Laurel Oak Equine Veterinary Services

04/14/2026

Please make sure your horses are up to date on their Rabies vaccines!

Rabies infection usually occurs by the bite of a rabid animal but can also be transmitted when fresh saliva from an infected animal contacts a wound or mucous membranes. This means that if you give oral medications to your horse who is infected - the virus can be transmitted to you! This is a fatal disease and is preventable with proper vaccination!

3rd rabies case confirmed in Polk County

The third rabies case for 2026 has been confirmed in Polk County as of April 11, 2026. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that this latest case involved a Brazilian free-tailed bat found inside a home within the city limits of Bartow. Case Details Location: Bartow, FL. The Incident: On Wednesday, April 8, a family’s cat was discovered near a live bat inside their residence....

https://lakelandgazette.info/news/2026/04/12/3rd-rabies-case-confirmed-in-polk-county/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

01/22/2026

There are dozens of different conditions that can cause a horse to show signs of abdominal pain. Most (but not all) involve the digestive system, most often the stomach or intestines. Therefore, it stands to good reason that understanding the anatomy of your horse’s digestive system can help you become a better steward for your equine friend.

Fun fact: many people associate digestive health with stomach health. But did you know that the horse has the smallest stomach in relation to body size of all domestic animals? The stomach of the horse is also the smallest unit of the digestive tract, comprising less than 10% of the total volume of the horse’s digestive tract. By contrast, the hindgut is huge and plays a significant role in the horse’s digestive process by serving as the home of friendly bacteria that ferment fiber and turn it into energy.

Hindgut problems can produce obvious physical signs like loss of weight, poor condition, poor performance, diarrhea and colic. Some symptoms however can be less obvious, like poor temperament and training issues.

The key to ensuring good digestive health is good management practices that include (but are not limited to) establishing a set daily routine; feeding a high-quality diet comprised primarily of high-quality roughage; avoid overloading the digestive tract with concentrate rations; providing clean, fresh water at all times; establishing a regular turnout and exercise routine; setting up a regular deworming and dental care program with your veterinarian; reducing stress and making any changes (to diet, housing and exercise) gradually.

Consult your veterinarian about how to maximize your horse’s digestive health. A healthy horse is a happy horse!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Laurel Oak Equine Family to yours 🎄

12/22/2025

Be careful with buying off brand medications!

12/03/2025

🚨🐴 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 🐴🚨

Global Vet Link (GVL) has announced a 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 of all 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐄𝐄𝐂𝐕𝐈) / movement permits due to a multi-state Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) outbreak.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂:
• ❌ No new or renewed EECVI permits can be issued or accepted at this time.
• 📄 Horses needing to travel must use a standard CVI (health certificate) or follow your destination state’s alternative movement requirements.
• 📍 Always double-check state-specific travel rules before hauling to shows, sales, clinics, or events.

We will continue to monitor updates from GVL and state officials and share information as it becomes available.

11/28/2025

This Thanksgiving, we want to share our genuine appreciation for our members and their dedication to equine health and welfare. We are proud to serve horse doctors across the world and to support them through the challenges they face in their daily practice. As you gather around the table today, be sure to give thanks for your equine veterinarian!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 🦃

11/19/2025

Due to the recent outbreaks along with the influx of the equine population in Ocala and surrounding areas, please be conscious of where you’ve been with your horses, make sure they are up to date on vaccinations and call your veterinarian if you see any of the listed signs.

🚨 EHV-1/EHM Cases Reported in Texas

Several recent cases of EHV-1/EHM have been confirmed in Texas following a major event. EHV-1 is a contagious viral disease that can cause respiratory illness, neurologic symptoms (EHM), late-term abortions, and neonatal foal loss.

Watch for signs:
• Fever over 101.5°F
• Coughing or nasal/ocular discharge
• Lethargy, anorexia, limb swelling
• Neurologic signs: ataxia, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, trouble standing

How it spreads: Respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected horses, or contaminated mucus. Shedding can continue for 14–28 days.

What to do:
• Contact your veterinarian immediately if symptoms appear
• Practice strict biosecurity—disinfect equipment, avoid sharing tack, limit travel for 3–4 weeks
• If exposed at an event, isolate and monitor temperatures daily

What is Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)?

You've probably heard it called Rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory tract disease that results in "snotty noses," but EHV is more than that. Depending on the strain, this virus can also cause abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) — the often-deadly neurologic form of the disease.

Because EHV is endemic in many equine populations, most mature horses have developed some immunity through repeated natural infection. However, they remain a source of infection for other susceptible horses, like weaned foals and yearlings, who usually display symptoms of the respiratory form of the disease in autumn and winter. Performance and show horses are also more vulnerable to the disease, as they commingle with unfamiliar equines in close quarters while under stress from travel and competition.

Proper biosecurity protocols can help reduce EHV outbreaks and other disease transmission. A variety of vaccines are also available for protection against both the respiratory and abortive form of the disease, but there is no equine licensed vaccine at this time that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic form (EHM).

Consult your primary equine veterinarian to learn more about this disease and work with them to determine the optimal vaccine protocol for your horses.

You can learn more about all three forms on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website here: https://equinediseasecc.org/infectious-diseases

11/18/2025

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself.

Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
•
Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

11/11/2025

With respect, honor, and gratitude, THANK YOU veterans and active-duty military members for your service and sacrifice!

11/03/2025

Did you know your equine can catch the flu, too?

While there isn’t a specific time of the year for “flu season” in the equine world, any time is good to learn more about this highly contagious respiratory condition—particularly because it’s one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses, and recent years have been unusually active for Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) on a global scale.

EIV spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing, and the severity of clinical signs depends on the degree of existing immunity within the affected individual, among other factors (i.e., correctly vaccinated horses are less affected than unvaccinated horses).

Any horse showing signs of respiratory disease (cough, nasal discharge, persistent fever) should be isolated immediately until your veterinarian can determine the exact cause.

To learn more about Equine Influenza Virus (EIV), visit these resources:
https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-equine-influenza-eiv/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN1uklleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwaDY1NFRwbzVaTmdCTFE0AR6TSxMTSrZaaihGWeOQRU8FxN1nMjxT8a4pensUL-VTbU3gGDNXzK7K0GpGNg_aem_SvQrsEksul6n_6EyWcWgnA
&
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-influenza?fbclid=IwY2xjawN1uk5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwaDY1NFRwbzVaTmdCTFE0AR4prpxH7lNYI-Q9Y7cq5u2eG2iFlJDWbeElbxtZ0UZeZeQC6SwybCYYN-OD5g_aem_BIZyarOLwfLRAmRREAm8Xg

As always, your horse doctor remains your best source of information. Contact them to learn more about how to prevent this disease through an appropriate vaccination protocol and biosecurity practices.

09/30/2025

Equine Skin Allergies: What Horse Owners Should Know ✍️

What are they?
Skin allergies in horses can cause itching, hives, hair loss, and skin sores. The most common types are reactions to insect bites, environmental allergens (like pollen or dust), and, rarely, certain foods or contact with chemicals.

Common Signs:
• Excessive scratching, rubbing, or biting at the skin
• Hives (raised, bumpy areas on the skin)
• Hair loss or bald patches
• Scabs or crusty skin

What causes them?
• Insect bites: Especially from midges (“no-see-ums”), flies, or lice
• Environmental allergens: Pollens, molds, barn dust, etc.
• Contact allergies: Shampoos, sprays, bedding
• Food allergies: Rare in horses

When do they happen?
Seasonal allergies often flare up in warmer months (due to insects or pollen). Year-round itching may be due to dust, molds, or other ongoing exposures

What can you do as an owner?
• Reduce exposure to known triggers (like insects or dusty bedding)
• Work with your veterinarian to identify the cause and create a treatment plan
• Treatments may include special shampoos, medications, or allergy shots

When to call your equine veterinarian:
If your horse is uncomfortable, losing hair, or has sores that don’t heal, consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options.