Vaccination Strategies 

Adults

Recommend annual vaccinations to protect against the following common pathogens

  • Western and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis
  • West Nile Virus
  • Tetanus
  • Rabies

Ideal timing and frequency of vaccination is dependent on gender, use, age, and previous vaccination status.

Additional vaccinations to consider base on risk for exposure

  • Equine Influenza Virus (EIV)
  • Equine Herpes Virus type 1 and 4 (EHV-1/EHV-4)
  • Streptococcus (Strangles)
  • Rhinovirus
  • Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
  • Anthrax
  • Botulism
  • Leptospirosis
  • Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)
  • Rotavirus

Foals and Weanlings

Recommended vaccination to protect against the following pathogens

  • Western and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis
  • West Nile Virus
  • Tetanus
  • Rabies

Ideal timing and frequency of vaccination is dependent on age and previous vaccination status of the individual and its mare.

Additional vaccination to consider base on risk for exposure

  • Equine Influenza Virus (EIV)
  • Equine Herpes Virus type 1 and 4 (EHV-1/EHV-4)
  • Streptococcus (Strangles)
  • Rhinovirus
  • Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
  • Anthrax
  • Botulism
  • Leptospirosis
  • Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)
  • Rotavirus

These vaccination recommendations are based around the guidelines created by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Infectious Disease Committee. These guidelines and charts were reviewed and updated by the committee & Vaccination Guidelines Subcommittee and approved by the Board of Directors in 2020.  The most up-to-date information can be found by clicking the link here.

Please contact us at 618-357-0983 to create a protocol specific to your horse’s needs. 

Dental Care

Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC offers dental services for horses at your home or stable.  Dr. Cressey will examine your horse’s mouth and then create a treatment plan to address basic dental needs.  If your horse has advanced dental changes, he or she will be referred for treatment.  Sedation will be administered to your horse to allow Dr. Cressey to properly examination of the mouth and provide subsequent treatment.  Battery powered floats with diamond burrs will be used to correct uncomplicated dental issues.

When was the last time you had your horse’s teeth cleaned? 

Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC along with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), recommends that all horses have a yearly oral examination.

Signs of Dental Disease in Horses 

When it comes to detecting potential oral health problems in horses, owners must be vigilant in noticing changes in behavior. This is because equines often do not act like they are in pain until the pain is severe. If you notice any of the signs below, it is important that you contact us to schedule a dental examination to determine if further care such as a dental float or other treatment is needed.

Common signs that your horse needs a Dental Exam

  • Dropping Feed
  • Suddenly Not Eating
  • Dropping clumps of food
  • Head tilt while eating
  • Increased Salivation
  • Weight Loss
  • Fussing with the Bridle
  • Facial Swelling
  • Mouth Odor
  • Nasal Discharge

The following is a great article from AAEP on when your horse’s mouth may need veterinary attention, click here to read.  

To learn more about our equine dental services, call us at (618) 357-0983 today.

Parasite Control

Horses can become infected, infested or irritated by a variety of external and internal parasites.

Common external parasites include: ticks, flies, mites, lice, mosquitos.  There are a variety of topical sprays, wipes, dusts and pour on treatments available. The best treatment is dependent on proper identification of the problem organism.  Prevention can be aimed at the environment and/or at specific identified individuals. Proper cleaning of the housing space, grooming tools, etc. will help reduce the spread to other animals.  Other important factors to consider in prevention of infection with external parasites is good nutrition, proper body condition, vaccination against diseases spread by external parasites and management of internal parasites.

Common internal parasites include: Cyathostomins (small strongyles) and tapeworms are the most common internal parasite in adult horses.  While the roundworm or Parascaris spp is the most common internal parasite in young horses.  Once common Strongylus vulgaris and other large strongyles are now rare internal parasites of the horse.  Treatment plans for internal parasite control should be developed following fecal egg count (FEC) surveillance.  This helps to minimize the risk of parasite resistance that has become highly prevalent in the small strongyle and roundworm populations.  Treatment and prevention of internal parasites can be provided via a variety of oral liquids, pastes and pellets.  Horses that are 3 years of age or younger tend to be the most at risk for internal parasites and will be of high focus when planning parasite prevention.

Please contact us at 618-357-0983 to create a protocol specific to your horse’s needs. 

Acute Illness and Injury Management 

Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC is available to help diagnose and treat acute illnesses and address minor injuries.  Dr. Cressey is able to examine and collect appropriate samples for testing for the most common viral and bacterial causes respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases illnesses your horse may face.  She will create a treatment plan for management of clinical signs until a proper diagnosis can be made.   Once a diagnosis is made, she will adjust treatment as needed to get the most effective outcome for your horse.

Dr. Cressey is capable of managing the following issues:

  • Management of the early signs of colic
  • Management of acute lameness
  • Management of small wounds that might need closure or bandaging
  • If there is additional need, please call to go over details of the situation to determine if Dr. Cressey has the appropriate tools to help.

Coggins and Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

Annual Coggins or Equine Infectious Anemia Virus testing is advised and often required for horses that are traveling.  Dr. Cressey is happy to set up a time to pull a blood sample from your horse and submit for Coggins testing.  There are several tests available, which have variable turnaround times.  The quicker the test, the more costly to run, so plan ahead and schedule your test well in advance of your departure date.  Dr. Cressey will be providing digital Coggins via the GVL platform, this means digital images will be collected of your horse via cell phone or tablet and all paperwork will be submitted electronically.  Your copy of the Coggins test will have pictures of your horse instead of the previously hand drawn images.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or Health Papers are also required of any horses traveling across state lines but sometimes within the state as well.  Be sure to check the travel or show requirements before loading your horse up for a trip.  Timing for CVI varies state to state and show to show so check the guidelines and schedule appropriately.  Some states require import permit numbers that must be obtained following a negative Coggins test result and prior to travel.  Dr. Cressey will be providing electronic CVIs via the GVL platform.  This means we will send the CVI via email rather than a traditional paper carbon copy.

Horse Euthanasia

Service Coming Soon…

Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC based out of Ava, IL will be offering home euthanasia options for your equine companions.   Euthanasia is something most people would rather not think about.  Unfortunately, horses become old and ill which can lead to facing times of pain and suffering or they experience a severe traumatic event without a cure.  When a horse gets to this point, humane euthanasia is one of the most caring and compassionate things an owner can do for their horse.

Understanding When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC understands it can be difficult for horse owners to determine when it’s time to say goodbye to their beloved horse, especially if your horse has good days and bad days.

It is a good idea to create a written record on a calendar of your horse’s daily activities or changes in behavior. This will help in making good decisions about euthanasia.

If you are unsure as to whether it’s time to say goodbye, Dr. Cressey can evaluate your horse’s health and answer your questions in order to help you make a decision. Below are a few symptoms that may indicate that your horse is ready to pass over rainbow bridge:

  • Your horse is in chronic pain that cannot be alleviated with medication
  • Your horse has stopped eating and/or has lost or he or she is losing weight despite having a good eating a good diet
  • Your horse has chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea that cannot be controlled despite veterinary care and treatment
  • Your horse’s activity levels have dropped
  • Your horse can no longer stand or walk on his or her own
  • Your horse has become severely wounded or injured.

For questions about horse euthanasia or to schedule an appointment with Cardinal Veterinary Services PLLC, please call (618) 357-0983 today. Dr. Cressey would be happy to help make this difficult process a little easier for your family.