A short term answer is better than no answer for now.
That will at least give you an answer while you continue the search for something that will work.
You and I are in the same situation. I knew it when I moved here, and accepted it. All I can say is- equip yourself with the drugs you can get from a vet, and learn how and when to administer them yourself to the best of your ability. Make sure that you own a working thermometer. You should have oral and injectable antibiotics on hand. And tranquilizer (hard to get some types of tranquilizer, but no problem getting acepromazine). And antihistamine. And bute and banamine. And omeprazole. And bandages and wraps. And topical antibiotic creams, and poultice material. If you CAN, learn how to do IV injectionsā¦ at least learn how to do IM injectionsā¦ a vet who cares about you, understands your situation, and has some respect for your horsemanship skills can show you how. There are courses you can take. Have boxes of syringes and needles on hand. Learning how to do these things, basic emergency veterinary care, CAN save your horseās life, CAN hold things together until you can get your horse to a vet, or get a vet in to your horse. You ARE allowed to treat your own horse with these drugs, you are NOT allowed to treat someone elseās horse, so donāt do that. Just your own, as best as you can, if you do not have good access to a veterinarian. Good luck! We are not in the same situation as many people here, who have good access to veterinarians as required. All you can do is your best effort. Learn new skills.
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I heard that too. I was planning on figuring out more about that once my horse needs his teeth done and Iāll get a once-over in the spring with shots. Iām still trying to figure out the right people to talk to. It takes time.
Itās funny - I knew that when I moved here too but I didnāt really understand what that meant until an emergency popped up Iām not comfortable handling. Luckily, I have a pretty good amount of experience with almost all treatments. I have MS in Equine Science from a Land Grant University and ran a 100+ horse herd at a college for quite a few years. Where I was I could easily call up my vet, tell them what happened, and they would leave drugs for me to pick up because most of the time I am totally comfortable treating them myself.
Thatās a challenge of a new area. I need to establish a relationship with a vet that will feel comfortable letting me buy drugs (I prefer IV/IM medications just because I think they are easier to administer) and letting me treat without a vet call. Iāve heard from āeveryoneā in the area that vets here wonāt give any drugs but powder bute and paste banamine but I need to try for myself. It may be a product of the clientele in the area because it is a liability issue.
Thatās actually a good question - in everyoneās experience how comfortable are your vets (mobile or not) at prescribing medications to clients? Iām talking beyond the standard bute or banamine. Things like Dorm gel, Robaxin, Ace etcā¦
I find it depends entirely on the vet. And you are rightā¦ the relationship you have managed to establish with themā¦ which is tough if you have just moved into the area. All you can do is ask. The worst that will happen is that you get turned down. When I moved here, my vet I was leaving behind said, āBute and penicillinā, and made sure I had that, and more. I had a few things shipped. But over the years, I found other sources- have been here 14 years now. The last vet I managed to establish this relationship with locally (well, not SO local), asked if he could use me to supply what was needed by his other clients in this area in emergency situations, as he authorized it was needed. No problem with that. Unfortunately, this vet has now retired, and I am currently stumped on where else I can turn. But I have a good supply of what I need, and hoard it jealously. And hope that another vet will take over this role at some point before I run out of things I need to take care of my horses in a absence of veterinarians.
I had a farm call here the other dayā¦ two horses teeth got floated. I had been told it would be happening next spring LOL. No complaints from me! Donāt even know what it cost- didnāt even ask. Just gave him the credit card.
You could just get drugs shipped in the mail from your previous vet. Or you could get your previous vet to contact your new local vet, and vouch for you as someone who CAN use legal drugs IV or IM. Injectable banamine, bute, atravet, antibiotics ARE legally sold to clients here, no problem. In Canada. Things may be different where you are.
And as for ādealingā with injuries that you have not had to deal with before, and feel inadequate- welcome to the club! Do the best you can. āBute and Penicillinā!
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I thought of this thread today. My preferred vet clinic announced the implementation of cancellation fees. Good for them I say!
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@Halfpasser11, got some information today. I saw my vet and he is with Cave Creek Equine. They are in Flagstaff every two weeks. He told me that they used to go to Kingman a few years ago on a regular basis, but then didnāt have enough clients there to continue. Maybe thatās changed again? Worth pursuing! The vets are awesome.
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This seems like a very smart business plan.
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I think so too. Itās very reasonable, they want 24 hrs notice of cancellation or the customer will be charged the equivalent of an office exam / farm call as applicable.
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Having been in practice myself, I can appreciate that things happen at the last minute - to both doctor and patient.
But a late cancellation fee should work both ways. If I take a day off work for a vet appointment that is cancelled and re-scheduled, I have lost a dayās gross income. I could not fill my planned day off with patients on short notice.
Iād like to continue thinking that a vet values us as much as we value them.
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An updateā¦email tonight from my practice (which had three vets, now has two as one is leaving large animals). Out of hours emergency may be referred to surrounding vets for coverage: surrounding vet practices are all minimum hour and a half away. So it goes. Iām counting myself lucky that they didnāt simply say: no out of hours emergencies. But that there is a possible contingency plan.
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Being in practice is fun and challenging at first. But at some point, frequently related to your family, the realization that you may be on night and weekend call for the rest of your life begins to wear you down.
Another factor related to me by a former equine surgeon, who found another career by earning a medical degree, is the psychological toll of knowing you could save so many horses if the clients could or would pay for the needed procedures.
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This is horrible. I am sorry that you had to be a part of this dismal episode. Not all humans are so uncaring.
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