FAQs

Q – How long does my Wellness package last?

A – The Wellness packages run from January 1st to December 31st. You may sign up at any time of year, however the earlier you sign up for the plan, the sooner you are able to take advantage of the extra 5% discount. We communicate with our clients via email towards the end of each year to discuss package renewals for the next year.

Q – How can I pay for my wellness package?

A –  In 2023, we are offering two options to pay:

i) One payment at time of purchase

ii) 6 equal monthly payments. You must have a valid credit card on file, which will be processed on the monthly anniversary of your sign up date (or the next business day after). April is the last month you can take advantage of the monthly payment option.

Q – How are my appointments scheduled for the items included in the plan?

A – We will call you to set up your appointments for plan items so that you don’t have to worry about it. We try to organize the appointments by boarding barn so that everyone can share a reduced call fee; the ideal time of year for the appointments (ie. spring vaccines); or your horse’s vaccination/dental schedule

Q- What if my horse moves out of your call area?

A – If your horse moves out of our area and one of our other locations are unable to do your routine and emergency services, please call our office to discuss cancellation options.

Q – Can I use the package items for different horses throughout the year?

A – The packages are designed to be used on one horse per year to provide a complete wellness package for that horse. We do not offer transfers of individual items to multiple horses. Please see the question below in the case of a sold horse.

Q- What happens if I sell my horse that is on a wellness package?

A – If you sell a horse that was on a wellness package, the remainder of your package can be transferred to your new horse. You may only do one transfer per year, otherwise you can call our office to discuss cancellation options.

Q- What if I do not use or want all of the items in my package?

A – Our veterinary team has gone to great lengths to create a complete plan that is the most beneficial for your horse’s health care.  We do not offer substitutions or refunds for items not used during the calendar year, in which your package is active.

Q – Why do I need wellness bloodwork?

A – Routine CBC and biochemistry testing is valuable for establishing a normal baseline for your horse, which is helpful if they are ever ill so we can look back and compare their parameters to their normal healthy state. In addition, many health problems can show subtle signs on bloodwork long before they become clinically apparent. Catching an issue in the early stages will make is easier to treat and manage. 

Q- Why do you include a fall Rhino/Flu vaccine in your packages?

A – Influenza (flu) and rhinopneumonitis (EHV 1 and 4) are highly contagious viral diseases that can cause respiratory illness, neurologic damage, and abortion. The vaccine response is strong for six months but then quickly wanes, which is why boosters are recommended twice a year to ensure optimal coverage. This is especially important for horses in barns with high in-and-out traffic as well as horses that travel regularly to competition. Horses competing in FEI and EC events are required to have proof of vaccination every six months. 

Q- What is the benefit of having an ACTH test run on my senior horse?

A - As all horses age, they develop non-cancerous enlargement of the pituitary gland. This causes unregulated cortisol production and eventually Cushing’s Disease, which has significant and widely varied negative effects on health, the most severe being chronic infections, laminitis, and soft tissue injuries. ACTH is elevated in these horses and we can detect this on a blood test. We have simple and effective treatments for PPID (usually one pill orally once a day) so it is well worth screening older horses annually for the condition. The older a horse becomes, the more likely they are to have elevated ACTH.

Q – Why aren’t other metabolic tests included in the senior package?

A - Other metabolic conditions are not necessarily unique to an older horse and the tests can require special preparation and handling. It is more appropriate to implement these test on a horse-by-horse basis because each situation is different. 

Q – Why is there only one Rhino/Flu vaccine included in the senior package?

A - Senior horses have a less active lifestyle and lower exposure rates to other horses, they have also had many vaccines over time to help establish immunity. As a result they are at lower risk of infection and can have their Flu/Rhino booster once a year.