Equine
Our focus on equine behavior allows us to optimize the total health of your horse: physical, mental and emotional.
Small Animal
Veterinary Horsemanship
Do you have a horse, mule, or donkey who is difficult to handle? A patient who "hates the vet," or which other DVM's have refused to see?
We introduce you to Veterinary Horsemanship--our unique approach to handling patients. Time and again, we've used 5 minutes of simple horsemanship instead of 5 minutes waiting for sedation to kick in, and the experience is a win for all involved. Less drug for your horse. Less stress for your horse. Satisfaction for you as you see how well behaved your animal actually is, and a sheer kick in the pants for us because we're passionate about this method!
In addition to using Veterinary Horsemanship everyday on the job, we will also be offering workshops to teach these methods to YOU.
Equine Behavior Modification
Do you keep reaching for a sedative or a twitch to get one annoying thing done every 6 weeks ... 6 months ... even a year?
Whether it's standing for the farrier, taking their biannual deworming medication or tolerating mane pulling for your upcoming performance debut, Mertens Mammals can help your horse participate willingly in husbandry behaviors.
You already seek harmony, ease, and enthusiasm from your horse as your pursue your recreational goals, whether your ride is through the woods or through the start gate. Why not bring this same mind-set to the rest of your horse's life?
Call today if you have a question about that "one thing" your horse can't do, but you wish she could ... We'll help you get there!
Wellness & Preventative Care
Think of us as the Favorite Family Doctor for your Horse.
Think of us for all of your needs in:
- routine wellness & health check ups
- vaccination (individualized protocols)
- deworming consultation; fecal exams
- nutritional consulation; weight gain or loss
- evidence-based advice regarding any particular question for YOUR horse
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
[Under Construction. Please come back soon!]
while we build this page, some readers may be interested to see recommendations regarding infectious disease from the American Association of Equine Practitioners at the following link:
AAEP Guidelines for Control of Infectious Disease (and many other topics)
Lameness
As riders ourselves, we know soundness as both practitioner and participant.
When your horse is off, it's more than inconvenient--it's distressing to you and them. With our expertise, we can find the source of pain efficiently, and we understand the athletic demands of your particular activity.
Common causes of lameness include:
- Hoof abscesses
- Hoof pain
- Back Pain
- Arthritis
- Muscle soreness
- Tendon and Ligament injury
- Neurologic disease
- etc.
We will find the source of pain through careful observation, examination, and palpation of your horse. Techniques incorporated with difficult-to-find lameness include flexion tests; local anesthesia (nerve blocks or joint injection); diagnostic imaging, etc.
For cases outside our expertise, we are pleased to refer to facilities with advanced imaging and surgical capabilities.
Microchip ID
Going to a nationally sanctioned competition?
Traveling internationally?
Just want to know your horse is permanently--and painlessly--identified as yours?
There are many reasons why a microchip might be right for your horse. In a matter of minutes, we will anesthetize a tiny area at the crest of your horse's neck, and implant a sterile microchip.
Your lifetime chip registration comes pre-paid; all you have to do is
Follow This Link to record all your personal information with Microchip ID systems, Inc.
It's that simple!
Vaccinations
Since horses have different vaccination needs, depending on where they live, if they travel, and what they do, we recommend discussing your horse’s vaccination schedule with us. Together we can start a schedule that will work for you and your new horse.
Horses typically don’t get vaccinations until they are several months old, depending on their needs. Some vaccinations are started at four months old and need to be boostered three to four weeks later. Some vaccinations are not given until a horse is five to six months old. Most of these also need to be boostered three to four weeks later.
Annual Coggins Testing
A Coggins test is a simple blood test that is used to help prevent the spread of Equine Infectious Anemia. It is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Equine Infectious Anemia is a viral disease that can be deadly. Unfortunately there is no vaccine or cure for it. If a patient survives the disease, they will always carry it and may become sick again if they are stressed. Some horses just seem to be carriers, never getting sick themselves.
Rabies Vaccination
Here at Mertens Mammals Equine Veterinary Medicine, we are firm believers in preventative care, especially when it comes to vaccines.
There are many potentially harmful (and sometimes deadly) diseases which can be prevented with vaccines. Why wouldn’t you want to protect your pets from these diseases?
Here at Mertens Mammals Equine Veterinary Medicine, we are proud to offer a wide range of vaccinations. However, not every pet needs each one. It all depends on where you live and your pets' lifestyle. For this reason, we recommend discussing both of these topics with our helpful staff and your veterinarian. We want only the best for your pets.
We believe vaccinations are important for your pets' overall health, so be sure to keep your pets' vaccinations up to date.
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In-Home Euthanasia
Farm and Small Animal Services
The end of a domestic mammal's life is a profound experience shared by owner and animal. Sometimes the need for euthanasia is clear, as in the case of acute, severe accidental injury. But in cases of chronic decline in the animal's quality of life, it is often difficult for owners to decide "when is the right time."
Our job regarding euthanasia is to assess the medical condition and prognosis for the animal, and advise whether or not euthanasia is an appropriate choice.
Our policy is that for a euthanasia to proceed there must be clear communication between veterinarian and owner(s), and mutual agreement as to why the procedure has been chosen. While this transparency is optimal for any aspect of medical treatment, it is critical for the act of taking a life.