Larch Veterinary Services

06/19/2026

06/12/2026

🩺 Ultrasound in Equine Veterinary Medicine

Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tools used in modern equine practice. It allows veterinarians to safely and non-invasively visualize soft tissues, boney surfaces, and internal organs in real time — right at the farm.

🐴 Common uses for equine ultrasound include:

• Diagnosing soft tissue injuries and lameness cases
• Evaluating tendons, ligaments, and muscle injuries
• Imaging reproductive structures
• Abdominal ultrasound for colic cases
• Assessing lung disease and other internal conditions
• Guiding precise injection techniques for joints and other structures

Ultrasound guidance can improve accuracy for advanced joint injection procedures including:
✔ Cervical facets
✔ Sacroiliac joint
✔ Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

06/11/2026

💧 Now Available at Larch Veterinary Services: KER Nano-E® Vitamin E Supplement 💧

We are excited to announce that we are now stocking KER Nano-E®, a highly bioavailable liquid vitamin E supplement from Kentucky Equine Research.

Did you know that not all vitamin E supplements are created equal?

Vitamin E is sensitive to light, heat, and storage conditions, which can affect its potency and effectiveness. Choosing a quality, research-backed supplement with proven stability and adequate vitamin E concentrations is important—not only for your horse's health, but also for your wallet.

Most horses with regular access to fresh pasture grass receive sufficient vitamin E through their diet and do not require supplementation. However, horses that have limited or no access to grazing often benefit from additional vitamin E.

Vitamin E deficiency can contribute to:�
✔️ Muscle soreness�
✔️ Poor performance�
✔️ Tying-up episodes�
✔️ Neurological disorders and muscle diseases

The only way to accurately determine your horse's vitamin E status is through a blood test. If you are concerned that your horse may be deficient, contact us to discuss testing and whether supplementation may be appropriate.

As with any supplement, we recommend testing before supplementing whenever possible to ensure your horse receives the right amount for their individual needs.

📞 Contact Larch Veterinary Services to learn more about vitamin E testing and Nano-E supplementation.

06/10/2026

Our software team has resolved the problem and we are once again able to receive text messages at 778-562-5455. Thank you for your patience.

As always, if you are experiencing an equine emergency or have an urgent question, please phone us directly.

06/06/2026

NOTICE June 6th, 2026: Our phone lines are currently malfunctioning. We can receive phone calls but not text messages. If you need to get a hold of us please call 778-562-5455 while we sort this out. Thank you!

06/05/2026

🐴 Gastrogard vs. Compounded Omeprazole: What Horse Owners Should Know About Gastric Ulcer Treatment

We are often asked about the difference between Gastrogard and compounded omeprazole products for treating gastric ulcers in horses.

Both contain the same active ingredient — omeprazole — but they are NOT equivalent products.

✅ Gastrogard is an FDA-approved omeprazole product specifically designed and tested for horses. It has been proven to reliably survive the horse’s acidic stomach environment and raise gastric pH to levels needed for ulcer healing.

⚠️ Compounded omeprazole products, on the other hand, can vary significantly in quality and stability.

Multiple independent studies have shown that compounded omeprazole products are often highly unstable and may rapidly lose potency. One widely referenced study evaluating compounded omeprazole from several U.S. and Canadian pharmacies found that many samples contained far less active drug than labeled, with substantial degradation occurring within days to weeks — even when stored properly.

Because these products frequently fail to reach therapeutic levels, they may not adequately increase stomach pH, which can result in poor ulcer healing or treatment failure.

While compounded medications can play an important role in veterinary medicine in certain situations, ulcer treatment is one area where formulation and stability matter tremendously.

If your horse is showing signs of gastric ulcers — poor performance, girthiness, weight loss, attitude changes, colic symptoms, or reduced appetite — speak with your veterinarian about the most effective treatment options.

📞 Have questions about equine gastric ulcers or treatment plans? Contact our clinic anytime.

Want to learn more about gastric ulcers? Check out this article: https://www.larchvetservices.com/new-page-4

06/01/2026

🐴 What is IgG Testing and Why is it So Important in Newborn Foals? 🍼

Unlike many other species, a mare’s placenta does not allow transfer of immunity from the mare’s bloodstream to the foal before birth. This means foals are born with essentially no protection against bacteria and viruses.

To gain immunity, the foal must absorb antibodies from the mare’s first milk, called colostrum. A healthy foal should ingest approximately 1.5–3 L of high-quality colostrum within the first 24 hours of life in order to develop adequate passive immunity.

⏰ Timing is critical:
After about 24 hours of age, the foal’s gut “closes,” meaning they can no longer absorb antibodies from colostrum effectively.

We strongly recommend that all foals receive a veterinary examination at approximately 12 hours of age whenever possible. This visit includes:
✔️ A full physical examination
✔️ Assessment for limb and joint abnormalities
✔️ Umbilical evaluation
✔️ Examination for cleft palate defects
✔️ Screening for fractured ribs from the foaling process
✔️ Heart evaluation for murmurs
✔️ A quick stall-side IgG blood test to assess immunity levels

🩺 If a foal has not received enough quality colostrum:
• Before 24 hours of age: supplemental colostrum can often still be administered orally
• After 24 hours of age: the foal will typically require intravenous plasma to provide adequate antibodies and protection

Foals that experience Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) are at a very high risk of developing serious infections, including septicemia, joint infections, pneumonia, and other life-threatening illnesses. Antibiotics alone are often not enough without adequate immune protection.

Early IgG testing is a simple step that can make a lifesaving difference for your newborn foal. ❤️

05/29/2026

You may have heard your veterinarian or farrier talk about “NPA” (Negative Palmar Angle) — but what does that actually mean for your horse?

The palmar angle (PA) is a measurement made from a lateral radiograph (side-view x-ray) of the hoof. It measures the angle between the bottom of the coffin bone (P3) and the ground surface.
✔️ In the front feet, a healthy palmar angle is typically 2–7° positive
✔️ In the hind feet, a 0° or neutral angle can be acceptable (called the plantar angle)

So what happens when the angle becomes negative?
A negative palmar angle changes the biomechanics of the hoof and lower limb. This can place excessive stress and strain on:
• Deep digital flexor tendon
• The navicular apparatus

Over time, this may contribute to:
▪️ Heel pain and navicular-related issues
▪️ Soft tissue injury
▪️ Lameness
▪️ Poor performance
▪️ Lower back soreness or compensatory lameness higher up the limb

The good news: radiographs help us accurately identify hoof balance issues and guide treatment plans. Managing NPA is a team effort between your veterinarian and farrier, using appropriate trimming, shoeing, and monitoring to improve hoof mechanics and comfort.

Pictured on the left is a horse with a negative palmar angle and a broken back hoof pastern axis. On the right is an example of a horse with an appropriate positive palmar angle.

05/27/2026

For anyone who missed the talk on Evacuation Preparedness for Livestock you can watch the video here! Dr. Veronneau shared a lot of valuable information regarding horses along side other informative speakers.

Prevention is the best medicine

05/25/2026

Reminder! Fire season is upon us. Lady Farmer in the Okanagan has organized this great information season tonight. Dr. Janine will be talking about horses and evacuation.

Reminder about the upcoming livestock wildfire preparedness facebook live event