Services

Routine Heath Checks

We carry out routine health checks as standard with all vaccinations and dental procedures. We recommend all equines have a thorough annual health check as this will help detect many conditions early which will help improve the outcome of any treatment undertaken.

24 Hour Emergency Cover

We provide our own emergency out of hours cover with all calls taken by an answering service who then contact the vet on call. There is a surcharge for services provided out of hours and all treatment must be paid for at the time of consultation

Vaccinations

Celtic Equine Vets recommend that all horses should be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and tetanus. Horses may also be vaccinated against Equine Herpes virus.

Equine influenza
The primary vaccination course consists of 3 injections with 4-6 weeks between the first and second injection and 5 months between the second and third. Boosters can be given annually however in light of the increased levels of circulating flu virus we recommend horses be vaccinated against flu every 6 months. All horses competing in FEI competitions require a flu vaccination within 6 months + 21 days of the competition and no vaccination shall be given within 7 days of the day of arrival at the FEI event. Most other equine organisations now require horses to have had their flu vaccination within the 6 months prior to the competition. Many venues now require horses to have had their flu vaccinations every 6 months.

The World Organisation for Animal Health recommends that the influenza vaccine contains the Ohio/03 and Newmarket/2/93 strains. Currently, only one vaccine on the UK market contains these recommended strains. We are using this vaccine because it provides the best protection for your horse.

Tetanus
The primary vaccination consists of 2 injections 4-6 weeks apart. A booster is then required 12 months later and then every 2 years. Tetanus can be given as a combined injection with influenza (see above).

EHV (Equine Herpes Virus)
For active immunisation of horses to reduce clinical signs due to infection with Equine Herpesvirus 1 and 4, two doses should be given 4-6 weeks apart followed by 6 monthly boosters. To reduce abortion due to EHV-1 infection, pregnant mares should be vaccinated during the 5th, 7th and 9th month of pregnancy.

Routine and Advanced Dentistry

Alan, Chloe, Lauren and Eli are experienced in all aspects of routine dentistry. Alan has a particularly strong interest in equine dentistry and is experienced in all aspects of advanced dentistry and takes dental referrals from local Equine Dental Technicians (EDTs). Celtic Equine Vets has invested in new and modern dental equipment including portable battery powered mechanical rasps which allows for detailed and precise rasping.

We are equipped to deal with all aspects of equine dentistry from routine care to standing oral extractions under sedative infusions and regional local anaesthetic nerve blocks. We also have invested in specially designed pony size mouth gags and head stands so we can professionally treat smaller ponies and miniature horses.

If radiographs are necessary as part of any dental investigation or treatment, we can take these on the yard with our portable X-ray machines.

Our routine dental packages include the sedation that is required to perform a thorough dental examination and any required dental treatment or rasp.

Medical Investigations

Through the use of our portable diagnostic equipment (X-ray, ultrasound, video endoscope and gastroscope) and referral of blood and tissue samples to specialist laboratories, we are able to investigate and treat many complex medical conditions. Conditions such as cardiac, respiratory and gut related issues such as colic, weight loss and diarrhoea can all be investigated at your premises.

Lameness Investigations

With our portable digital x-ray and ultrasound equipment and use of local anaesthetic nerve blocks, we can conduct lameness or poor performance investigations at your premises. We work closely with many farriers and can advise remedial farriery with the support of radiographs when required. These can be e-mailed to specialist orthopaedic vets for referral or second opinion when required.

Stud Medicine

We offer a host of services for broodmares, stallions and newborn foals.

Broodmare:

  • Routine sampling for CEM (and other venereal diseases) EVA and EIA testing: should be done after the first of January each year.
  • Fertility checks.
  • Preparation for natural covering or artificial insemination.
  • Artificial insemination.
  • Pregnancy diagnosis.
  • Management of Twin pregnancies.
  • Pregnancy follow-up.
  • Assisted deliveries.

Stallion:

  • Routine sampling for CEM (and other venereal diseases) EVA and EIA testing: should be done after the first of January each year.
  • Castration.

New Born Foal:

  • Routine health check.
  • Blood sampling for IgG estimation.
  • Umbilical scanning

Our pregnancy scans at just £57.50 offer excellent value for money.  Please contact the office for package prices for Chilled Semen Insemination.  We are working towards having the practice BEVA accredited for Artifical Insemination in the near future.

Microchipping

All newborn foals must be implanted with a microchip before 6 months of age, also since October 2020 all equines of any age must have a microchip. We are happy to implant our own microchips or those chips supplied by the relevant breed society.

Worming Advice and Programmes

We advocate targeted worming wherever possible, through the use of fecal worm egg counts and will help create and advise on each horse’s tailored worming programme.

Castration

Our castration packages include sedation, local anaesthetic, pain relief, and a 5 day course of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics. The only additional costs are tetanus anti-toxin if the animal is not vaccinated for tetanus and a visit charge. We can perform standing open castration and recumbent closed castration surgeries at the client’s premises, depending on the size and age of the colt. Please contact the office for further information. Owners are sent an information sheet in advance of the castration procedure with advice on what to expect and what is required on the day of the operation.

Pre-purchase Examination

We strongly recommend a five stage pre–purchase examination for any horse you are considering buying. This normally takes up to two hours and comprises a thorough examination of the horse at rest and exercise following the industry standard protocol outlined by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA). A blood sample is also taken and kept in storage for 6 months. Depending on the value of the horse, a 5 stage vetting certificate may be required by insurance companies for full coverage, and often x-rays will be requested for high value horses.

Laboratory Services

We use specialist laboratories that provide fast accurate results within 24 hours of sending a sample. Using an external laboratory also provides us with the opinion of some of the country’s top veterinary pathologists and internal medicine experts.

Referrals

We have close links with the all the referral equine hospitals in the South for cases that require advanced treatment or surgery.