Services

Vaccinations

Some of the finest are offered with manufacturer guarantees.

Deworming protocols

As part of our practice philosophy, Unionville Equine Associates attempts to keep our clients informed of current advances in equine medicine. As you may be aware, significant drug resistance has developed in the equine parasite population. Unfortunately, resistance to some commonly used dewormers has been recorded at 95% in some herds of horses in the United States.

Routine dentistry

Most of our veterinarians are able to perform routine floats using both hand floats and power floats.

• Colic
• Wounds and lacerations
• Severe acute lameness
• Dystocias (abnormal/difficult birth) and sick foals
• Acutely painful or abnormal eyes
• Neurologic conditions
• Horses unable to rise
• Respiratory disease or distress

• Neurologic evaluation and fever or general illness
• Advanced diagnostics and therapeutics
• Management of chronic diseases
• Geriatric care
• Post hospitalization management

Any horse that is being considered for purchase should undergo a thorough purchase examination. This is quite possibly the most thorough examination a horse may undergo. In addition to an assessment of the horse’s history, this procedure is an exceptionally methodical medical and performance examination. The purchase examination is a valuable service when deciding to purchase a new horse. Our veterinarians customize the exam to meet the needs of each buyer. The goal of this exam is not to pass or fail the horse but to approach it as a discovery process so that the buyer can make an informed purchase. The standard purchase examination includes:

• Seller’s disclosure of medical and surgical history, current medications, current use, and work schedule, and any behavioral vices
• Buyer’s intended use and any concerns regarding the health or soundness
• Physical Exam: designed to address every body system including but not limited to the respiratory, the eyes, cranial nerves, the oral cavity, the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal system, skin and hooves, nutritional status, conformation, muscle symmetry, external genitalia, and observation/palpation for surgical scars
• Inspection and Palpation: neck, withers, back, loins, croup, all four limbs, hooves
• Gait Evaluation: walking and trotting on a hard surface, while lunging, under saddle if possible, neurologic exam
• Flexion Tests: Major joints on all four limbs are flexed to detect discomfort, and gait is evaluated following flexion to determine if lameness is induced
• Additional Diagnostic Tests Your veterinarian can advise you based on their findings whether additional diagnostic testing is appropriate. Some Buyer’s elect for all diagnostics to allow for a more thorough discovery process (additional fees apply):

• Complete Blood Count, Fibrinogen and Chemistry to assess health and organ function
• Coggins test for Equine Infectious Anemia
• Drug Test
• Digital Radiographs
• Upper Airway Endoscopic Exam
• Fecal Egg Count
• Breeding Soundness Exam if applicable
• Lameness Locater®

Please note there will be a 50% cancelation fee charged if the exam is canceled within 24 hours of the appointment.

• Lameness evaluations
• Lameness Locator
  • We are proud to offer a state- of the art diagnostic the Lameness Locator® by Equinosis™. This diagnostic tool objectively detects and quantifies body movement irregularity in a horse using small, wireless, body-mounted inertial sensors and a hand-held tablet PC. The setup of the sensors is quick, easy and non-invasive. The data is transmitted wirelessly in real time and analyzed in seconds on the tablet PC. Information provided indicates the affected limb or limbs, the severity of lameness and the timing of peak pain in the stride of each limb. This can be especially valuable when diagnosing mild lameness.

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD) is one of the main causes of lameness in horses. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage on the joint surface is damaged or destroyed, which produces pain and inflammation. Usually, therapy involves intra- articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or corticosteroids (Betavet, Depo, or Triamcinolone). We also offer multiple regenerative Injections, such as PRP, IRAP, and Prostride which you can find out more about under Regenerative therapies.

PRP

PRP utilizes technology similar to that developed for IRAP. PRP contains increased levels of many different beneficial growth factors. Like IRAP, your veterinarian will collect blood from your horse into a special syringe which is then centrifuged. However, the resultant plasma is available for injection the same day. This plasma can then be injected into a variety of acute and chronic tendon or ligament conditions. Applications include superficial and deep flexor tendonitis, suspensory desmitis, collateral ligament injuries and muscle injuries.

ACP and PRP are both exciting technologies that can be incorporated into your horse’s current recovery and rehabilitation regime.

IRAP

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP): Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cytokine that is secreted by many types of cells and plays an important role in inflammation. In the joint it accelerates the deterioration of tissues such as joint cartilage. IRAP blocks IL-1 from binding to tissues and inhibits the damaging consequences of IL-1. Your veterinarian will collect blood into a specially prepared syringe containing glass beads that stimulate production of IRAP. This syringe is then incubated overnight and centrifuged to separate the plasma (abundant with IRAP) from the blood cells. The sample is separated into individual vials and frozen for future use. Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment protocol.

Prostride

Pro-Stride is a combination of the PRP and IRAP therapies and is a steroid-free alternative to conventional joint injections. As with the other two therapies, your veterinarian will collect blood from your horse that will then be processed over 30 minutes to create a product that is rich in anti-inflammatory mediators and growth factors. As a combination product, Pro-Stride has greater anti-inflammatory properties than PRP or IRAP therapies alone. This product does not require incubation or freezing and can be injected same-day. Benefits of Pro-Stride therapy include pain relief for up to one year following a single injection and reduction of cartilage degeneration when injected intra-articularly. Pro-Stride therapy is mobile and can be performed either in our clinic or at your farm.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy can be used to treat neck, back, and pelvic pain in horses. This therapy involves using a specialized injection method to deliver medication into the middle layer of the skin known as the mesoderm.

Class 4 Therapeutic Laser

Regenerative laser therapy utilizes short, powerful laser pulses to generate acoustic waves within targeted tissues. Laser therapy can be used in the treatment of both soft tissue and bone-related injuries, and it can be used as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with other regenerative modalities. Benefits of laser therapy include reduction of scar tissue and normalization of muscle fibers, reduction of pain and inflammation, and stimulation of tissue circulation and cellular growth. At UEA, we can provide your horse with regenerative laser therapy either in our clinic or at your barn. Laser treatment sessions take only a few minutes, and each horse receives a custom treatment plan based on their individual needs.

Shockwave

Shockwave therapy is effective in the management of chronic pain and lameness caused by a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. The specific disorder must be identified prior to therapy, often using ultrasonography or radiography, in order to target the appropriate treatment area. Once the lesion had been identified high-energy sound waves called shockwaves can be delivered to that location. The reported effects of shockwave therapy are many and include enhancing nutrient delivery by increasing the blood supply to the lesion, stimulating specific cell types known to rebuild soft tissue and bone, promoting a local immune response, and directing a more linear pattern of fiber healing in tendons and ligaments. The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes and may or may not need to be repeated. Response to therapy is related to the age and type of injury.

Digital Radiology

We are proud to offer our clients the most sophisticated radiographic technology available. Digital radiography allows the veterinarian to acquire and review high-resolution radiographic images instantly on the farm or in the clinic. This enhances our ability to perfect radiographic positioning and diagnose bony lesions with improved accuracy and reduced time.

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is most commonly used for the evaluation of the urogenital system of mares for breeding management, exploring soft tissue masses, wounds, and the thoracic and abdominal organs in foals. Additionally, many of our veterinarians have received additional training in diagnosing soft tissue lesions in limbs and are equipped with advanced digital ultrasounds.

Endoscopy

• Endoscopy is the visual examination of the interior structures of the body using an endoscope. In horses, endoscopy is most commonly utilized for the evaluation of the Upper Airway. However, the endoscope is versatile and can examine other structures such as the urinary bladder and reproductive tracts. Our practice is able to offer upper airway endoscopy on the farm or in our clinic.

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is used most commonly in the horse to diagnose equine gastric ulcer syndrome(EGUS). Common signs of EGUS can be poor performance, change in behavior, poor doing, and colic. There are two main classifications of ulcers: Non-glandular ulcers(squamous) and Glandular ulcers( pyloric). Gastroscopy can be performed at your farm or in our clinic. Our practice also offers discount gastroscopy day clinics periodically throughout the year so make sure to check our upcoming events page for our future dates.

We offer a wide array of elective surgical procedures including but not limited to arthroscopy, fracture repair, upper airway, cryptorchid castration, kissing spine, neurectomy and many others! Please contact us to schedule a surgical consult.