Appropriate weight in horses

Horses come in many shapes and sizes. However, there are some good basic principles that can apply to any horse, donkey, or mule when it comes to telling if your horse is the right weight. When assessing a horse for weight, we want to look at multiple regions:

• Neck
• Withers
• Shoulder
• Ribs
• Loin (lower back)
• Hips and Pelvis
• Base of the tail

For each region, we want the horse to be filled in with adequate muscle and a little fat, but not be excessively fleshy.

This horse is clearly underweight.

The neck is thin with easily felt bones.
The withers are prominent without any fat and with reduced muscle cover.
The shoulder and girth are without any fat.
The ribs are all visible.
The loin has no fat and reduced muscle; the lower back bones are prominent.
The hips and tail are very prominent due to the lack of fat and muscle in the pelvis and thighs.

Compare with this clearly overweight horse.

The neck has a large crest.
The withers are nearly invisible.
It is hard to discern the front and back edges of the shoulder because of the fat surrounding it.
The ribs cannot be felt.
The lower back is well padded.
The point of the hip blends in to the round thigh and buttock.
There is fat above the level of the tail.

Here is a  horse which is normal to slightly overweight. Note that he has neither excessive fat nor is he too skinny.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is one of the more common cancers that horses can get. It occurs more often in horses with pink skin (paints, Appaloosas, cremellos, horses with wide blazes, etc). The junction between the inside and outside of the body - edges of eyelids, nostrils, lips, and genitals - are common places for it to occur. It can start off as an innocent looking little bump, but this can rapidly progress into a bigger uglier mass. Sheath cleanings and examinations by your veterinarian can help identify cancer on the genitals while it is still in its early stages. Eye exams of paints, appaloosas, and horses with pink skin around the eyes can help locate cancer of the upper, lower and third eyelid and on the eyeball itself early.

Compare the
early small mass (left)
with the advanced mass (right). Both are squamous cell carcinoma tumors of the lower eyelid.




Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commonly treated by surgical removal of the mass.  The tumor itself is sent to a specialist veterinary pathologist who can examine the tissue under a microscope and determine with more certainty that it is SCC, how aggressive it is, and whether the surgery removed the entire tumor or if some was left behind.

After removal, additional therapies may be used to help reduce risk of it recurring. Freezing the surgery site is a common option. Medicines can be used -- in the form of topical creams, injections, or surgically implanted beads of time-release medication -- to help reduce the risk of the tumor coming back or spreading.

If your horse has a mass anywhere on its body, make an appointment with your vet to have it examined.

Gelding (Castration) Information and Postop Care

Castration is a surgical procedure to remove the testicles, rendering the animal incapable of procreation later in life. During the first days to weeks after castration, any semen remaining in the patient could result in a successful mating. Stallion behavior is partially controlled by hormones and partially learned behavior and is not always eliminated by castration.

The castration procedure involves making a surgical incision at the scrotum and removing the testicles. The site is left open to drain and allowed to close naturally (it is not sutured closed).

Castrations performed by Dr. Devaney include:

• Pre-operative tetanus vaccine (if necessary) [$15 value]
• Pre-operative physical examination [$55 value]
• General anesthesia, castration and pain control during surgery [$280 value]
• Post-operative pain control for several days [$25 value]
• Post-operative recheck examination [$35 value] 

Total value of $410 for $250 (plus call charge)

For the first postoperative day, the horse should be rested quietly in a stall and monitored closely for complications or problems. In the subsequent two weeks after the surgery, it is important to keep the surgery site draining, reasonably clean, and to moderate the swelling. This can be achieved by encouraging exercise twice daily or as needed. You may wash the surgery site with water (spraying gently with a water hose is acceptable) as needed to keep it clean. In addition, anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. Bute or Banamine) may be administered as directed by a veterinarian to help reduce discomfort and swelling.

For fly control, you may use regular fly spray on all intact skin. Catron IV spray works well around, but not in, the wound. For the wound itself, nitrofurazone spray (yellow) or alumimum spray (commonly called "silver spray" or brands like AluSpray or AluShield) can be applied on the wound.

After surgery, your horse may be incoordinated for several hours. Please do not ride or exercise the horse for 24 hours unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. Please use caution in handling the horse as he may stumble or be incoordinated. If the horse drops his penis and fails to retract it for more than a couple hours, or it swells or becomes traumatized, seek veterinary care right away.

While the risks of serious complications are low, risks of castration include but are not limited to: swelling at the surgical site, excessive bleeding from the surgery site, infection at the surgical site, scarring or hydrocoele formation at the surgical site, damage to the limbs or body during anesthesia or postoperative recovery, evisceration through the inguinal rings, and anesthetic death.

If you feel your horse is exhibiting any signs which may suggest a complication is occurring, or if you have questions or concerns, seek veterinary advice immediately.

Post-mortem Exams

Has a beloved horse or other animal pet of yours passed away, and you wanted to know what caused the death?  A post-mortem examination is the way to find out.

I recommend a post-mortem exam on any unexplained or sudden death in any animal. Why? It can give real peace of mind if we find that the animal had a severe illness, such as cancer or heart disease. Also it helps us to know that the cause is not contagious, so that other animals living together would not be at risk. Finally, if the death was suspicious it can help us be reassured whether there was a toxin, foul play, or any other unusual factors involved. 

As with any test, a post-mortem is not perfect. Some things don't show up well on post-mortem exams and are better tested with antemortem blood tests, for example, such as cantharadin or oleander poisonings in horses. However many causes of death are apparent and having a post-mortem can help explain what happened to your beloved animal.

Here is a recent example from a fellow veterinarian, about a client whose dog died suddenly after surgery and taking pain medication. The vet and owner were worried the death might have been due to the surgery or a reaction to the medication.

 Last week I had a patient come in because he did not feel well early that weekend and the owner noticed a mass pop up at the sternum. In talking to the owner, Sam had some vomiting but felt better later that week. I examined him and everything was fine. I did note that the 3 cm mass at the sternum did not feel like your typical lipoma and every time I did a fine needle aspirate I would get blood. So I recommended the removal of the mass. I normally do surgeries on Tuesdays but because the man was going out of town, I decided to remove the mass the previous Friday.

Well Friday came around and removed the mass. The mass had like a large clot in the center of it and I sent it off for pathologic analysis. No issues and sent the animal home. Well Saturday night I get a call from the owner that Sam as not doing well and it all started after the Deramaxx tablet (pain medication). I did not see the call until the next morning. He called me the next morning to say Sam was barely breathing. I told him to take the dog to the e-clinic where he came in DOA (dead on arrival). Of course the man was very upset and wanted to know what happened.

I know we are super careful about recording parameters during anesthesia. We have charts that must be filled out by the techs every 5 minutes. I explained to him that I did not know what happened and recommended he have an autopsy done. I explained that I would pay for it and I would help us know if there was anything we missed. Couple hours later, I got a call from the University hospital stating that he was there for a necropsy (post-mortem).  I get a call from the pathologist stating that Sam bled out from a splenic tumor. He also had mets [metastatic tumors that spread] to the lungs. I got the biopsy report of that mass which came back hemangiosarcoma [malignant cancer of the blood vessels which often starts in the spleen and spreads from there].

I spoke to the man who thanked me for having him do the necropsy. He said it turned the whole situation from the worst possible outcome to knowing that there was nothing that anyone could have done. I also think in hindsight that the vomiting/lethargy episode early that week was probably an acute bleed. 

Breeding Mares - Before you Breed

Breeding horses is not inexpensive or for the faint of heart. It can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but sometimes it can be heartwrenching when things go wrong. If you're thinking of breeding your mare, but not sure if you should, here are some things to consider.

Responsible breeders are willing to care for any animal they produce for the rest of its life. Are you ready to keep any foals you produce for the rest of their lives? If they are sold but have a problem later, will you take back a (possibly sick or injured) horse for many years of further care?

Are you looking to make money? Most foals are worth less than the cost of the stud fee plus the feed, board, training and veterinary care required to produce them. Unless your foals are exceptionally valuable, you are unlikely to make any money by breeding your mare.

Are the mare and stallion worth breeding?  There are already more horses than there are homes in this country. As a society we do not need to produce horses just because we can; we should produce them with a specific goal in mind -- improving the breed or sport. Your mare should be very accomplished with good genetics and you need a keen eye to know her flaws as well as her strengths. Likewise, you should choose a stallion who will improve upon your mare's traits. You should look not only at the mare and stallion themselves, but any offspring they have produced and the offspring of their relatives. A structurally sound, healthy foal with a great attitude is our goal.

The foal won't be a duplicate of your mare.  Just like we are not an exact replica of our mothers or fathers, foals are not exactly like their dams or sires. If you want to find another horse that is very much like your mare or stallion, you a better off choosing one that is already the right breed, color, sex, age, size and temperament. Trying to breed a similar horse may take many, many breedings and you may end up with many foals you don't want to get the one you do.  Even then, you'll have to wait years for the foal to grow up, costing a substantial amount of money and effort to raise, to see how it turns out.

Raising a foal can be an expensive and risky prospect. You start with the stud fee, which can range from free to tens of thousands of dollars, and the other costs associated with breeding. Then there is caring for your pregnant mare, including veterinary bills associated with proper prenatal care. Your foal should have an examination and testing within a day of birth to help ensure its health, and may need treatment to prevent disease right away. The foal will need several years of feed, board, and training before it can be ridden, and of course will need veterinary care to ensure its wellness and treat the usual coughs and cuts that foals get as they grow and play. And of course, things could always go wrong - your mare could have trouble getting pregnant, your mare could lose the foal, the foal could be born with a problem or the mare have trouble giving birth. The foal, as it grows, could have problems that make it lame or otherwise a poor candidate for the job you want. So you may not end up the foal you want, or the costs you expect.

It's not our goal to dissuade you from breeding your mare. We want to be sure you make a rational, educated decision about what is right for you and your mare, both now and in the future.

Call us if you have questions about the proper care of mares and foals or if you have any questions about the breeding, pregnancy and foaling process.

Cushing's Disease

Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (EPPID), or "Cushing's Disease," is a common disorder in older horses.

In this disorder, the part of the brain called the pars intermedia, a part of the pituitary gland, gets enlarged and overactive. As a result, the horse over-produces the stress hormones (non-sexual steroids, or cortisols) that are normally present at low levels in the horse. This overproduction makes the body feel "stressed out" all the time, prevents normal response to stress, and can cause many health problems such as:

• Immunosuppression - reduced ability to fight off infection
• Liver damage
• Hirsutism - retained or altered hair coat (this is a later sign, often only occuring after the patient has been overproducing cortisol for several years)
• Weight loss or gain
• Muscle loss, especially lack of muscle apparent on the topline and an enlarged, weak abdominal wall (sagging or large belly)
• Change in distribution of body fat
• Increased risk of poor blood sugar regulation
• Increased risk of laminitis / founder
• Personality change - becoming more calm or, rarely, crankier

Testing involves blood samples and sometimes stimulating the animal by giving a cortisol-type medication and then taking samples to see whether the animal's natural production can turn down rather than persist at an overly-high level. Due to natural variations in the levels of cortisol in the horse during the fall and winter as well as during times of stress, your horse may need to be tested during the spring or summer and when he isn't in a lot of pain or under stress.

There is an FDA approved medication, Prascend, to treat this disorder.  Pergolide, the active ingredient, has been used for years. It is given once or twice daily for life and suppresses the overproduction of cortisol.

Lameness and Pain

Lame. No one wants to hear that word.

If your horse is in pain, however, it is important to notice and take care of the problem so that the chance of long term problems are reduced.

How can you tell if your horse is in pain as opposed to "moving funny"? 

Horses and other animals very very rarely "move funny" unless it hurts. Occasionally scarring or prior injury can cause an odd way of going, but this would be a permanent result of an injury, not something that comes and goes.  Most forms of unusual gait can be treated, whether pain or some other problem is the cause. Bottom line? If your horse moves funny, it needs to be diagnosed by a veterinarian.

Does your horse need pain medication?

By the time you can tell your horse is in pain, he needs medication. Think of yourself. Many minor aches and pains come and go without being obvious to someone looking at you.  How much pain are you in before someone can just look at you and tell something is wrong? The same is true of our animal companions. Most minor pains you won't even see; they will suffer them in silence. By the time the pain is enough to cause lameness, behavior change, or other signs it is enough that it needs treatment.

Appointments

To make an appointment, please call 832-408-0747 during business hours (9am - 6pm).

You may also email us and we will call you back during business hours to schedule your appointment. Doctor's hours are by appointment, and are usually available 9-5, Sunday through Thursday. We are available for emergencies. Since Dr. Devaney can't be in two places at once, in the rare event that she is unavailable, she will refer you to another qualified vet or the nearest hospital.

APPOINTMENT POLICIES:

As a veterinarian, I commit to my clients that:

I will provide evidence based medicine and I will explain as much (or as little) of my diagnosis and treatment as you wish.

I will arrive on time (30 minute appointment window), or will call as soon as possible if I am running late. At your request, we will call you when about 30 minutes from your appointment to facilitate your preparedness.

I will return your calls promptly (within the business day if not urgent). Please call our main number 832-408-0747. Emergency calls will be returned as quickly as possible.

I will answer your questions and address your concerns to the best of my ability. I will be friendly, positive, and helpful.

I will devote my full attention to you and your horse during the appointment and will answer your questions completely before leaving.

I will refer any cases which need diagnostic or therapeutic options I cannot readily provide to the facility of your choice which can provide them.

At your request, I will provide prescriptions to the legal, licensed pharmacy of your choice, if you wish to purchase medications from other suppliers.

As a client, you will facilitate a better veterinary experience by:

Providing contact information including accurate telephone numbers where you can be reached during the day of your appointment, and an accurate address for the location of your horse.

Having a written list of symptoms, questions, and/or concerns so we don’t forget anything.

Having things ready at the appointment time:

• Gates open on driveways
• Loose animals (including dogs) put in their pens or in the house
• Horses in stalls or otherwise immediately catchable with halters and lead ropes immediately available
• Wearing closed shoes and, if appropriate, gloves
• We reserve the right to charge our hourly service fee (in 15 minute increments) if we arrive as notified and must wait more than 15 minutes for safe and prepared working conditions.

Call the office at least a day in advance if you need to change the services provided at the appointment (e.g. adding a lameness exam to your vaccine appointment) so that we can schedule enough time for your appointment

Letting the vet or the office know whenever you are dissatisfied so that we can strive to better serve you. Please let us know if we have neglected to return your call, failed to notify you when running late, or if we have otherwise or in any way failed to meet your expectations.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Please be courteous and call to cancel your appointment at least 1 business day in advance. Be advised that if you wish to cancel or reschedule an appointment or emergency when the vet is already enroute or at the premises, there is a cancellation fee equal to the house call charge.

PAYMENT:

Payment is due in full at the time of the appointment.
We accept:

• Cash
• Checks
• Credit Cards (Visa or Mastercard)
• ATM or Debit/Check Cards (Visa or Mastercard branded)
• Care Credit

Services

Sugar Land Pet Hospital is a full service, ambulatory equine veterinary provider for the greater Houston/Fort Bend region.

 

Our services include, but are not limited to:

• Preventative care (vaccines, dentistry, etc.)
• Lameness and performance horse medicine
• Reproduction (mare, foal and stallion care)
• Internal Medicine (colic, pneumonia, and other illnesses)
• Field Surgery (castration, wound repair, etc.)
• Emergency Services

If you are not sure if we provide a service, or would like an estimate for a service, please contact us and we will happily answer your questions.

We provide at-home care for your horse, which gives you the convenience of not having to haul your horses to another facility, and your horse the comfort and security of his normal environment. Our ambulatory-only philosophy means we carry all our supplies in the truck. This allows our doctors to come to you, and keeps our overhead low so that your costs are lower.

What animals do you treat?

Equines, which include horses, donkeys, mules, hinnies, and zebras. We do not treat goats, sheep, pigs, camels, alpacas, llamas, cattle, or other animals not in the horse family.

Areas We Serve

SLPH Equine serves Fort Bend and surrounding counties. We will happily travel to your location.


View Larger Map

About Sugar Land Pet Hospital - Equine

Sugar Land Pet Hospital was founded in 1978. Since 1999 it has been owned by Dr. Hendrix. In 2010, Dr. Devaney began working with the team and in May 2012 they introduced a mobile equine service.

SLPH Equine Service provides medical and surgical services to your horse at your barn. We love to keep horses healthy with annual examinations, immunizations to prevent disease, and consulting to help ensure your horse is getting the best feed, farriery, and husbandry. We are happy to help when your horse has a cough, cut or colic or otherwise needs a veterinarian's attention. If you are planning to breed your mare, we can help you from the pre-pregnancy planning, through breeding and pregnancy care, to foaling and newborn wellness. We will partner with you for every stage of your horse's life, from birth and growth, to adult performance, through the senior years and end-of-life care.