24 hour

emergency service

Lifelong care for animals providing clinical excellence, knowledge and experience

NEWS

PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP Visit us at: www.paragonvet.com and please ‘like’ us on our FACEBOOK page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Equine

The stallionChoice of stallion is one of the first decisions. Factors to consider include size, temperament, breed, conformation, fertility and performance. A.I. increases the number of stallions available.Semen can be fresh, chilled or frozen, and different packages are available - either a set number of coverings, inseminations or straws of semen and whether you are buying a pregnancy or a live foal.

The mareMares resume ovulating in spring, but a cold snap in the weather and other external factors can affect this. Nutrition is important but being overweight can be as deterimental to fertility as being undernourished.The mare will generally be receptive to the stallion for about 5 days on a 21 day cycle and will show classical signs such as squirting small amounts of urine. Her temperament may also change.

The VetIt’s advisable to ensure your mare is fit to breed. The Vet will examine the vulva, as this can change in older mares, and do an internal examination to check the cervix and finally an ultra-sound exam of the uterus and ovaries. Mares going to stud need certificates to prove they’re not carrying Contagious Equine Metritis. A clitoral swab will be sent for laboratory analysis. A blood sample may also be required to certify the mare is clear of Equine Viral Arteritis.

February 2012

Contact us:

CALDEW

VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7JF Tel: (01228) 710208 vets@paragonvet.com

TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: (01768) 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com

LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road Carlisle CA1 2LG Tel: (01228) 591005

SPRING TALK Dr Derek Knottenbelt

will be giving an update on Sarcoids and Headshakingat the Village Hall in Newbiggin on Friday 23rd March.Doors open 7pm for 7.30 start Entry free

Preparing your mare for breedingby

Sarah Lewin

A.I. See our website for full details of our

Artificial Insemination and equine breeding and to find out more about our BEVA-(British Equine Veterinary

Association) approved facilities.

Neaera - I am an equine vet. After qualifying from Glasgow in 2009, I did a large animal medicine and surgery internship in Canada, and have since been

working in equine practice in the UK. I enjoy all aspects of equine practice, and have a particular interest in surgery. I also enjoy outdoor activities and look forward to some great walks in the lake district.

ITCHY SKIN PROBLEMS by

Lucy Hindmarsh (Qualified Veterinary Nurse)

• Lice live on the skin, underneath the horse’s hair. • Horses can scratch so much they rub bits of mane out and make bald

patches which can be sore as well as unsightly. • You can see lice if you look closely where the hair meets the skin. Lice eggs look like small white dots sticking to each hair.• Lice usually affect the areas around the mane, forelock, neck and the base of the tail.• Lice are generally a problem during the winter or early spring, but ponies and horses can be affected all year round.• Ponies can catch lice from each other, and from rugs. You can buy lice repellent powders, but affected animals need veterinary treatment.

Meet Paragon’s

Equine team

Kelly Smith (Equine yard team)

I joined the Paragon equine team in 2008 after completing a degree in Equine Sports Science at Nottingham Trent University. I have always had a keen interest in horses, having ridden from a very young age and was a member of the CFHS pony club for many years. Show jumping is my main equestrian passion and I’ve competed in affiliated shows at junior and senior level for 13 years.I’ve competed my mare Riana for the past five years but unfortunately she can no longer jump following injury. However she’s due to have her first foal in May, which I’m very excited about. I now have five year old Kimberley and hope to be competing her this spring. We also have three other horses - 29 year old 12.2hh Tammy, Roxy, who’s 3 and Storm who’s just one.I enjoy all aspects of equine work, especially breeding and A.I.

Diether - I was born in the north of the Netherlands and always wanted to become a large animal vet. I attended vet school in Ghent, and gained knowledge of the Belgian Blue breed and learned how to perform caesarian sections.

I joined a large mixed practice in the Netherlands dealing mainly with dairy cattle and horses, then did research projects in dairy production in Canada and Scotland, before returning to practice. In 2011 I gained my certificate in Cattle Health and Production. I am very much looking forward to working with Paragon and meeting their clients.

EQUINE ITEMS

At Newbiggin and Dalston we have a wide range of equine goods including wormers and supplements

- all at highly competitive prices. We also have equine First Aid kits.

NURSE CLINIC

New staff membersWe are delighted to welcome Diether Prins and Neaera Fletcher to our Farm and Equine veterinary teams

on February 1st, 2012. Diether and Neaera will primarily be working from our practice in Newbiggin.