Equine FAQs

What should I do if I have a horse emergency?

Stay calm. Call Modoc Veterinary Center to be connected to the veterinarian on call.

What should I vaccinate my horse for?

Core vaccinations, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), include Tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and Rabies. Our veterinarians would be glad to discuss additional diseases your horse may be at risk for in this area. Please visit the AAEP website http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm for more information about vaccinating your horses.

What deworming protocol should I use?

Historically, a rotational deworming schedule was used where an ivermectin or moxidectin product is alternated with Panacur (fenbendazole) every 3 months. A different option we offer is either a fecal float or fecal egg count that can be performed to determine if your horse needs to be dewormed. This is done by bringing in a fecal sample that we will either examine in-house (fecal float) or send to an outside laboratory (fecal egg count). If we know which parasites your horse has and the severity of infestation, we can then suggest a deworming protocol for your horse.

When does my horse need to have a dental float performed?

During a yearly exam, your veterinarian can check your horse's teeth to determine if a float is needed. As horses age, they wear their teeth in uneven patterns creating hooks and points that can and will cause issues with eating, performing, and behavior. Young and older horses tend to need dental floats more frequently, but each horse is assessed individually by your veterinarian. We are capable of performing power dentistry.

What should I feed my horse?

Equine nutrition is a vast and expansive area that takes into consideration each individual horse's needs and requirements depending upon various factors such as use, exercise, behavior, and age. While the field of equine nutrition is ever changing and growing, there are things that never change like fresh water, good quality feed, and free choice mineral. As with most of California, Modoc County has been found to be especially deficient in Selenium and other trace minerals. We offer an equine mineral that is specifically designed for Modoc County and is available for purchase.

Modoc Veterinary Center

501 Highway 395 N.
Alturas, CA 96101

(530) 233-4156
Fax: (530) 233-3286

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Hours- Closed for lunch 12PM-1PM

Monday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Sunday Closed