Vet checks for veterans?

Degan

Degan

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To those of you with golden oldies do you get the vet out to give them a general 'mot' ?

Im thinking of getting the old man checked over before we go into the summer and the workload increases. He is 23-24 ish now but still very active and shows little sign of ageing. However I feel that I would be happier if I knew for sure that eg his heart ect is still fine and capable of his workload.

So, what do you ask for if you want a sort of 'mot' check up?

What would you have checked? eg heart and lungs or would you also have a blood test to check other organs?

Oh And what sort of price range am I looking at ? (cost not a factor just interested to know)

Thankyou

Oh and would you like a piccie of the old man ....? :)
 
I'm not sure where abouts you are, but Scarsdale Veterinary Hospital are currently doing a January deal on vet checks for oldies. I got a newsletter from them about it.

Even if you are too far away you could ring them and ask what sort of thing they look for so that you can then ask a vet closer to you to do it?

xx
 
Our vets do a general health check (not for veterans) for £99. This included annual jab, and teeth. I think they do a trot up etc.

I am having them come out to see my now 30 yr olf on monday, not for this as he doesn;t need his jab and I know he's stiff already! But he is having teeth done and I asked for a general check over due to his age.
 
Heres a summer pic of the old man :)

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or maybe two :D

00003_Capture_2-1-1-1.jpg
 
My veteran is checked over at flu and tet time (although now too old to need those) along with his friends. Heart, eyes, mobility. Eyes are so important because the arrival of cataracts can change behaviour when ridden (enhanced startle reflex). Teeth (when he had some :)) were done twice yearly so he got his extra checks.

I don't have blood tests as a rule if he passes his checks with flying colours, but having learned a lesson from my other old horse would now press for blood test sooner rather than later if unexplained illness occurs.

Part of the yearly check up is always the questions "how is he going to fare in the winter".

I also have him checked out if anything out of the ordinary is going to happen (I had to move him last year aged 35) just to make sure.
 
Blythwind said:
I'm not sure where abouts you are, but Scarsdale Veterinary Hospital are currently doing a January deal on vet checks for oldies. I got a newsletter from them about it.

Even if you are too far away you could ring them and ask what sort of thing they look for so that you can then ask a vet closer to you to do it?

xx
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Thankyou, yes they are to far away unfortunatley but good idea.
 
He looks fantastic, a credit to you. I wish my old boy was still 'only' 24!!

Rebelrebel - what do you mean yours is too old for flu/tet? Am I missing something here, my 30 yr old still has them?
 
Never heard about horses getting to old for Flu & Tet what age does this occur I would have thought the flu jab would be more important the older they got, but maybe thats just humans??
 
This was him xmas 2009 aged 31, he's 32 now, he usually gets checked over when he's has his vacs

xmas09blazeage31.jpg


He was a bit ribby there but he looks better now, I have to watch his weight cos he had lami few years back


This was him 5 years ago at windsor fun ride

Windsorpleasureride2005.jpg


This was us in a veteran class few years back
CricklandsshowAug2005Pic2.jpg
 
RebelRebel said:
My veteran is checked over at flu and tet time (although now too old to need those) along with his friends. Heart, eyes, mobility. Eyes are so important because the arrival of cataracts can change behaviour when ridden (enhanced startle reflex). Teeth (when he had some :)) were done twice yearly so he got his extra checks.

I don't have blood tests as a rule if he passes his checks with flying colours, but having learned a lesson from my other old horse would now press for blood test sooner rather than later if unexplained illness occurs.

Part of the yearly check up is always the questions "how is he going to fare in the winter".

I also have him checked out if anything out of the ordinary is going to happen (I had to move him last year aged 35) just to make sure.
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Why do you say your horse is too old to have vacs ? I'm confused
 
Get my two oldies 30 and 25) checked out at the same time as flue, tet and rasp teeth. They check eyes, anyb lameness or stiffness at a trot, digital pulse, heart and any other on-going ailments they have been found to have in the past. I find it useful as at least I have some idear of any developing problems such as chataracts, hear murmours etc.
 
My 23 year old mare (24 in April :( ) has a full health check every 4 - 5 months. One of those times will tie in with her annual vaccines.

This includes full series of blood tests to check kidney and liver funtion, red/white blood cell counts and some other things I cant remember of the top of my head. I also have her ACTH levels everytime too as she has Cushings and is on Pergolide so need to make sure the dosage is still doing its job.

Then vet also does an thorough overall body check, eyes, heart and lungs are checked and a finally soundness/stifness check.

Then based on any findings they are investigated and treated accordingly.

Might seem excessive to repeat so often but its worth it for my peace of mind :o

Sadiemay
 
NOISYGIRL said:
Why do you say your horse is too old to have vacs ? I'm confused
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Apparently (according to vet) as he has been innoculated for so many years he has built up enough immunity. I found it a bit sad in a way. If he goes on for a lot more years he may need a tetanus top up. I hope he does :)
 
my oldie had so much tet immunity, where you injected would swell from the reaction, so if you put it in the neck then he couldn't get his head down to eat. so we stopped tet 5yr ago
 
RebelRebel said:
Apparently (according to vet) as he has been innoculated for so many years he has built up enough immunity. I found it a bit sad in a way. If he goes on for a lot more years he may need a tetanus top up. I hope he does :)
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Thats interesting, you'd think the vets would say, although its doing them out of money if they do that !
 
Kia my oldie gets a MOT at his annual jabs :)

He gets his eyes, teeth, heart and a flexion test once a year. The flexion test is so that the insurance will cover his legs as he near took his foot off on a wire fence and they require written confirmation ever year that he is sound on it. Worth it just incase he hurts i again :)
 
Thankyou for your replies, I think its time he has an 'mot' :)

But what should I ask for exactley? oh and how much would you have checked?

How does eyes, heart, lungs and a trot up/ flexion test sound? oh and maybe a blood test?

Thankyou, sorry thats quite alot of questions
eh.gif
 
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