New Locations!

RESM has changed locations! We now have locations in both Tampa AND Ocala. Our Tampa location will be for medication pick up only, while the Ocala location will be appointments only. Dr Russell will be splitting his time between the Tampa and Ocala areas, while Dr. Wilson and Dr. Ziegler (when she returns in October) will be working primarily in the Tampa area.

The Tampa office address is 16214 N Nebraska Ave, Lutz, FL 33549

The Ocala farm address is 1441 E Hwy 316, Citra, FL 32113

Our office phone will remain 813-690-5596, and our direct billing number will remain 813-568-0095.

As always, please contact your veterinarian directly to schedule appointments. Please keep an eye out in your email for any future changes and updates over the next few months as we make this transition. If your email has recently changed, please contact the office to update your account. 

Thank you for choosing RESM and we appreciate your continued support!

Tips for Foaling Season:

With foaling season rapidly approaching it is imperative to be properly equipped for any potential emergency that may arise.

Prior to delivery, a safe, well-bedded and clean foaling area should be readily available.

Around this time, you should have a foaling kit set up, contact your veterinarian to make sure they are aware a foal is coming, and be sure you have a proper understanding of labor and delivery.

Recommended supplements for both mare and foal that our clinic offers:

  • Platinum Performance Wellness and Performance
  • Platinum Performance Bio-Sponge Probiotic
  • Bonewise Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
  • Fullbucket Foal Probiotic

Check out the AAEP website for more in-depth information for foaling:
Foaling Mare & Newborn: Preparing for a Safe & Successful Foal Delivery | AAEP

Equine Parasite Resistance and Strategic Deworming

Has your horse gotten a fecal test lately?

A fecal egg count is a test used to gauge the presence of strongyle or ascarid eggs in a small amount of feces. This examination is the most straightforward way to identify the specific classification of parasite. Afterwards, a proper targeted method of treatment will be tailored specifically to your equines needs.

Signs your equine may have worms:

  • loss of weight
  • rough or dull coat
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • colic

“But I wormed my horse last month!”

Each de-wormer is specifically designed to treat for a select species of parasite. Therefore, you may not have de-wormed for the parasite your horse currently has. Be sure to change the type of treatment as parasites can gain a resistance. Having a basic rotation of wormers is necessary in order to avoiding resistance. Prevention is key!

It’s as simple as dropping off a small fecal sample at our office. No appointment with the veterinarian necessary.

We have a wormer schedule available in the office upon request.

New Location

RESM Announces Opening of Clinic and Office Location

Russell Equine Sports Medicine is very proud and excited to announce the Grand Opening of our new clinic and office location at 29319 Hadlock Drive in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

The new facility will house all functions of the veterinary practice. An area in the main barn will be set up for office visits and hospitalization. The facility has a large covered arena that will provide an area for patients to be worked during performance examinations. The front office will allow our clients an ability to pick up necessary paperwork and prescription medications, as needed.

Patients being hospitalized will receive the highest quality of progressive veterinary care. With staff living on the grounds, hospitalized patients can be monitored and treated as needed around the clock. We also offer rehabilitation, post-surgical care, and layup boarding.

To schedule veterinary services or to discuss clinic details, Dr. Russell may be reached at 859.421.5232. Office related questions may be forwarded to RESM Practice Manager, Stephanie Burchette at 813.690.5596.

September is Disaster Preparedness Month – What can your veterinarian do to help you prepare?

If an emergency hit home today, would your stable be prepared?

With the recent State of Emergency declared for our immediate Florida service area, other weather related warnings for the region and hurricane season knocking at our door, we are to help you plan for what to do before disaster strikes home.

Have immediate access to all pertinent medical records for your horse(s)

Before and/or during an emergency, you may not be able to reach your location of documentation, or your regular veterinarian to obtain copies of necessary records due to road closures, power outages, lost cell phone towers, etc. This is why it is necessary to have these documents stored in a couple of different locations.

Our recommendation is that each owner has a copy of documentation along with the manager/owner of the stable. Ideally, having those records stored in a third offsite location may be of great advantage to you as well.

Necessary Identifying Paperwork

  1. Coggins Test: A negative Coggins test is required if the horse needs to be evacuated to a community shelter or if they have to cross state lines, and is recommended for any horse traveling or coming into direct contact with horses that have recently been transported.

At Russell Equine Sports Medicine (RESM) we offer traditional printed copies of Coggins test from the laboratory mailed directly to the owners and/or stables. We also have these files available digitally, either emailed (to the owner and/or the stable) or stored on a CD or flash drive that is given to owners/stables. So that, even during an emergency, you can always have access to those records regardless of the original documentation location. We also advise keeping copies of the documentation in your horse trailer, so that in a time of evacuation, you are not spending precious time trying to find the necessary credentials.

  1. Vaccination: In addition to your regularly scheduled vaccines, all horses should have a tetanus toxoid vaccine within the last year. At the beginning of hurricane season, it is advised that horses receive Eastern/Western Encephalitis and West Nile vaccination (due to increases in mosquitos from added rainfall).

At RESM, we offer a Prestige 5 way vaccine plus West Nile Virus to cover your animal against this additional threat, with the ease of one dose.

  1. Identifying photos of your horse to prove ownership. It is best to have all the angles: left and right side views, along with front and back shots. Make sure to photograph your horse’s unique marks, brands, scars, tattoos. Etc. Store a copy of your horse’s registration, tattoo and or/ microchip numbers, along with any brand or other distinguishing marks.

RESM offers microchipping certificates (printed and digital) for record keeping, as well as our vaccination records and deworming schedules for horses on our Wellness Plan.

  1. Health Certificates are valid for 30 days after issuance and are required to cross the Florida state line. During a time of emergency, roads may be unpassable for your veterinarian to reach your farm, which could cause serious delays of departure and precious time lost. During the height of serious weather season, it may be wise to have your vet issue a health certificate once per month.   Most evacuations need to take place 48 hours prior to hurricane force winds arriving at your location.

Contact RESM if you would like to prepare a Health Certificate for your stable.

Contact RESM today if we can help you prepare any of these documents, or if you need additional copies for safe storage.

In addition, several websites have emergency planning articles and checklists for our clients to utilize during the planning stage. Be sure to visit these links below to obtain additional information:

http://www.aaep.org/info/horse-health?publication=786

http://www.floridadisaster.org

http://www.thehorse.com/pdf/emergency/emergency.pdf

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/29417/20-disaster-planning-questions

http://www.thehorse.com/features/35909/natural-disaster-are-you-and-your-horse-ready

Care Credit Accepted Here!

Care Credit

There for your horse in his time of need

It’s a situation all horse owners have faced at one point or another…your horse is in need of immediate veterinary care, but your finances say it may have to wait.

With the acceptance of the CareCredit℠ financing program, Russell Equine Sports Medicine will make it so that you never have to make that type of decision again.

Weather for routine preventative care, veterinary supplies or emergency services, CareCredit℠ is there to help ease the financial burden associated with veterinary procedures, small and large.

CareCredit℠ financing is available to RESM clients for account balances from $200-$5000.  Clients may apply for approval over the phone, online or in our office.  With credit applications decisions within minutes, your horse can receive immediate services without the sacrificing precious time or limited funding for necessary procedures.

CareCredit℠ financing options offer 6 and 12 month no interest financing, or a discounted finance rate for extended payments.  CareCredit℠ gives customers an opportunity to receive services during their time of need, while keeping an open line of credit with their veterinarian for future services that may need performed.

If you are interested in more information, or to enroll in the CareCredit℠ program, visit the website www.carecredit.com, or call our office at 813.690.5596.

Now Offering Chiropractic Services!

Dr. Russell is now offering animal chiropractic exams and adjustments after attending courses at Options for Animals College for Animal Chiropractic.

“I have seen first-hand the benefits of chiropractic treatment in animals, especially horses, and I’ve always been interested in expanding my knowledge in animal chiropractic. I’m excited to offer our clients chiropractic care as a complement to our current veterinary services. My goal as an equine veterinarian has always been to use my knowledge and skills to keep horses in optimal health and performing to their best ability. Offering chiropractic care is another invaluable tool to accomplish this goal.”

-Dr. Ross Russell

 

What is Animal Chiropractic?

Chiropractic philosophy states that the body has an innate capacity to heal itself. This innate ability occurs through the body’s nervous system which controls all other body systems (i.e. circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal, immune, urinary & digestive, lymphatic, and endocrine). The nervous system is similar to a fuse box in a house, wherein it controls and influences all other areas of the home. When not operating at full capacity, many areas can be affected. The goal of chiropractic care is to remove any distractions to the nervous system so that it can operate to full capacity.

How does Animal Chiropractic Work?

An animal’s spinal cord is housed and protected by its vertebrae. Along with housing the main component of the nervous system, vertebrae also provide a framework for the body, are sites of muscle and ligament attachment, and facilitate movement from the hind limbs to the fore limbs during ambulation. A dysfunctional vertebrae manifests locally as inflammation or pain, decreased range of motion, and increased muscle tension. This inhibits the activity of the nervous system through chemical and biomechanical forces. A chiropractic adjustment is used to treat the area of dysfunction and restore vertebrae to their normal function.   Regular chiropractic exams evaluate the vertebrae to ensure the nervous system is operating at full capacity.

Should your Horse have a Chiropractic Exam?

Chiropractic care is not intended to replace primary veterinary care, but instead used to complement it. Chiropractic exams and adjustments in conjunction with primary veterinary care can be used to treat a wide range of internal and musculoskeletal ailments and enable the body to reach optimal health. Chiropractic care is also recommended during the rehabilitation of previous primary injuries to alleviate and prevent compensatory injuries.

Signs that your Horse may Need a Chiropractic Exam:

  • Lameness – intermittent, mild, moderate.   ALWAYS have a veterinary exam first.
  • Crouching down after mounting
  • Difficulty turning one or both directions
  • Trouble with head collection – Leaning on one side of the bit, head shaking
  • Aberrant behavior or bucking
  • Cross-cantering
  • Frequent lead changes
  • Refusal to take one lead
  • Lack of hind limb propulsion
  • Dragging one or both hind limbs
  • Lethargy

 

Call us today to schedule an appointment!

Stable Lab – Equine Blood Analysis. Anytime. Anywhere.

Stablelab Serum Amyloid A is a blood test that can be done in ten minutes right at the horses stall to monitor disease. SAA is a protein in the horse that is normally absent or present in very low concentration in a healthy horse. This protein increases rapidly during an infectious inflammatory disease process, allowing it to be used as a biomarker of disease. The protein does not increase in non-infectious inflammation with the exception of only a certain few conditions.

Stablelab SAA quickly detects disease in very early stages. The ability to differentiate infectious vs. non-infectious inflammation gives veterinarians critical information to use in formulating a treatment plan, or conducting further diagnostic tests.

  • SAA allows veterinarians to monitor a horse’s response to treatment when long term antibiotics are needed (e.g. internal abscesses, pneumonia, peritonitis, cellulitis, post-surgical infections, upper respiratory infections, post-castration swelling, wounds)
  • The information SAA provides allows veterinarians to practice judicious use of antibiotics. The growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the have negative side effects such as colitis associated with antibiotic use are key reasons to use antibiotics only when needed.
  • SAA is a good screening test for disease pre/post shipping and pre/post-surgical.
  • SAA tracks the patients progress and/or response to treatment.

Dr. Russell has had great success using SAA and we are pleased to offer this service.  You can find more information at the Stable Lab website!

Hello Tampa!

Ross and I are so excited to be back HOME in Tampa!  Could this place be any more beautiful?

The Tampa area has such a diverse equine community, encompassing all sorts of breeds and disciplines.  Ross’s main focus has always been the equine athlete, mainly Thoroughbreds.  My focus has always been the elegant, beautiful, and versatile American Saddlebred.  Russell Equine Sports Medicine is now expanding our scope and welcoming new clients, including but not limited to; show horse facilities, training centers, private farms.

Dr. Russell is a skilled equine veterinarian with an excellent eye for lameness and the correct treatment plan.  He also does reproduction work, dentistry, Maganawave therapy, and routine veterinary care.  RESM has a top of the line digital X-Ray machine and Ultrasound.

Give us a call!