Large Animal Services Provided
Ambulatory appointments are available to your farm or boarding facility in Phenix City, AL and surrounding areas. Dr. Brown can provide comprehensive medical and surgical evaluations, diagnostics, and treatment. Dr. Brown uses a portable DIGITAL radiography machine and power dentistry equipment for the most advanced equine dental care. Emergency care is available after normal business hours. An emergency fee for after hour service will apply in addition to the trip charge and treatments rendered.
Dr. Brown works on multiple species of farm animals including Horses, Sheep, Goats and the occasional swine.
Routine Health Care and Nutritional Consultations
An annual complete physical examination is recommended including a dental exam and nutritional evaluation, fecal egg counts, including body condition scoring, hay evaluation, feeding strategies, and mineral supplements. Due to the heavy presence of year-round mosquitos, twice a year vaccinations are strongly encouraged to prevent fatal disease such as EEE, WNV.
Dental Care
Dr. Brown utilizes equine power dentistry equipment to float horses teeth in addition to wolf teeth removal and dental extractions. In most states, including Alabama and Georgia, only licensed veterinarians are authorized to perform dental procedures on horses. This legislation is in place to safeguard your horse’s well-being, as a comprehensive dental examination necessitates safe and professional sedation and the use of a device called a speculum to gently open the horse’s mouth sufficiently for a thorough inspection. Without this tool, it is not possible to accurately observe or palpate for sharp points, painful hooks, loose, or even fractured teeth. Your horse’s comfort, performance, and long-term health are contingent upon proper dental care.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends annual oral examinations and we
have observed that the majority of horses require their teeth to be floated annually as well. Our standard equine dental service fee is $179, representing a modest investment in your horse’s well-being and long-term care.
Parasite Control
Rotational deworming is a thing of the past. Instead, current standard of care relies heavily upon individual fecal egg counts for parasites at least annually, targeted de-worming and pasture rotation. Dr. Brown can tailor a parasite control plan to your horses’ specific needs and environment. If you are collecting a fecal sample, it must be fresh, kept cool, and evaluated within 24 hours.
Vaccinations
Vaccines are an important part of preventative health care. A full range of vaccines are offered, which are tailored to individual horses and farms depending on multiple risk factors. Prevention protects your investment! *Vaccination for West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus and Influenza are GUARANTEED through Zoetis’ Immunization Support Guarantee. Ask for details.
Radiology
Dr. Brown uses a portable DIGITAL x-ray unit for on-farm radiographs and evaluation for lameness, pre-purchase exams, or dental evaluations. This allows for instant analysis on farm for initiating a therapy plan to get your horse back to performance quickly! Radiographs also can be sent to a radiologist or specialist if needed for consultation or sent to a referral center via e-mail for quick turnaround on a second opinion.
Medical Care
Other services include treatment for a range of internal medicine anomalies including allergies, moon blindness (Equine Recurrent Uveitis) and other ophthalamic disorders, skin tumors, heaves, other upper respiratory issues, and medical colic.
Complete Bloodwork
Routine diagnostics are available such as CBC and Biochemistry. Most lab tests yield results within 24-48 hours. Coggins tests and other specialized diagnostics like Cortisol and Insulin (Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing’s) are sent to outside labs but results are typically available in a few days.
Herd Health Management
Consultations are offered on herd health, including vaccinations, disease management, nutritional consultation, and parasite control.
Surgery
Castrations, lacerations, and growth removals are common field surgeries offered.
Regulatory Work
Dr. Brown is USDA accredited to perform regulatory work that includes health certificates for transport, to show or sale, or for export.