Torch Equine Vets Newsletter – December 2021

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Newsletter December 2021

Congratulations to all our clients who qualified and competed at the coveted Horse of the Year Show 2021.
It was a very special year for Cathy Wood who bred ‘Tell Me Another’ who was crowned Price Family Supreme in Hand Champion. This 3 year year old gelding by ‘Future Illusion’ is out of Cathy’s and Margaret Boyle’s very successful

mare ‘Kiss N Tell’.
‘Tell Me Another’ was purchased by Regina Daly as a foal and has since been produced expertly by Steve Pitt, picking up many championships along the way. This outstanding gelding now goes on to

be shown under saddle by Robert Walker. His dam, ‘Kiss N Tell’ also had her five year old Daughter ‘ Time will Tell’ competing at HOYS for the first time under saddle with Vicky Smith. Hopefully one day she will be breeding the next

generation of show winners.
Breeding horses is full of ups and downs but when you have days like this it makes all the hours of

work worthwhile, congratulations to all involved.

WINTER WORMING

We recommend all horses receive a winter dose of moxidectin to target encysted small red worm larvae with tapeworm treatment included if it hasn’t already been given earlier in the year.

Look out for your winter dose of Equest Pramox coming to you in the post over the coming weeks if you are a member of our Equine Total Health Care Plan or Total Worming Programme.

Has your horse’s behaviour changed recently, or performance deteriorated?

Often when we think of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), we think of racehorses or competition horses exposed to intensive training programmes and increased amounts of stress.

But the diet, feeding and management of any horse, plus any underlying disease or medication, can play a big part in the health of the digestive tract of your horse.

Increased amounts of stabling and reduced turnout at this time of year can make the equine population particularly susceptible to occurrences of gastric ulcers, no matter their job or breed.

Does my horse have ulcers?
Signs of ulceration can be vague and often mistaken for other symptoms or behavioural problems.

• Poor performance or a drop in performance • Weight loss or inability to maintain condition
• Resistance to girthing
• Resistance to riding aids.

What to do if you suspect gastric ulcers?

The best way for us to confirm diagnosis is to perform a gastroscopy. This involves passing an endoscopic video camera into the stomach to assess the presence of ulceration.

If found, we will grade the ulcers which allows us to monitor healing and evaluate how effective the treatment is.

Book onto our gastroscopy clinic day!

On 21st January we will be holding a gastroscopy clinic at Mullacott Veterinary Practice for just £185 inc vat including sedation.
For more information, and to book your horse in, please call us on 01271 879516.

Congratulations to Nathalie Van Heesewijk who has obtained her second Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (AVP). This was in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and complements her interest in Lameness and poor performance. The certificate culminated in a series of face to face examinations and was completed over a 18 month period. Considering this coincided with the Covid 19 pandemic, a very busy period for the practice and Nathalie’s first 6 months of pregnancy this was no mean feat, well done Nathalie and we look forward to seeing you when you return later in 2022.

Keep an eye on our social media pages for a second series of Virtual client evenings over the 2021/2022 winter. The lectures by Veterinary Specialists in their field were extremely well attended by clients last year and we look forward to this year’s series based on your suggestions.

Dr Charlotte Rutter BVSc MRCVS

Charlly graduated from the University of Liverpool in July 2020. She enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary work whilst having a keen interest in equine reproduction. Prior to joining our team in October 2021, Charlly completed an Equine Stud Medicine Internship and wishes to pursue this specialist interest further by working towards a certificate in the future.

Charlly loves all things water-sports and is a qualified RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing instructor. When she isn’t out on the water, Charlly also enjoys hiking and working out in the gym.

After such a busy year for the Equine Team with the building works, the impact of Covid and the hospital
being empty for a period of time it has been lovely to have horses back in the stables again.

With our new client facing reception area it is great to see our clients face to face once again.

Dr Emily Bissett BVM&S MRCVS

Emily studied Molecular Biology at The University of Bath before completing graduate entry Veterinary Medicine at The RDSVS in Edinburgh. After graduating, she spent 3 1/2 years in a fully mixed practice in Cornwall. Emily enjoy’s all aspects of equine work but has a particular interest in lameness and poor performance.
In her spare time, Emily enjoys crossfit and Ioves to get out running the coastal paths with her dog Morris.

Christmas Opening hours

24th – 24 hour emergency service from 1pm
25th -28th – 24 hour emergency service
29th & 30th – normal office opening

hours
31st – 24 hour emergency service

from 5pm
1st-3rd Jan – 24 hour emergency service

Baby news!

We wave goodbye to vets Becky, Nathalie & nursing technician Carly as they leave to start their Maternity leave. They will be very much missed but we wish them all the best and cant wait to see photos of their new

arrivals!

Wishing all our clients a healthy & happy Christmas!