Peter Fenton – nominated Equine Vet of the Year – 2008

On 3 rd November 2008 we received notification from Petplan that Peter had been nominated Equine Vet of the Year 2008 as part of the Animal Health Trust’s annual UK Equestrian Awards. Peter was nominated by a number of clients for his outstanding dedication and veterinary care. Over 130 vets were nominated from around the UK and the judging panel had an extremely difficult task of selecting just 3 finalists due to the high calibre of nominations.

Peter was overwhelmed that clients had put him forward for this award and would like to say a huge THANK YOU to those who nominated him. Your kind words are very much appreciated.

Seasonal Reminders

Now is the time to get your colt castrated! This will save you from having the equivalent of “Kevin the Teenager” on the yard over the winter.

Autumn worming – ensure your autumn worming includes a treatment for tapeworms. Depending on which worming programme you are on we would advise using Equest Pramox or a double dose of Pyratape P / Strongid P. If you would like a worming programme tailored to your horse / for the whole yard, please telephone the practice – they are free of charge and this way you will know you are worming correctly at the right time. We can also supply your wormers for the year at very competitive prices so that’s one less thing to have to worry about!

Coming into the winter it is a good time to arrange a check on your horses teeth. Sharp points, sharp edges and uneven wear can cause much pain and could also reduce your horses ability to properly chew and digest hay / haylage and also reduce performance. To arrange a routine check / have your horses’ teeth rasped call the practice on 0870 850 3817.

LET US HELP YOU BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH

From January 2009 we will be doing special offers each quarter – such as half price microchipping, buy one get one free on vaccinations (for those starting a new course of vaccinations), discounted wormers, half price teeth rasping. Watch this space for each quarter’s offer and let us help you beat the credit crunch!!!

2009 Educational Evening with the

Peter Fenton Equine Vet Team

Sponsored by Intervet

During 2009 we plan to hold a number of Educational Evenings. This is following the success of those held in 2008.

From feedback following the 2008 Educational Evenings, some of the topics you highlighted you would like us to cover in 2009 are as follows:

Basic First Aid

Colic

Basic Nutrition and Feeding

Dealing with Equine Emergencies

The Lame Horse

The Coughing Horse

Equine Dentistry

If there is anything else you would like to see covered please email the practice.

We plan to hold the first one in Spring 2009.

Watch this space for details of when and where the next Educational Evening will take place and book your place early!!!

Autumn / Winter 2008 Competition

Win a Christmas Hamper for your horse this December!

Due to the success of the hamper competition last December, we have decided to do something similar again this year. This time there will be 2 hampers for 2 very lucky winners – one adult and one junior. Each contains fluorescent quarter sheet for your horse to ensure safety in the long winter days whilst riding, fluorescent tabard, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, IV Horse mud barrier leg guard, IV Horse multi wash, Carr, Day and Martin tack conditioner, matching head collar and lead rope, fleece gloves, riding gloves, woolly fun novelty socks and other such items.

To be in with a chance of winning – just answer the following question:

Which type of lymphangitis is caused by infection? Here is a clue!(see Diseases - lymphangitis).

Send the correct answer along with your name, address and contact telephone number. Answers can be sent by post or email to arrive no later than Friday 19 th December 2008. The winning entry will be picked out at random and the winners will be notified immediately. We will advise who the lucky winners are in the next newsletter and on this page. Good luck to all!

HOYS Competition Winner

Congratulations to Narelle Stuttard from Chadderton, Oldham who won 2 tickets to HOYS in our newsletter competition. The Horse of the Year show ran from 8 to 12 October 2008 at the Birmingham NEC. 2008 was HOYS Diamond Jubilee and Narelle won 2 tickets for Friday 10 October 2008.

Following the trip to HOYS Narelle sent us the email below:

Hi 

Just thought i'd drop you a line to say 'Thanks' for the HOYS tickets we won in your last competition.  We had a fab time & the seats were fantastic too - we had a really good view of everything.

Thanks again,

Narelle, Simon & Olivia Stuttard.

Other News

STUDIES – WITH LEAHURST

Leahurst recurrent colic study 2008 – for further information on Colic click the link to go to the relevant website pages.

The aim of the study is to investigate risk factors associated with recurrent colic in horses to gain further understanding of this important health issue of horses, for the benefit of horses, vets and owners. Previous studies have looked at risks associated with a horse developing different types if surgical colic, but there is little information on factors that are specific to recurrent colic.

Leahurst Equine Geriatric Health Study – for further information on Veteran Horse Care click the link to go to the relevant website pages.

There is lack of information on the prevalence of disease within the geriatric population and little is known about how management factors and veterinary care differ for animals over 15 years old.

The Horse Trust is funding this unique study over a three year period.

This is the first study of this type in Britain and it will provide invaluable information about the health status of older horses, and may help to identify risk factors for disease. With up to 28% of the UK equine population aged over 15 years, there are large numbers of horses that would benefit from improved knowledge of their specific health care requirements and this study will serve to increase the quality of service which we as a profession can offer to owners.

Phase 1 – investigates owner reported info regarding disease and routine care in horses over 15 years old via the use of postal questionnaires. This survey will help identify important diseases and risk factors within the older horse population.

Phase 2 – involves visiting a proportion of the horses from Phase 1 and completing a detailed clinical examination (performed by Leahurst). The examination will be free of charge to our clients and will include lameness evaluation, dental examination, ophthalmic examination, cardiac auscultation and assessment of body fat. Results of the examination will not be discussed with the owner and a full written report is provided to the practice. We will then discuss any findings to allow investigation or treatment of any problems identified. This will allow individual health care programs to be devised for particular animals.

Phase 3 – will involve evaluating long term survival and causes of mortality in older horses and follow up will be done by telephone and via postal questionnaires.

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BEVA - EMERGENCY SERVICE PROTOCOL LAUNCH

The practice has signed up to the British Equine Veterinary Association’s Emergency Services Protocol.

The protocol sets out a national standard with procedural guidelines for police and fire services with large animal rescue. Its creation was triggered by the number of horses dying slow, painful deaths in widely reported accidents on the roads and elsewhere. The aim of the new code is to minimise delays in injured animals receiving veterinary care, to maximise the chances of a positive outcome for the animal and to ensure the safety of all those involved.

We have agreed to be available to work with the emergency services in the event of an accident / incident involving horses within our area.

UPDATE ON STRANGLES VACCINATION

Still no definite word on when the strangles vaccination will be available although we are hopeful it will be back once again in 2008. As soon as we have any news of availability we will write to clients to advise.

In the meantime, a leaflet has been developed as part of strangles awareness week, to develop (STEPS) Strategy To Eradicate and Prevent Strangles which outline a voluntary code in the event of a strangles outbreak.

The aims of this code are to:

If you would like a copy of this leaflet for further information please contact the practice by telephone or email.

If there is anything you would like to see covered on the website or in future newsletters please do not hesitate to contact us either by telephone, email or post.

Strangles Vaccination website: http://www.equine-strangles.co.uk/

If you have any questions or concerns, please telephone the practice for advice on 0870 850 3817.

Update on Baby"Chewy"!

Here are some updated pictures of little Chewy Fenton – who is not so little now. He is just reaching 5 months old and currently stands at about 12hh. He is doing extremely well and is a very well put together young man. He hasn’t quite decided what colour he will be yet – so watch this space. He has recently been weaned from Lulu, his mum and has settled very well and is now being “looked after” by uncle Chief, our gelding (who is doing a great job). He will be attending his first show at Barton Equestrian Centre in November.

12 weeks old with Peter	5 Months old	Chewy with Chief

Update on the other practice horses

Lulu

My mare Lulu has now been relocated to a new livery yard for the duration of the weaning process. Thankfully both Lulu and Chewy were completely unfazed by the whole separation process (think she is glad of the peace and quiet!). Lulu will begin light lunging work between now and the end of the year. We hope to be able to get her back into ridden work in the New Year and get her back into show condition in time for her Olympia bid through the Veteran Horse Society in 2009!

Chief

Diane’s gelding Chief has had a quiet few weeks. He is currently being brought back into work again after an enforced holiday due to Diane’s ankle injury, which is now fine. He will be attending some winter shows and will be back doing working hunter next season. He also has the new and very important job of looking after young Chewy!

April

Charlotte’s mare April has had a rough time this summer. Back in June April was suffering with terrible itchiness to the point where she would rub herself until her fur came off and made herself sore. After a blood test she was diagnosed with an allergy to grasses! Not good if you are a horse….. She is now having immunotherapy treatment, which consists of weekly vaccinations initially. Once immunity is built up the injections will become less often and she will end up needing one every 6-8 weeks rather than every week. April will require these injections for the rest of her life in order to remain comfortable and eat grass and hay. Because of this Charlotte has not been able to do much in the way of showing this season but is extremely happy that April has responded well to treatment. She is now beginning to school again and may attend some winter shows with April. They will definitely be out and about again competing next season.