Fox Valley Equine Practice

10/20/2026

Help us welcome back Whitney Johnson! We asked Whitney to come back and help us out. She said "Yes"! We are so happy to have her smiling face back at FVEP.

10/20/2026

Happy Vet Tech Week to the BEST equine Techs around! FVEP is blessed to have you. This week is all about you, your hard work and dedication. Here's to Cassie, Martin, Annie and Heather!

09/21/2026

Help us congratulate Alexis on her 25th Workiversary with Fox Valley Equine Practice!

09/03/2026

The FVEP office will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. Dr. Albers-O'Brien will be on emergency duty for our FVEP clients. Please call us at 630-365-5600 if you need any medications to get your horse through the long weekend.

09/01/2026

West Nile Message from Dr. Kari Singer

Hello FVEP community, unfortunately, we have to report that we had a young horse come back positive for West Nile Virus. After reaching out to the State vet to report it, they let us know that they have been seeing a high number of positive West Nile Virus cases earlier then normal this year. If you have not yet vaccinated for West Nile Virus this year, now is the time.

Here are the symptoms to look out for:
- Clinical signs are variable and depend on the stage of disease at the time of presentation.
- Low-grade fever (101.5–103.5° F or 38.6–39.7° C) occurs in approximately 25% of affected horses.
- Fever may be preceded or accompanied by non-specific signs of lethargy and inappetence.
- Neurologic signs are often sudden in onset and may be rapidly progressive. Clinical signs reflect predilection of the virus for the gray matter of the caudal brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord with the cerebrum and rostral brainstem less affected. Neurologic deficits may include:
o Fine tremors/fasciculations of the muzzle, face, and neck muscles are common, and should elicit a high index of suspicion for WNV encephalopathy.
o Periods of hyperexcitability that may alternate with somnolence.
o Cranial nerve deficits including facial nerve paralysis, weakness of the tongue, and head tilt.
o Ataxia, weakness, paralysis, or dysmetria of a single limb or multiple limbs. Intermittent collapse may occur in the forelimbs or hindlimbs.
o Recumbency/inability to rise.
o Clinical signs consistent with colic
o Death

There is no treatment for West Nile Virus, there is only supportive care, so vaccination is important to try to prevent or lessen the symptoms.

08/14/2026

We had a special visitor in the office this morning. Dr. Albers-O'Brien's Maine C**n named Cheddar is going to be a Mama! Cheddar was so sweet and patient for her x-rays. Especially since it's been years since any of us took x-rays on a cat! 🤣
She's due next week.
How many babies do you see?

08/04/2026

Client Specials for August & September

07/17/2026

Air Quality Update 2:20 pm
Number is improving. Down to 182.

07/17/2026

Current Air Quality as of 11:25 today.

07/17/2026

Monitor Air Quality here

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