For horse owners

Dear horse owners,

Due to the many horses that we have successfully treated over the years, we have optimised our clinic processes for the benefit of our patients and provide you with the following information on making appointments, ordering medication, visiting times etc. at our clinic.

If you have any further questions, you can reach us by telephone during office hours on +41 62 885 30 20.

Regular preventive care for horses is crucial to maintaining the health and well-being of the animal. Screening allows potential diseases to be detected and treated early, helping to prevent or minimize serious health problems. In addition, preventative care also enables the monitoring of vaccinations, worming and other preventative measures that contribute significantly to the long-term health of the horse.

The following check-ups should be carried out regularly:

Dental check

Horses, ponies and especially donkeys can compensate for problems such as strong points, mucosal injuries and broken teeth for a very long time by grinding the feed on the healthy side. For this reason, regular examination of the oral cavity and treatment of the teeth is of great importance for health, even if the horse eats "normally".  

A dental check is recommended approx. every 6-18 months. This depends on the age and dental health of each individual horse.

 We offer examination of the oral cavity as well as dental treatment directly at our clinic or on the road (directly at your stable).

Blood control

In the event of illness, but also as a regular health check, for example together with immunisation or dental treatment, a blood test can provide a lot of information. 

Information sheet for download  Vorsorge

 

Vaccinations offer horses a high level of protection against a wide range of diseases. They are effective and inexpensive, so a regular vaccination routine guarantees particularly good health protection for your horses.

The following vaccinations are recommended in Switzerland:

Flu vaccination

Vaccination against equine influenza is mandatory for participation in official events. Equine influenza is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. There is no treatment with medication; all that can be done is to try to alleviate the symptoms or prevent an infection with a vaccination. Equine influenza is also dangerous because it is highly contagious and spreads quickly. Even indirect contact via clothing, feeding troughs and cleaning materials is enough to transmit the disease.

The vaccination schedule is as follows:

Basic immunisation:

1st Vaccination
2nd Vaccination: 21-60 days after the 1st vaccination
3rd Vaccination: maxmax. 6 months + 21 days after the 2nd vaccination (recommendation approx. 5 months after the 2nd vaccination)

Rappel:

• Annually, the interval must not exceed 365 days

• For international competitions, the last vaccination against influenza must not be older than 6 months + 21 days

Comments on the start of the tournament:

• In the case of basic immunisation, a start at a torunament is possible from the 8th day after the 2nd vaccination
• For horses born before 2013, basic immunisation with 2 vaccinations is sufficient. However, if this horse needs to be revaccinated, it must be revaccinated in accordance with the above-mentioned current regulation (3 vaccinations)
• In general, a waiting period of 7 days must be observed before the next competition start

Tetanos

Tetanus is an infection with a bacterium that usually enters the organism via wounds. The course of the disease can be very dramatic and lead to an agonising death, which is why it is important to protect horses by vaccinating them.

The vaccination schedule is as follows:

Basic immunisation (from the 6th month of life):
1st vaccination
2nd vaccination 4-8 weeks after the 1st vaccination
3rd vaccination 18 months after the 1st vaccination

Repetition:
At intervals of 2 years

Remarks:
If there is an increased risk of infection, an additional initial vaccination can be given at the age of 4 months, followed by the full vaccination schedule from the 6th month of life.

Herpes

Equine herpesvirus is an infectious disease that leads to respiratory diseases with fever, especially in young horses.

The vaccination schedule is as follows:

Basic immunisation with inactivated vaccine (e.g. Duvaxyn):
1st vaccination: 28-42 days after the 1st vaccination
2nd vaccination: max. 6 months + 21 days after the 2nd vaccination

Repetition:
Half-yearly (the interval may be max. 6 months + 21 days)

Remarks:
A new basic immunization is necessary if the interval between two vaccinations exceeds 6 months + 21 days.

Information sheet for download Impfungen
 

While foals and young horses are regularly given prophylactic worming treatments, selective treatment is generally preferred for adult horses. A faecal sample is taken to determine whether your horse is infected with parasites and, if so, which ones, so that they can be targeted. In most cases, these are:

As not all parasites can be reliably detected in faeces, annual deworming with the active ingredients "macrocyclic lactones" and "praziquantel" (products: Equest Pramox or Equimax) is recommended, as these active ingredients are effective against a large number of parasites. It is best to administer the medication in autumn after the first night frost, as the risk of reinfection is lowest at this time due to the lack of active intermediate hosts.

If selective deworming is not an option for you, we recommend the following procedure:

Foal

• The mother should receive macrocyclic lactones prophylactically after the birth
• 14 days old: against dwarf threadworms with benzimidazole (product: Panacur)
• 4 weeks old: against dwarf threadworms with benzimidazole (product: Panacur)
• 2 months old: against roundworms and small strongyles with benzimidazole (product: Panacur), take a faecal sample 14 days after deworming if uncertain and treat if necessary
• 5 month old: against roundworms and small strongyles with macrocyclic lactones (product: Eraquel / Equest), take a faecal sample 14 days after worming if uncertain and treat if necessary
• 8 month old: against roundworms, small strongyles, tapeworms and stomach worms with macrocyclic lactones and praziquantel (product: Equimax / Equest Pramox)

1-4 year old young horses

• In February: against roundworms and small strongyles with benzimidazole (product: Panacur), take a faecal sample 14 days after deworming if uncertain and treat if necessary
• In June: against roundworms and small strongyles with macrocyclic lactones (product: Eraquel / Equest), take a faecal sample 14 days after worming if uncertain and treat if necessary
• In August: against roundworms and small strongyles with macrocyclic lactones (product: Eraquel / Equest), take a faecal sample 14 days after worming if uncertain and treat if necessary

• In November or when stabling: against roundworms, small strongyles, tapeworms and stomach worms with macrolytic lactones and praziquantel (product: Equimax / Equest Pramox)

Horses from the age of 5

As described above, selective treatment is preferred for horses aged 5 years and older.

Informationsblatt zum Download  Entwurmungsempfehlung