Larch Veterinary Services

09/04/2026

This is a radiograph of a horse's skull. From this view we can see the horse's sinuses and their overlapping cheek teeth.

But this radiograph is not normal. There is evidence of disease here.

See if you can identify the problem area! 🕵 Then check the comments for an explanation.

09/02/2026

Our office will be closed for the upcoming long weekend, September 5th-7th 🍁🌻

If you have an equine emergency during this time, please call 778-562-5455 and our on-call veterinarian will assist you.

08/28/2026

Supporting Joint Health🐎

We ask a lot of our horses' joints — especially our performance horses. Every turn, stop, jump, and stride puts stress on the joints, so why wait until there’s a problem to start supporting them?

There are countless joint supplements on the market, but nutraceuticals are not regulated to the same standard as medications, and not many products have good evidence behind them. 4CYTE™ EPIITALIS® Forte Gel is one joint supplement we can genuinely recommend.

🌿 Contains EPIITALIS®, a patented plant seed oil that has been studied for its effects on joint inflammation and osteoarthritis.

🦴 Research and clinical trials have demonstrated effects on reducing joint inflammation and supporting chondrocytes — the cells responsible for maintaining and repairing cartilage.

🏇 We recommend it for:
• Performance horses as part of a proactive joint-support program
• Horses with osteoarthritis to help manage inflammation

4CYTE™ is palatable, safe, and backed by published research, and the company offers a satisfaction guarantee.
It is completely drug free and therefore does not test at competitions.

It has been recommended by numerous respected veterinary practices and equine surgeons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTCrjq-qJZc

📚 Published research: [https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.858391](https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.858391)

Ask us about 4CYTE EPIITALIS® Forte Gel and whether it may be a good fit for your horse. 🐎

08/21/2026

*Viewer discretion advised - the picture of the original wound is graphic*

Equine lower limb wound healing 🐴 ❤

This horse sustained a significant laceration to the dorsal aspect of her right hind leg. The laceration extended through all tissues, leaving about 5 inches of exposed bone.

Lacerations in this area are under a significant amount of tension. The hock is a high motion joint and equine lower limbs have very little extra tissue. This makes both wound repair and healing more challenging.

Dr. Shelby Krywonos attended, ensured that the horse was stable, and then got to work. This repair involved pain medications, sedation, local numbing, extensive cleaning and debridement, and finally suturing the wound closed. The horse was continued on pain medications, placed on antibiotics, and kept on stall rest. Her owner diligently changed her bandages and cared for her.

After suture removal, our vets were back out as needed to debride excessive granulation tissue (aka proud flesh) to allow the skin to grow over .

This horse is on her way to making a full recovery! 🐴 ❤

08/17/2026

🦷 What is EOTRH?

Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) is a painful, progressive dental disease that primarily affects the incisors (front teeth) and sometimes the canine teeth of middle-aged to older horses.

With EOTRH, the tooth is gradually resorbed (destroyed) by the body. In response, the body attempts to repair the damage by laying down excessive amounts of cementum, one of the tissues that makes up a tooth. Unfortunately, this healing response is abnormal and does not stop the disease from progressing.

🔍 What causes EOTRH?

The exact cause is still unknown, but factors that may contribute include:
• Certain bacteria and other microorganisms in the mouth
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Limited access to grazing
• Concurrent health conditions such as PPID (Cushing's disease)
• Trauma
• Genetics

⚠️ What are the signs?

Many horses show no obvious signs early on, as the disease develops gradually. In many cases, changes are first detected during a routine annual dental examination, and dental radiographs (X-rays) are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

As the disease progresses, horses may develop:
• Difficulty grazing or biting into carrots and apples
• Reluctance or fussiness when wearing a bit
• Inflamed or receding gums
• Bulbous swellings around the tooth roots
• Draining tracts along the gums
• Loose or fractured incisors in advanced cases

🩻 How is it diagnosed?

A thorough oral examination can raise suspicion, but dental radiographs are essential for a definitive diagnosis and to determine how many teeth are affected.

💙 How is it treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for EOTRH. The treatment of choice is usually extraction of the affected teeth to eliminate the source of pain.

The good news? Horses adapt remarkably well to life without their incisors. Once painful teeth are removed, most horses return to eating comfortably and experience a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Regular annual dental examinations are the best way to detect EOTRH early, before your horse is showing obvious signs of discomfort.

08/13/2026

🐴 MICROCHIPPING YOUR HORSE 🐴

A microchip is a small, permanent form of identification that can help keep your horse identifiable throughout their lifetime.

🔹 Natural disasters
In situations like wildfires, floods, or other emergencies, horses can become separated from their owners. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification to help reunite horses with their owners.

🔹 Theft & loss
Unlike tags, halters, or other forms of identification that can be removed or lost, a microchip stays with your horse.

🔹 Competitions
Microchip identification is required for horses competing at FEI-recognized competitions.

🔹 Safe & easy
Microchips are quick and easy to place and provide long-term identification with minimal discomfort to your horse.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) board of directors has approved a new position statement on Microchips for the Identification of Equids that supports implantation of ISO-compliant radiofrequency identification devices (RFID) and standardization in procedures. According to the...

08/11/2026

Smoke keeping you out of the saddle? Your horse can still get a great workout on the ground.

A simple obstacle course of poles at varying heights is one of the best low-intensity back and core exercises you can do. Walking over raised poles asks your horse to lift each leg higher, round through the back, and engage the deep stabilizing muscles along the spine and abdomen — the same muscles that support a rider. Research on pole work shows increased range of motion through the back and greater activation of those core stabilizers compared to walking on flat ground.

Ideas to set up:
- Poles flat on the ground, then a few raised on one end, then both ends
- Vary the heights within the course so your horse has to think
- Keep spacing even and appropriate for your horse's stride
- 10-15 minutes is plenty — this is harder work than it looks

A few notes: start low and add height gradually, use safe poles that will roll if stepped on, and pick good footing. And check your air quality index first — even in-hand work should wait for a better day when smoke levels are high (10+). Horses have a large lung surface area and can't choose to breathe less.

Questions about what's appropriate for your horse's fitness or soundness level? Give us a call.

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Jessica Hannah and Angelo demonstrating an advanced course today. He walked this 5-6 times.

08/07/2026

🐴 Could Your Horse Have PPID (Equine Cushing’s Disease)?

As horses age, subtle changes can sometimes signal something more. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is a common hormonal condition that affects many older horses, but diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference.

🔎 Common signs of PPID include:
• A long or curly coat that doesn’t shed normally
• Increased drinking and urination
• Weight loss or muscle wasting
• Recurrent hoof abscesses or laminitis
• Lethargy or reduced performance
• Frequent infections or slow wound healing

💙 The good news? PPID can often be managed successfully with medication, regular veterinary care, and appropriate nutrition.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your horse, talk to your veterinarian about whether PPID testing is appropriate.

PPID is most easily diagnosed in the months of August-October due to natural rises in horse's hormone levels. 🐎

08/03/2026

To our clients and community members affected by the fires and evacuations, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. ❤️

We remain available for equine emergencies and are here to support you and your horses. Our doctors have already been responding to emergency calls and will continue to provide care as needed.

Please stay safe, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need us.