Swiftsure Equine Veterinary Services
202-6981 East Saanich Road V8Z 5Z2 Saanichton, BC, Canada

BIG NEWS! We’ve launched an online store! Kayleigh has been working hard behind the scenes to bring to life an easier way for our clients to purchase their equine supplies. We’ve added everything over-the-counter that you would regularly call, text or email us to purchase to the site so that you can search and purchase from the comfort of your home without having to contact the office first. We hope that this makes ordering your bandaging supplies, supplements and general equine supplies an easier process! Please visit our new online store at http://shopswiftsureequine.square.site !

Vitamin E and Selenium This case of the month was inspired by a number of cases we have seen lately where horses present for general muscle stiffness and poor performance. Bloodwork in these horses has revealed selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency. Selenium is a trace mineral that is required in a horse’s diet in relatively small quantities. However, it is important for muscle function, as an antioxidant, and for thyroid function. In deficient horses, muscle stiffness and sor...eness is a common complaint. In severe cases (more common in foals or young horses) a disease called White Muscle Disease can occur. Unfortunately, hay and grass on the Island is notoriously low in selenium meaning that it must be supplemented in the diet. This is in contrast to other areas of North America (like Alberta and interior B.C.) where selenium is present in the soil and as such normally acquired via forage. Typically, if you are feeding a good ration balancer at the recommended feeding amount, then 1-3 mg of selenium will be provided daily which is adequate for many horses; though depending on the source, further supplementation may be required. It is important to ensure that the selenium is an organic selenium yeast, as inorganic forms are poorly absorbed by horses. Finally, vitamin E plays an essential role in the absorption of selenium and as such vitamin E may need to be supplemented if your horse is deficient. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant essential to normal neuromuscular function in horses. It plays a key role in the development of young horses. Vitamin E is most readily found in lush green pasture. If this is not present in your horse’s diet, especially in young growing horses, then supplementation with a natural vitamin E source is essential. It is important to note, that selenium supplementation beyond that of a commercially formulated ration balancer is not recommended without a proven selenium deficiency (via blood test) and consultation with your veterinarian. Adding selenium to your horse’s diet from multiple sources can result in over supplementation and even selenium toxicity. Signs of selenium toxicity include hair loss of the mane and tail, cracking of the hooves, signs of lameness, excess salivation, respiratory failure, and even death. If you suspect that your horse may have inadequate selenium in their diet, please consider reaching out at your next veterinary visit and the Swiftsure Equine team will be happy to help ensure that your horse is performing its best. More reading on selenium and vitamin E in horses can be found here: - https://thehorse.com/113890/supplementing-selenium/ - https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu//finno-lab/vitamin-e-horses

December Case of the Month: An Out Of Place Problem Carl is a 12 year old miniature horse stallion who is used for driving, shows in-hand, and he is an active breeding stallion. When he is not living with the breeding mares doing his important work, Carl lives in a paddock alone, but with a gelding in the neighbouring paddock. Carl’s owner found him after an apparent fight with his neighbour through the fence. The fence was visibly damaged, and poor Carl was holding his neck ...Continue reading

The Swiftsure Equine team wants to wish everyone a happy new year! Hopefully someone has lunged 2021 before we get on! A friendly reminder that our office will be closed until Monday January 4th. We have a veterinarian on call for all emergencies between December 31st to January 4th. Regular office and vet hours resume Monday January 4th at 8:30am.

The Swiftsure Equine Team wants to wish everyone a very merry holiday season! Thank you to all our clients who have sent beautiful Christmas cards this year. We are so lucky to have such wonderful clients and patients to work with!

Marvin is a seasoned show horse who competes in the hunter/jumpers. In regular turnout one day, Marvin was noted to be kicked in the front leg by another horse. At the time he was only mildly lame with no swelling. There was a small wound which was kept clean, Marvin was given some Bute, and he was presumed to have gotten off easy. Over the next several days, Marvin was noted to be lame at a trot and have some soft tissue swelling on the inside of the leg above the carpus. He...Continue reading