CHECK YOUR CALENDAR

SPRING / SUMMER 2008

HELP US HELP YOU:

Our office phone lines continue to be extremely busy. Sheila and I are often unable to return non-emergency phone calls as quickly as we would like. For your convenience, we suggest that if you have questions or concerns that are non-emergency in nature, such as information questions, scheduling routine appointments, billing concerns, prescription refills, or health certificates, that you take advantage of our e-mail address.

drlauraharris@cox.net

E-mail will be checked once daily at a minimum, and every effort will be made to answer them within 24 hours. If you e-mail us with an appointment request be sure to include an appropriate telephone number so that Sheila can call you with scheduling choices. For prescription refills at an outside pharmacy please include the pharmacy phone number and a prescription number if available.

Occasionally everyone experiences interruption of internet service. If we have not responded to an e-mail in 24 hours please either resend or telephone ( 602 494 9669 ). We hope that e-mail communication will help expedite our service to you, but we also continue to welcome your telephone calls at any time on any subject.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE IT GETS HOT:

1. Be sure that you are ready for the early spring rains
   1. have plenty of bedding, grindings, or shavings stored
   2. be sure that your barn roofs and shades are ready for the winds and possible micro-bursts and wind shear
   3. clear gutters and drainage ditches and culverts
   4. have plenty of feed and hay stored in case deliveries are delayed or interrupted
   5. have trailers parked so that you can get them off property without getting stuck
2. If you plan to travel to another state with your horse(s), be sure that you have a current Coggins test. Most states require a Coggins test once yearly but California and Nevada require retesting every six months. It takes about 3 days to get a new blood test run through the lab after a veterinarian draws the blood.
3. "Spring" vaccinations should be given approximately six months after "fall" vaccinations were given or two weeks before major group competitions or travel. (See the FAQ page on this website.) If your horse has not had dental work done within the past twelve months we strongly suggest that you request that a dentist accompany Dr. Harris on the vaccination appointment. (See the Equine Dentistry article on the CE page of this website.)
4. Remember to deworm your horse(s) every eight to twelve weeks using alternating products. (See the product chart near the bottom of the FAQ page on this website.)

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

1. http://www.soft-ride.com an excellent protective and supportive boot to be worn as the hoof heals and repairs itself after injury or during laminitic episodes
2. http://www.platinumperformance.com excellent quality vitamin, mineral and specific need supplements for horses, dogs, cats and people
3. http://www.heifer.org a non-profit organization dedicated to providing livestock to families in under-privileged regions worldwide
4. http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org a non-profit organization that funds research to improve healthcare for all breeds of animals
5. http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/emergency/emergency.pdf emergency preparedness and evacuation workbook for family members and animals
6. http://drfostersmith.com ExStress equine supplement – calming agent – can be used at USEF competitions
7. http://www.foalcare.com excellent organizational materials and information for equine healthcare programs for both large and small barns and training facilities

CHANGES IN USEF MEDICATION REGULATIONS:

1. Ketoprofen should be given at the recommended dose / pound no closer than 6 hours prior to competition.
2. EQUIOXX is now acceptable for use at USEF competitions. (See the CE page on this website for a link to the complete USEF Drugs and Medication Program regulatons.)

PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN THE ARIZONA SUMMER:

1. As soon as daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees it is Advisable to add electrolyte powder (available from your feed store) to your horses’ feed daily. NEVER ADD ELECTROLYTES TO A HORSE’S WATER – IF THEY DON’T LIKE THE TASTE THEY MAY NOT DRINK AT ALL !
2. High velocity fans under the shades or in the stalls will Help circulate air for cooling and will reduce flies as the flies will not cross the moving air stream.
3. Horses will consume more water from a barrel or water trough that from the smaller or paddle style automatic waterers. Consider adding a trough or barrel to your horse’s stall or pen in the summer. If you use automatic waterers be sure that the water lines are not in the direct sun and that the water in the automatic waterer bowl is not hot.
4. Be certain that your horse sweats normally every time that it is worked. (See article on anhydrosis on the CE page of this website.)