Full Circle Equine Services

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VETERINARY SERVICES

Full Circle Equine Service offers chiropractic, acupuncture, pre-purchase and insurance exams, ultrasound, physical therapy consultations, emergency services, laceration and wound repair, dentistry, field castrations, Chinese herbal medicine and vaccinations.

CHIROPRACTIC
Veterinary Chiropractic is a gentle, healing art that removes interference in the nervous system and restores normal functions to the joints and muscles of the body. The nervous system is the communication circuit within the body. It regulates the function of every organ and muscle by carrying signals to and from the brain. Sometimes vertebral (spinal) bones and other joints become misaligned, adversely affecting the nerves. Chiropractors call these misalignments "subluxations". Over time, these misalignments, or subluxations, to the spine and joints, along with damage to the nervous and muscular systems, will accumulate and begin to deteriorate your animal's health. The nervous system can no longer effectively coordinate all of the body's functions. Misalignments can be caused by slips and falls, jumping, playing tug of war, training procedures, excessive restraint, ill-fitting harness/ tack/ collar, incorrect shoeing, and misaligned riders. Chiropractic is aimed at correcting the subluxations and restoring proper function to the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems. The length of treatment depends on the condition and cooperation of the patient as well as the techniques used. Simple acute problems may require only a few adjustments, whereas more severe or chronic ailments may need several adjustments over weeks or months followed by periodic rechecks. Chiropractic takes time since we are allowing the body to heal itself, once proper nerve, joint, and muscular functioning has been restored. As with any modality of treatment, there may be a limit to how much chiropractic care can help. Sometimes the problem may have progressed beyond the point where chiropractic can arrest, reverse, or correct the problem. In these cases, the most we can do is provide symptomatic relief, making the patient as comfortable as possible.

ACUPUNCTURE
Practiced in both animals and human beings for thousands of years in China, acupuncture may be defined as the stimulation of a specific point on the body with a needle, resulting in a therapeutic homeostatic effect. Acupuncture divides the body into meridians or lines that either start or end in the head, feet, or chest. Each meridian has a set number of acupuncture points along it and is associated with an internal organ as well as other parts of the body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines can treat a variety of problems. Some conditions have concurrent western medical treatments, some do not. Acupuncture can give relief and even recovery from difficult to treat conditions such as laminits, navicular disease, arthritis, heaves, and colic. There are very few side effects and the results of treatment can be very encouraging.

DENTISTRY
Equine dentistry has gained attention lately in the popular equine press as well as among veterinarians. More research into the effect of the teeth on the whole horse as well as marked improvements in the tools available to equine dentists has aided this expansion. In Virginia, lay persons, known as equine dentists, as well as licensed veterinarians can work on your horse's teeth.

In VA, only Equine dentists that are registered with the Board of Veterinary Medicine, as well as licensed veterinarians, can perform routine floats where as veterinarians can administer sedatives to calm the fearful horse, extract teeth, and perform more invasive dental procedures. Dr. Froeling performs dentistry, including tooth extractions. Sedation is used when necessary. Horses need their teeth floated at least once a year. They should be given an oral exam twice a year. Ocassionally if the teeth have been neglected or the horse is older and has lost teeth more frequent dental work can speed the return to normal, pain-free chewing and movement. A horse's jaw greatly influences its balance. If teeth are not maintained then head set and rear end strength can be affected.

OZONE THERAPY OZONE (O3)
Ozone Therapy is an activated, trivalent form of oxygen (O2). It has medical benefits and has been used since the 1920's to treat infections, tumors, cancers, circulation disturbances, and Cushings disease. Full Circle Equine Service now offers OZONE therapy for horses. OZONE has been shown to be an effective adjunctive therapy in treating laminitis/founder, systemic melanomas, and kidney and liver infection. Call the office today for more information or if you have any questions.

AVID "Friend Chip" Microchip
Full Circle Equine Service now offers the AVID "Friend Chip" Microchip. This microchip can be placed in horses, dogs, and cats. It helps to identify them, keep them safe, and return them home if they are lost or stolen. Shelters, veterinarians, and animal control officers have microchip readers to identify your lost companion. Call the office today to set up an appointment for a microchip, ask us for more information or go to the AVID web sitehere.  We currently offer microchipping for $40.  This fee includes the chip registration. 

Postural Rehabilitation 
Postural rehabilitation is based on returning the part of the nervous system that controls balance and movement to normal after an injury or neglect.  Lack of or incorrect trimming/shoeing of the hooves as well as improper dental care can effect balance in the horse.  Horses that are imbalanced use their bodies incorrectly to try and do what they are asked.  These horses typically have trouble holding the correct leads, have trouble with bits and just don't seem to be able to fulfill their potential.  Having them examined by a veterinarian that can assess their balance and then can adjust them and give advice as to dental care and shoeing changes can set them on a course of easier movement and athletic success.



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