and constricted pupils.
Treatment of uveitis includes:
• Topical steroids or topical antiinflammatories.
Steroids can be used
in the absence of corneal ulcers.
• A systemic anti-inflammatory.
Banamine is the anti-inflammatory
of choice as it has been shown to
reach therapeutic levels in the eye
itself.
• Atropine to dilate the pupil. Dilating
the pupil helps prevent scarring
within the eye and can make the eye
more comfortable.
Treatment is often prolonged and
horses may have frequent flare-ups.
Early recognition and treatment is
extremely important for eye problems
in horses. Veterinarians can help evaluate
the severity of the condition and
recommend the best treatment. Most
eye problems have a very successful
outcome when they are addressed early
in the course of disease.
LBEMC • Fall/Winter 2016 • Page 2

My Horse is Losing Weight
What is the Next Step?
By Grace Monmaney
Weight loss in horses can have many
causes, but diagnosis and treatment is
often simple. However, some reasons
for weight loss can be very serious and
have long term effects on your horse’s
health. As your veterinarian, we can
help identify the cause of your horse’s
weight loss and recommend treatment
to get your horse back to an ideal body
weight. A few simple questions are very
helpful:
• What is your horse’s diet?
• When was your horse last dewormed?
• When was your horse’s last dental?
• Is your horse on a sand clear product?
What is your horse’s diet?
Adequate nutritional intake may
seem obvious. However, ensuring that
your horse is receiving quality feed and
adequate caloric intake is extremely
important. Most horses require 1-1.5%
of their body weight in feed daily and
therefore a 1000lb horse should be
consuming 10-15lbs of feed per day.
Although your horse may seem to have
a great appetite and finishing all of the
feed, poor quality forages or concentrates
can result in significant weight
loss. Ensure that your horse is on a
quality forage free of weeds and debris.
Some horses require supplementation
with grain and/or vitamins in order to
ensure appropriate nutrition and caloric
intake.
Your horse’s nutritional requirement
will vary depending on his/her life
stage and level of performance. Young
and old horses often require higher
caloric diets and may have higher protein
requirements. Horses performing
at high levels of competition may also
require a higher level of nutrition. Your
veterinarian can advise you as to which
diet is best suited for your young, geriatric,
or performance horse.
Herd dynamics is another important
factor to consider when assessing nutrition.
We encounter situations where
the horse is given an adequate amount
of feed, but a new, more dominant
horse has entered the pasture and is
not allowing the other horses to eat.
Management strategies for this problem
include separation of horses at feeding
time or providing feed in several locations.
When was your horse’s last dental?
Dental disease can lead to pain and
reduced intake of feed. Dental disease
such as sharp, misaligned, and missing
teeth can lead to oral discomfort and
inability to prehend or pick up food.
Your veterinarian can perform an oral
examination to identify these abnormalities
and address them by performing
a dental. Quidding, dropping balls
of feed, is a sign that your horse may
have a dental problem and requires
evaluation by your veterinarian.
Dental disease is commonly seen in
older horses with weight loss. As horses
age, their teeth can wear out and no
longer appropriately grind feed. If your
veterinarian identifies these expired
teeth, we may recommend dietary
changes such as a pelleted feed. These
feeds may be easier to chew and digest.
When was your horse last dewormed?
Intestinal parasites can steal nutrients
from your horse and damage the
intestinal tract resulting in decreased
absorption of nutrients. Performing
regular fecal egg counts on your horse
can help identify parasites. The fecal
egg count will help your veterinarian
recommend an ideal deworming
protocol.
Is your horse on a sand clear product?
Sand accumulation in the intestinal
tract is another simple yet significant
cause of weight loss in horses. Irritation
from sand can lead to inflammation
and decreased nutrient absorption.
Colic from sand ingestion is common
in the late summer and fall when the
ground is dry and the green grass is
gone. Some common signs of a sand
problem in your horse include not only
weight loss, but poor hair coat, colic,
and diarrhea.
To test for sand, a fecal sedimentation
test is a simple way to determine if
sand is present in the feces. To do this,
collect a fresh sample of manure (3-4
balls) from the top of a pile. You can
place the manure in a plastic bag, add
water, mix, and allow to settle. If sand
is present, it will settle at the bottom
the bag. An x-ray of the abdomen is
the only way to determine the quantity
of sand that is present within your
horse’s gastrointestinal system.
For sand prevention, feeding out of a
feeder over rubber mats is very important.
You may need to sweep off the
mats each day if there is a lot of sand
or dirt. We also recommend a psyllium
supplement for 1 week out of every
month. Avoiding sand ingestion is the
best prevention! If you have noticed
continued on page 5
LBEMC • Fall/Winter 2016 • Page 3

Allergic Skin Disease
By Bob Morgan, DVM
Allergic skin disease is the most
common manifestation of an allergic
reaction in the horse. These reactions
are predominately in the form of hives
or itchiness (pruritis) or both. The
general causes of equine allergies are:
1) inhaled substances (atopy) e.g. dust
or pollen, 2) insect bites—culicoides
gnats are the worst but there are others,
3) topical allergens—insecticide sprays,
and grooming and bathing products, 4)
food allergies.
Horses can be seasonally allergic or
continually allergic depending on the
allergen(s) that plague them. Like their
human counterparts, horses with allergies
are most often allergic to multiple
substances. To control the signs of
allergies (hives and/or pruritis), it is
generally not necessary to address all
the allergens to which the horse reacts
but rather to remove some of them.
This will allow the horse to drop below
their “allergic threshold” and symptoms
will disappear.
While horse owners are obviously
interested in understanding what causes
hives and pruritis, they are equally
concerned with treatment of the symptoms.
An immediate course of treatment
to alleviate symptoms (regardless
of cause) would be 1) antihistamines or
2) corticosteroids. Steroids are problematic
in horses that have laminitis or
are predisposed to that condition.
The best treatment for allergy
problems is avoidance. With food
and topical allergens, the source of the
problems often require sleuthing by the
owner—observing the results of eliminating
foodstuffs or topically applied
products. With atopy and insect hypersensitivity,
avoidance is more difficult
but positive steps can be taken.
With atopy, watering arenas and
turnout in grassy areas can reduce dust
in the horse’s environment. Hay can be
soaked and shavings can be sprinkled.
Better yet, convert to pelleted feed and
to less dusty bedding such as cardboard
or paper. A total environment change
may be impractical, but a springtime
vacation at the ocean could benefit an
allergic horse.
Insect sensitive horses can benefit
Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, Inc.
Serving Placer County, Surrounding Communities, and the Foothills
December Dental Special
Must have two or more horses
to receive discount
from removal of standing water and
manure piles from their environment.
Fly sheets, fans in stalls, and time-release
insecticide sprayers can also help.
Spray on insect repellents are essential.
Ultimately, antihistamines or corticosteroids
may be needed, but the horse
owner should consider the benefits
of Allergy Specific Immune Therapy
(allergy shots) before settling for long
courses of medication. Skin testing or
blood testing will result in a specific
allergy profile for your horse leading
to customized allergy injections. The
profile will also identify which allergens
your horse should avoid. There is an
upfront cost to this program, but it can
reduce medication costs in the long
run.
Half Price
Power Dentals
during December 2016 ONLY!
Ask about our
Dental for Life
Program
To book an appointment,
please call our office at:
(916) 652-7645
• Emergency Coverage • Healthcare Program • Reproductive Services • Dentals
• Acupuncture • Vaccines • Digital Radiographs • Ultrasound
(916) 652-7645 • 2973 Penryn Road, Penryn, CA 95663 • www.lbemc.com
LBEMC • Fall/Winter 2016 • Page 4

Quarter Cracks
By Eduardo De La Cruz, DVM
Healthy hooves are essential for a
horse’s soundness and wellbeing. Many
hoof issues can arise from genetics,
environmental factors, use of the horse,
poor farriery, and trauma. One common
problem is hoof cracks. They can
be divided into toe cracks and quarter
4 months later
cracks and are defined based on the
location on the hoof. This article will
focus on quarter cracks.
Quarter cracks are commonly seen
in horses that perform at full speed or
jump. They may also be associated with
a scar from a previous injury. At full
speed and when jumping, the forces
exerted when the hoof contacts the
ground may exceed the forces the hoof
is able to withstand, thus causing the
hoof to crack. The Thoroughbred, for
example, is a common breed used for
racing and jumping. Thoroughbreds
also tend to have weak walls, low
underrun heels, and are fitted with
smaller/shorted shoes when compared
to other breeds. For these reasons,
we see a significant number of Thoroughbreds
with quarter cracks but any
horse can develop them. Trauma to the
coronary band can lead to a permanent
scar that then creates a defect on the
new hoof growth. These scars create a
weak point in the hoof and can lead to
recurrent cracks.
While there are many factors that
contribute to quarter cracks, farriers
in combination with veterinarians can
treat and, in many cases, completely
resolve the problem. Proper hoof balance
should be confirmed with x-rays.
Proper trim and shoe size and proper
hoof-pastern angles are also essential to
prevent and treat quarter cracks.
Another treatment method prescribed
at LBEMC is the use of hoof
sutures. The process includes debridement
of the crack with or without
power tools, drilling pilot holes for the
steel sutures, lacing the sutures, placing
a drain, and rebuilding the hoof wall. A
therapeutic shoe is then used. Shoeing
focuses on floating the affected quarter
and transferring the weight/load to the
rest of the foot while the defect grows
out. If the crack starts or extends to
the coronary band, it may take 6-12
months to completely grow out the defect.
The goal is to have a repair without
a scar on the coronary band or on the
hoof wall.
In summary, cracks develop for
many reasons. They can be managed
and treated successfully in most cases.
Early diagnosis and treatment by the
appropriate professionals leads to a better
prognosis.
Losing Weight
continued from page 3
weight loss in your horse and your
horse has access to sand, consider asking
your veterinarian about treatment
and prevention.
What else could be causing weight
loss? The next step…
If the more common causes of
weight loss are not the problem in your
horse, your veterinarian may recommend
some additional tests. These may
include a blood panel, ultrasound of
the abdomen, and x-ray of the abdomen.
These additional tests will help
guide your veterinarians towards an
explanation for the weight loss and get
you and your horse back on the trails!
LBEMC • Fall/Winter 2016 • Page 5

Loomis Basin
Equine Medical Center, Inc.
2973 Penryn Road, Penryn, CA 95663
(916) 652-7645
PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE
PAID
sacramento,CA
PERMIT NO. 1142
LBEMC doctors providing personalized care:
Langdon Fielding DVM,
DACVECC (Equine Critical Care),
DACVSMR (Equine Sports Medicine)
Catherine Jacobs, DVM
Diana Stolba, DVM
Robert Morgan, DVM
Eduardo De La Cruz, DVM
Jason Errico, DVM, DACVS (Surgery)
Diane Rhodes, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Elizabeth Howard, DVM
Jennifer Mayer, VMD
Emma Deane, DVM
Grace Monmaney, DVM
Newsletter Design: www.BTLDesigns.com
Printing: API- Marketing
Visit our website at: lbemc.com
Breeding
Packages
$360 PER CYCLE* Cooled Semen
• Ultrasound exams • One dose pro-ovulatory agent
• Artificial insemination • One pregnancy check
$525 PER CYCLE* Frozen Semen
• Ultrasound exams • One dose pro-ovulatory agent
• Two artificial inseminations • One pregnancy check
Loomis Basin
Equine Medical Center, Inc.
(916) 652-7645 • 2973 Penryn Rd, Penryn, CA 95663 • www.lbemc.com
Serving Placer County, Surrounding Communities, and the Foothills
Now serving Davis, Dixon, Winters, Woodland, Yolo County, and surrounding areas
2017
Foaling
Program
Loomis Basin
Equine Medical Center, Inc.
(916) 652-7645 • 2973 Penryn Rd, Penryn, CA 95663 • www.lbemc.com
BOOK EARLY!
Space is limited!
Additional fees
apply for treatment
of sick mares
& foals
Paddock Board: $15/day
Stall Board: $30/day
*These prices include all of the above
diagnostics, medications and insemination.
The fees are per estrus
cycle. Boarding is usually an average
5 day stay for breeding package.
If additional cycles are needed to obtain
a pregnancy, additional fees will apply.
BOOK EARLY!
Space is limited!
Additional fees
apply for treatment
of sick mares
& foals
For questions or booking,
please call our office at:
(916) 652-7645
Routine Foaling: $360
4 Doctor-assisted delivery
Following Day:
4 Foal IgG
4 Post Partum exam of mare & foal
Boarding: $30/day
For questions or booking,
please call our office at:
(916) 652-7645
LBEMC • Fall/Winter 2016 • Page 6