Getting my feet wet at Clinton Veterinary Service: My first 2 weeks

I’m Valerie, a veterinary student from Michigan State University who recently finished second year and is looking forward to a summer of equine work. The first two weeks at Clinton Veterinary Service in St. Johns, MI flew by with remarkable speed. The practice currently has 6 doctors who largely work as a large animal ambulatory practice with some equine cases trailered in to the clinic occasionally. This summer I am primarily riding along with Dr. Cynthia Trombley, an equine vet who graduated from MSU in 1995 and co-owns the practice with her husband. From my first day onward, we’ve been quite busy. This time of year the majority of the calls are routine maintenance appointments: vaccinations, Coggins testing, health certificates for any horses traveling out of state, fecal floats and consultations on deworming regimens, and checking teeth for any needed dental work. In my short time here, the difference regular care and preventative medicine makes in the health of a horse is already readily apparent. With Michigan’s long winter, many people are just now transitioning their horses to pasture, which means we’ve had an increased number of colic calls. The majority of the cases have been gas colics, likely caused by the switch to fresh pasture, and have been successfully treated medically on farm. Fortunately few of the colic cases we’ve seen since I started needed surgical treatment, but our close proximity to MSU is helpful in the event surgery is warranted and the owners are willing to pursue that option.

                Dr. Trombley also sees a modest amount of reproductive work. Three days a week we visit a large Arabian farm to ultrasound mares. Ultrasound is useful for tracking a mare’s cycle, identifying follicles that are likely to ovulate, and confirming pregnancy. Unlike in cows, pregnancy can be diagnosed as early as 14 days by ultrasound. While I have yet to palpate or ultrasound a mare, I am becoming much more comfortable with interpreting what I see on ultrasound. The repro work is enjoyable and particularly rewarding when it results in a successful pregnancy. Since the decline of the racing industry in MI and the recession, there have been far fewer clients breeding horses these days, but we still have been out to several other farms to ultrasound mares, collect samples for uterine cultures, perform breeding soundness exams. The most gratifying calls are the new foal check up calls. I enjoy working with foals, but seeing the owner’s excitement over new life and new potential is very satisfying. Hearing owner’s talk with deep pride in their voice about the new foal that is the result of many generations of careful breeding and years of commitment to a breed or disciple is a good reminder that we as veterinarians may treat animals, but we do so in the service of people. We work to maintain the health of animals that bring many people a great deal of joy.

                I have seen and learned a great deal in the 2 short weeks here at Clinton Veterinary Service, and I’m looking forward to the weeks to come.

 A new foal visit to check out this nice little colt. It is also advisable to examine the placenta whenever possible after parturition.