We want to help you as much as possible during this tricky time. Please see the FAQ below for the current COVID-19 outbreak. It outlines what our Equine Vets are, and are not allowed to do during the lockdown. If your question still is not answered, please contact our Reception Team.
***Non-emergency work. Update 14th April***
If you have a concern about your horse regarding something that would benefit from a visit in the next 2 months and you are able to maintain social distancing measures, we will hopefully now be able to attend (following a risk assessment). Please contact us to discuss in the first instance.
What happens if I have an emergency and need a vet?
Your horse’s welfare is of utmost importance to us and we will still be operating a fully functioning 24/7 emergency service for all of our clients.
If you are displaying symptoms or are self-isolating please let us know in advance and if possible make other arrangements for someone else to be available to meet the vet. If that is not possible the vet may be able to bring a nurse with them to help (depending on availability). History can be obtained by phone whilst we are on-route to your yard and a treatment plan can be given by phone afterward. It is never acceptable to hold your horse for a vet if you are showing symptoms or are self-isolating – please look after our team as they try to help you in these difficult circumstances.
What constitutes an emergency?
Anything you would call a vet for at the weekend or in the night, including but not limited to:
>> Colic
>> Wounds
>> Septic joints
>> Choke that does not self-clear
>> Severe allergic reaction
>> Non-weight-bearing or moderate-severe lameness without an obvious cause
>> Very sick horses
>> Down horse unable to stand
>> Horse in severe respiratory distress
>> Foalings and newborn foals
>> Retained foetal membranes (mares not passing the placenta within 3 hours of foaling)
I have a problem with my horse but I’m unsure whether I need a vet visit
Please call the practice and let us know what symptoms your horse is showing. A vet will then be able to either advise over the telephone or carry out a video consultation using WhatsApp or FaceTime. Video consultations will be charged at £36.63 plus VAT and these allow us to prescribe medication if appropriate.
I have a horse requiring ongoing care following a procedure or surgery carried out recently. Will this still be possible?
Any ongoing care which is essential to the welfare and must be done by a vet (e.g. dressing changes after surgery) will still be carried out. Please remember to observe the 2m social distancing rules whilst the vet is in attendance. If you are unwell or self-isolating please let the vet know before they arrive so that we can help you to make other arrangements.
I need veterinary advice for a non-critical problem e.g. mud fever
Our vets are now offering video consultations through WhatsApp or FaceTime. These will be charged at £36.63 plus VAT.
Medication can be prescribed through these means if appropriate and can then be collected by you from a safe place at the practice without the need for you to come into contact with anyone else. Please call the practice if you wish to take advantage of this service.
I need a repeat prescription but my horse has not been seen for over 6 months.
In order to continue prescribing any medication, horses must have been seen by a vet within the last 6 months. If a prescription check is required this can be carried out by video consultation using WhatsApp or FaceTime. Video prescription check-ups will be charged at £25.37 plus VAT.
My horse has a mild lameness. Can he/she be seen by a vet for this problem?
Under BEVA guidance all routine work should be stopped. This includes examinations/investigations into mild lameness problems. Please call the practice if you require telephone advice on what to do with your lame horse in the meantime before he/she may be examined. If your horse is more severely or suddenly very lame please call the practice straight away.
What happens if my horse’s vaccines run over/become out of date?
From April 14th, 2020, due to national lockdown now being set to continue beyond the initial 3 week period, BEVA and the RCVS have taken the very sensible stance that vaccination and some other veterinary work should be allowed to resume if it is needed for horse welfare in the next 2 months and can be done safely. We are unable to offer free zone visits at this time.
It remains of UTMOST IMPORTANCE that our vets are able to maintain social distancing during their visit to you – please keep 6 feet away from them at all times. This is most easily achieved by tying your horse up and standing back while they assess your horse. If you or any of your family members are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or are self-isolating it is essential that you TELL US IN ADVANCE, and ask a friend to attend the appointment on your behalf. If your horse’s temperament will not allow our vets to maintain social distancing then please DO NOT request a vaccination until after the COVID-19 crisis. Please look after our vets!
*visit fees will apply unless we have been able to restart our zone visits by the time of your second vaccination. Initial vaccinations must have been paid for by the time of second vaccination in order to be eligible for a free vaccination.
2nd vaccinations (where the first has already been given), Tetanus, EHV vaccinations for pregnant mares and rotavirus vaccinations for pregnant mares are still being offered.
My horse is due for his/her routine dental treatment. Will this still be carried out?
Under BEVA guidance no routine work may be carried out. This includes dentistry UNLESS your horse has a dental problem that requires urgent treatment. Signs of dental disease include difficulty chewing, spitting out or dropping food, facial swellings or asymmetry, weight loss and/or a quiet demeanour.
My horse is due for a worm egg count (WEC). Can I still get this done?
Unfortunately, we are unable to carry out any routine lab work such as this. Please call the practice and speak to one of our vets who will be able to advise and where necessary prescribe wormers in place of your usual worm egg count in these exceptional circumstances.
Will stud work still be carried out?
We are continuing some stud work (for existing clients only), but it is also worth considering admitting your mare to the clinic for frozen insemination if chilled semen is not available. For the latest information, please contact us to discuss.
>> Any recently covered mares must still have their 16-day twin scan.
>> Foalings, newborn foals, and mares with retained foetal membranes constitute emergencies so please call the practice immediately in these situations.
