Thank You to Everyone!

We would like to extend our warmest appreciation to our family, friends, and clients who offered an outpouring of support last fall during our reconstruction.  We are happy to say that we are back and fully operational and plans for expansion are in the making!!!

Congratulations Dr. Mark Reilly

Dr. Mark Reilly has been certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) specializing in Equine Practice.  Dr. Reilly mastered a rigorous and demanding application process and certification examination in order to obtain Diplomate status.

The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners was established in 1978 and is accredited by a special committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association to recognize excellence in clinical practice through the certification of species oriented specialists.  Dr. Reilly is the only equine veterinarian practicing in Massachusetts to achieve Diplomate status.   Way to go Dr. Reilly!!!

Back to Top

Welcome New Doctors at SSEC

Suzanne Shaw, MVB, Associate Veterinarian
A native of Littleton, NH, Dr. Shaw received her MVB at the  University College Dublin in Ireland in 2005. Following receipt of her veterinary degree, she completed an internship at a high volume equine practice in New York.  She stayed on at Saratoga Equine through the busy season and then worked as an ambulatory equine vet in the Rhode Island area before joining us at SSEC. 

Isabel Jurk,  DVM, Dipl. Am. College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
Dr. Jurk provides consulting with ophthalmology cases at SSEC on the first and third Wednesday of every month, as well as a case by case basis. She performs examinations, advanced diagnostic testing and specialized ophthalmic and peri-ocular surgeries.
Dr. Jurk received her veterinary degree from the University of Giessen, Germany. She completed a post doc fellowship followed by a 3 year residency training in ophthalmology combined with a Masters degree in specialized veterinary medicine from North Carolina State University. She helped establish the ophthalmology service at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine  where she worked as a faculty member from 2001-2007.  Please call our main line to schedule a consultation today.

Angela Jasper, DVM, CVA, Chiropractic Certified
Dr. Jasper is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and spinal manipulation with special interests in Chinese herbal therapies and nutrition.  We are pleased to offer alternative therapies as adjunct to our western medicine in optimizing your horses health and recovery from illnesses.

Welcome New Staff Member at SSEC

Sarah Nicotri, Reception: Sarah is a native of Plympton who has worked in interior designing and painting.  She has two horses,  Doolin  and  Masana, who she enjoys riding on the trails.

Debbie Hill, a horse owner, client and friend, will be joining our staff as our laboratory supervisor.  Debbie has had over 30 years of experience working in human diagnostic laboratories.  We are excited for Debbie to bring her expertise to our lab so that we can provide more extensive diagnostics at the clinic, thus decreasing the wait time for you and your horse.

Krissy McKenna has joined our team of veterinary technicians.  Krissy makes the long drive from Orleans everyday to help care for our patients.  A graduate from Johnson & Wales University with joint degrees in Equine Studies and Equine Business Management, she is currently taking classes to become a licensed veterinary technician.  Welcome Krissy!

Back to Top

Pre-purchase Exams at SSEC

No more waiting!! The decision of purchasing a horse can be an exciting, yet stressful time, especially when you are waiting for the vet to call with the x-ray and blood work results. Pre-purchase exams performed at the clinic; allow critical evaluation of the horse in hand and under saddle on a myriad of surfaces. Blood work, digital radiographs, endoscopy, and ultrasound exams, if indicated, can be performed here while you wait. In minutes you will have test results and hopefully all the information you need to make that important decision. You will leave with a copy of your digital x-rays, blood work, and a letter outlining the findings.

Click HERE for more information about Pre-purchase Exams

Back to Top

EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME (EGUS)

The incidence of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is steadily increasing and is recognized as a major problem in horses and foals.  Over 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses have gastric ulcers.  Approximately 50% of horses with gastric ulcers show no outward signs, despite significant ulceration of their stomach.

Typical clinical signs of stomach ulcers in adult horses include attitude change, dullness, poor performance, poor appetite, poor condition, colic, and behavioral changes.  Foals with stomach ulcers can show diarrhea, poor growth, rough hair coat, pot belly appearance, teeth grinding, colic, lying on their back, excessive salivation, or interrupted nursing.

There are several factors that increase your horse’s risk for developing gastric ulcers.  Infrequent grazing or reduced hay intake will cause excessive acid accumulation in a horse’s stomach, leading to ulcers.  Intense exercise and training can increase acid production in the stomach.  Physical stress that horses and foals experience when sick, hospitalized, or in pain can also cause ulcers.  Shipping, spending extended amounts of time in stalls and competing can all predispose horses to developing ulcers.

The only definitive way to diagnose gastric ulcers is through use of a 3 meter video endoscope, a service that we can provide for your horse.  Often it is clear only in hindsight, after treatment, how ulcers have negatively affected your horse’s performance.  Fortunately, gastric ulcers are treatable with anti-ulcer medication, dietary changes and environmental management.  With so much invested into your horse, why let gastric ulcers get in the way of success?

Back to Top

Streptococcus Equi Infections In Your Barn

As many of you have heard there have been confirmed cases of Strep. equi infections, otherwise known as Strangles,  in the area.  Simply stated, Strangles is a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of horses with particular affinity for the guttural pouches, which are extensions of the auditory canal from the pharynx, or throat.  It can cause signs of depression, fever, anorexia, swelling of the lymph nodes, edema or swelling of the legs and ventral abdomen, snotty nose and draining abscesses, most commonly from the submandibular area.  Strangles is usually introduced to a farm by a horse who appears totally healthy, but is harboring the bacteria in his or her guttural pouches. These are known as “carriers”.  The disease is then spread to other horses through shared water sources in a paddock, nose to nose contact, shared bits and tack, or through other fomites, such as hands and hoses. 

Back to Top