Mobile Equine Veterinary Services
Serving the Greater San Antonio Area and South Texas. You love your horses, and you want the very best care for them.
- (210) 748-3677 Mobile
- (210) 647-1101 Office
Mobile Equine Veterinary Services is a unique, fully equipped, mobile vet service owned and operated by Eduardo Guevara, DVM. Dr. Guevara is dedicated to ascertaining and meeting the needs of both the horse and the owner. He enjoys working with horse owners to plan the best possible care for their horses. From foal care to senior care, from performance horses to pasture ornaments; Dr. Guevara is your partner in your horse’s health.
Dr. Guevara was born and raised in Carrizo Springs, TX. Animal health has always been his passion, even as a youngster in South Texas he knew he was going to be a veterinarian. He found that he had an affinity for horses at an early age and has been working with them since he could put his own boots on!
Mobile Equine Veterinary Services is the mobile division for Callaghan Road Animal Hospital’s equine patients. He makes “farm” calls in the greater San Antonio area. Whether you are a novice horse owner or an old pro, we can help you provide the best care possible.
Equine Veterinary Services
- Annual Coggins Testing
- Artificial Insemination
- Arthritis Management
- Colic
- Digestive Problems
- Emergency Care & Treatment
- Equine Dentistry
- Field Surgery
- Health Certificate (including the 6month GoPass)
- Lameness
- Equine Vaccinations
- Parasites
- Pre-purchase Examinations
- Reproduction
- Respiratory Problems
- Viruses and Bacterial Infections
Annual Coggins Testing
A Coggins test is a simple blood test that is used to help prevent the spread of Equine Infectious Anemia. It is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Equine Infectious Anemia is a viral disease that can be deadly. Unfortunately there is no vaccine or cure for it. If a patient survives the disease, they will always carry it and may become sick again if they are stressed. Some horses just seem to be carriers, never getting sick themselves.
Arthritis Management
Arthritis is a common ailment that plagues both animals and humans alike. This joint inflammation can cause pain and stiffness that can be either acute or chronic. Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors such as infection, injury, or cumulative stress from daily activity. Horses are at an additional risk for developing arthritis as issues with shoeing, trimming, hoof deformities, and genetic influences. Here at Callaghan Road Animal Hospital, we are proud to help diagnose and treat arthritis in horses.
Early treatment is always preferable so that we can often help the horse continue a comfortable career as he or she ages. This is usually achieved through a combination of rest and medication, though we may also recommend other treatment methods such as massage, chiropractic care, and/or acupuncture.
There are steps that you can take to help your horse stay comfortable in addition to seeking treatment early. We typically recommend a regimen of light exercise and light riding on a regular basis to help prevent your horse from becoming stiff. Always allow your horse time to warm up and cool down before and after periods of exercise to prevent injury. Maintain regular farrier visits to ensure that there is no additional strain to the legs and feet during exercise. Additionally, provide a balanced diet to help your horse maintain a healthy weight. This is especially important for arthritic horses.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (210) 647-1101.
Artificial Insemination
We are proud to offer artificial insemination, which can save you time and money. You won’t have to transport your mare to the stallion. Instead, the sperm can be frozen and mailed to you so that we can place it in your mare’s cervix. We are also proud to do embryo transfers so that your mare can still continue to show and train while producing offspring.
Colic
Colic is one of the most common ailments in horses, and is the leading cause of death in horses. Although the term colic is often used as a diagnosis, its true definition is simply abdominal pain and is a symptom of an ailment, injury or disease. Colic includes all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause abdominal pain, even those that do not involve the gastrointestinal tract.
Signs that your horse is suffering from colic or abdominal pain include:
- Rolling
- Pawing
- Decreased Appetite
- Constipation
- Flank Watching
- Kicking or biting at abdomen
- Stretching Abdomen (posturing to urinate frequently)
- Restlessness
- Lying down and getting up frequently
- Sweating
- Increased respiration and/or flared nostrils
Causes of colic are most often gastrointestinal in nature. Distention or expansion of the intestines (gas colic), impaction or blockage for the intestinal tract, inflammation of the intestinal lining are most commonly seen. These can often be treated with minimal medical intervention. Some cases of gas colic can cause a displacement of the large intestine which is diagnosed with rectal palpation. Medical treatment will depend on your horse’s physical exam and history.
Severe and life threatening colic is caused by obstruction with restriction or blockage of blood supply. This happens when the large or small intestines twist (twisted gut), become strangulated or entrapped. The lack of blood causes necrosis or death of the affected organs. These cause of colic require surgical intervention immediately.
If your horse is suffering from colic they may only show some of the signs listed above. If you notice any of these signs call your horse’s veterinarian immediately. Not all forms of colic need medical intervention, but your vet can make recommendations based on your horse’s history and the severity of signs. Treating colic early can be critical in preventing a mild case from becoming an emergency and in the successful treatment of urgent cases.
Dentistry
Dental care for horses differs significantly from that of humans or even cats and dogs. Due to their vegetarian diet and manner of eating, a horse’s teeth work more like a gristmill, constantly grinding and mashing down their food. The horse’s teeth are therefore designed to keep growing as an adaptation to the manner in which they eat.
Therefore, horses usually need a dental checkup every six months to have their teeth floated (evened out) in order for the horse’s bite to remain healthy, and so that their food is evenly ground for healthy swallowing and digestion. Newborn foals have their gums and tongue checked, even before the first teeth erupt, in order to evaluate and assess possible bite issues.
What You Need To Know About Horse Dental Care
As a horse owner or someone who works with horses, it is important to know what kinds of dental trouble signs to look for so that your horse is able to eat and work comfortably. As mentioned previously, your horse should receive equine dental care twice a year, but it is important for you to be aware that dental problems can happen in between those checkups so you can call for assistance if necessary.
If your horse seems to be reluctant to eat, or show any signs of pain while eating, this may be a sign that his or her teeth have developed sharp points or hooks that are poking the roof of the mouth or insides of the cheeks. The occlusal (grinding) surfaces that do the grinding will usually be worn down normally, but most horses do not have completely even grinding/bite patterns, so these hooks and points can develop and need to be filed down (floated) regularly.
If your horse seems to drop a lot of food while eating, the molars may not be meeting up properly, allowing food to escape. If your horse chokes or gags on food, this can also be a sign that the teeth are not grinding the food down enough and that there is a problem that requires horse dentistry.
A combination of bad breath and difficulty eating can signal that your horse may be suffering from horse periodontal disease and/or tooth decay.
During a horse dental checkup, your veterinarian may need to sedate your horse in order to perform the exam and floating. At the very least, a quiet dark place is needed to limit distractions and keep the horse calm so the vet can work. A speculum will be used to keep the horse’s mouth open so that your veterinarian can rinse out and examine each tooth, the gums, tongue and all of the mouth’s tissues for inflammation, odors, lesions, etc.
Dental health is very important for good horse health and wellness. Be sure to have your veterinarian check your horse’s teeth twice a year, and do not hesitate to call if any problems arise between scheduled appointments.
Lameness
The number one complaint for horses, lameness can be caused by a long list of problems. Know your horse’s healthy gait and be able to recognize any changes in it quickly. Even head bobbing can be a sign of lameness as your horse tries to compensate for pain in other areas of its body. The most common causes of lameness in horses are sprains, strains and fractures, degenerative diseases such as arthritis, and hoof problems such as abscesses and laminitis. To prevent sprains and strains, keep horses well-conditioned for the jobs they do and do not overwork them. Also, check your horse’s hooves carefully at the end of each day for any shoe problems, stones, cracks or abnormalities. Contact your veterinarian immediately for assistance at the first signs of lameness.
Digestive Problems
Horses have very complex and sensitive digestive systems and are easily susceptible to colic (a catchall term for a wide variety of potentially fatal digestive problems). Be sure your horse eats a proper, clean diet (gradually, throughout the day) with plenty of fresh, clean water. If your horse is reluctant to eat, is constipated, nips at his or her sides, is drooling, teeth clenching, parking, getting up and down frequently, or showing any other signs of pain, call an equine veterinarian immediately. Digestive problems can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Emergency
Here at Callaghan Road Animal Hospital, we are proud to be here for our patients in times of emergency. We know that emergencies happen and usually at the worst time. Don’t worry! We are here for you no matter what time it is.
It is our goal to get your horse feeling better as quickly as possible, and we will do everything we can to help. Our veterinarians are dedicated to your horse. After a thorough examination, we will go over your options for diagnosing and treating your horse so that he or she can get back to normal quickly. We will then do everything we can to make sure that your horse feels better as soon as possible.
We know how stressful emergencies can be on owners so we are also here for you. We will be happy to assess the situation and go over your options. We will give you all the time you need to make sure you are making the best decision for your horse.
If you are having an emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (210) 647-1101.
Viruses and Bacterial Infections
Making sure your horse is always up-to-date on his or her core vaccinations (and any other vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian based on your horse’s geography, travel, work, lifestyle and health conditions) is critical to preventing painful and potentially deadly diseases. Every horse should be vaccinated against West Nile virus, rabies, tetanus and eastern/western equine encephalitis. Other possibly beneficial vaccines include botulism, anthrax, Equine viral arteritis, Equine influenza, Equine herpesvirus (EHV), Potomac horse fever, rotavirus and streptococcus equi. Talk regularly with your veterinarian about your horse’s vaccination schedule and needs.
Respiratory Problems
Many horses develop allergy and asthma-like symptoms called “heaves” when they are exposed to molds and dust from old hay and straw. Coughing and phlegm are symptoms, and shortness of breath in horses is a medical emergency.
Vaccinations
Every mammal comes into contact with potentially dangerous viruses and bacterial infections in the course of daily life, and horses are no different. This makes vaccinations a critical component of a comprehensive horse wellness plan. Horse vaccines provide protection against several dangerous and even potentially deadly diseases by stimulating a horse’s immune system. People who care for horses often have many questions about how horse vaccinations work, what vaccinations their horses need, and when their horses need to be vaccinated.
Vaccines are essential for good health because they prepare a horse’s immune system to recognize and destroy potentially harmful pathogens before he or she comes into contact with the pathogen in daily life. The veterinarian will inject a serum into the horse that contains deactivated-live or dead components of an infectious bacteria or virus. These components do not make the horse ill, but they do stimulate the horse’s immune system to create antibodies customized to destroy those particular pathogens. This enables the horse to have a high level of immunity against that disease when he or she encounters it in the wild, thus preventing the horse from suffering a painful or potentially deadly infection.
There are many vaccinations for horses, some of which are considered essential for all horses (core), while others are recommended depending on the individual horse and his or her lifestyle (non-core). The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends that all horses receive vaccinations against rabies, tetanus, West Nile Virus, and eastern/western equine encephalitis. These are high-risk pathogens that are common throughout the country and have a high rate of infection and are very often deadly—which is why vaccinations against these diseases are considered “core” or essential for every horse.
Non-core horse vaccinations can be administered by your veterinarian based on how “at-risk” your horse is for those diseases. You and your veterinarian will need to discuss what diseases are prevalent in your area, your horse’s health condition, and your horse’s lifestyle. If your horse travels frequently for shows or works in areas where certain pathogens are endemic, your horse will be best served by getting extra vaccinations to protect against those diseases. Some examples of non-core horse vaccinations are: anthrax, botulism, Equine viral arteritis, Equine herpesvirus (EHV), Equine influenza, Potomac horse fever, streptococcus equi and rotavirus.
When does a horse need to be vaccinated? Generally speaking, foals born to vaccinated mares (who pass on some immunity at birth for a short period of time) should start an initial core vaccination schedule at six months. They will need boosters when they are seven and eight (or nine) months old. For the course of the horse’s life, they will also need booster shots, some each year, some more or some less frequently, depending up on the particular inoculation.
Talk with your horse’s veterinarian today to make sure your horse’s vaccination schedule is current and providing him or her with the protection needed to stay healthy.
Parasites
Horses are often unwilling hosts to pinworms, ticks, lice, tapeworms, lungworms and roundworms. Stick to a proper deworming and bathing schedule and keep the paddocks and stables cleaned out regularly. If your horse seems itchy or is losing hair, call the veterinarian.
Awareness, prevention and prompt action for these and other health concerns can save your horse’s life. Never hesitate to call your veterinarian if you suspect your horse is in trouble.
Pre-purchase Exam
When purchasing a horse, it may be required that the animal have a pre-purchase exam performed. This allows an equine veterinarian to examine and detect any existing or potential health issues that may affect the horse.
There are four phases to a prepurchase exam, in which our equine veterinarians assess a horse’s complete condition. Beginning with a thorough identification of the horse’s distinguishing characteristics, we then move on to examining the horse’s body and internal organs.
If you have any questions about pre-purchase exams, please contact us today at (210) 647-1101.
Reproduction
Horse breeding is a multi-million dollar international industry, with some breeders earning millions in sire rights by breeding award-winning male horses. For purebred horses, careful selection of the male parent (the “sire”) and the female parent (the “dam”) is essential to successful breeding. From conception to foaling, horse breeding today is carefully managed through modern technology. Whether you are breeding horses for racing, equestrian competition or the family farm, a firm understanding of the breeding and foaling process will ensure a successful outcome.
Horse Breeding 101
Before breeding your mare, be sure she is insured. Many equine mortality policies offer major medical insurance for an additional premium. This is a smart investment should complications occur during foaling. In the unlikely event that you lose your mare, this emotional loss will not be compounded by financial loss.
While wild horses typically breed and foal in mid to late spring, domesticated breed for competition requires horses to be foaled as close to January 1st as possible for maximum competitive advantage in the Northern Hemisphere. To help stimulate the ovulation process during winter, keep your mare under barn lights to mimic a longer day. A mare signals that ovulation is occurring by urinating in the presence of a stallion and raising her tail to reveal the vulva.
Once an egg is fertilized, it will remain in the oviduct for 5.5 days before descending into the uterus; fixation will occur on day 16. By day 21, the embryo will be visible on a trans-rectal ultrasound, with a heartbeat detectable by day 23. The placenta will form around day 40 to 45 of pregnancy. The sex can be determined using ultrasound on day 70. The entire gestation process is approximately 11 months.
Advanced planning will make the foaling process go as easily as possible for both you and your mare. While some mares can handle foaling on their own, it is best for you and your veterinarian to be present in order to offer assistance if needed. While the majority of mares will foal 330 to 340 days from breeding, some may foal as early as 320 days. Mares should be immunized four weeks in advance of foaling with vaccines specifically approved for pregnant mares. These vaccines will stimulate the mare to produce antibodies, which will be passed to the foal in the mare’s colostrum.
Prior to foaling, prepare a foaling stall. Foaling happens quickly once it begins, so closely monitor your mare in the days leading up to the expected foaling date. Wrapping the mare’s tail will make it easier to see underneath the body prior to foaling. Following foaling, a mare will lick the foal to clean it and stimulate circulation. A new foal should be able to stand and get milk from its mother within an hour of birth.
If you are considering breeding your horses, talk to your veterinarian to learn more about what to expect and how best to prepare.