Wellness Plans

At Premier Equine Veterinary Service, we recognize that no two horses are the same and you should have the ability to better tailor your horse’s care to fit his or her needs. We are happy to offer new customizable packages to give you the best wellness experience and the healthiest equine companion in 2023!

Once you highlight one of the plans below, click on it to sign up!

BASIC PLAN
Does your horse enjoy the life of leisure and rarely leaves the property? Two basic exams (spring and fall), an oral exam check, Core vaccines (Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies), Flu/Rhino, one fecal, and one dental (not including sedation). If you have a gelding, there is an additional feel sheath cleaning.
PLUS PLAN
Covers the needs of most horses in our practice. Two annual exams and consult, two oral exams, Core vaccines (Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies), Flu/Rhino, Strangles, one fecal, a Coggins, and one dental (not including sedation). If you have a gelding, there is an additional fee for sheath cleaning. With this plan you get 5% off all prescriptions and over the counter medications, along with 10% off Emergency services.
PERFORMANCE PLAN
Does your horse work as hard as you do? Two annual exams and consult, Nutrition consult, two oral exam check, Core vaccines (Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies), Flu/Rhino), Potomac, Strangles, two fecals, one dental (not including sedation), Coggins, one basic gait exam, CBC/Chemistry, front feet farrier films (4 views), and an imaging credit of $70. If you have a gelding, there is an additional fee for sheath cleaning. With this plan you get 5% off all prescriptions and over the counter medications, along with 10% off Emergency services.
SENIOR PLAN
Keeping the older horse feeling young. Two annual exams and consult, Nutrition consult, two oral exam check, Core vaccines (Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies, and Flu/Rhino), risk based vaccines (Potomac and Strangles), two fecals, one dental (not including sedation), Coggins, one basic gait exam, CBC/Chemistry, Metabolic Panel including TRH and front feet farrier films (4 views). If you have a gelding, there is an additional fee for sheath cleaning. With this plan you get 5% off all prescriptions and over the counter medications, along with 10% off Emergency services.
FOAL PLAN
Did your mare just have a foal or did you just buy one? The foal plan is for you! Two annual exams and consult, Nutrition consult, two vaccine exams, all Core vaccines (Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies), Flu/Rhino, and Strangles with the three boosters, deworming, two fecals and a microchip placement with registration. If you have a colt, there will be a credit applied to your account for $150 for Premier Equine to perform the castration.

Basic Exam

The basic exam includes temperature, heart rate and rhythm, and respiratory rate. The veterinarian will also assess your horse’s body condition score (weight) and topline muscling.

Annual Exam and Consult

The annual exam and consult include temperature, heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate and effort, body condition score, and topline. In addition, gut sounds and digital pulses will be assessed. This evaluates your horse’s gut motility and health and checks for inflammation of the soft tissue of the feet, respectively. Your veterinarian will also perform a brief ocular (eye) exam to check for significant abnormalities or typical age-related changes. Following the exam, your veterinarian can provide you recommendations to improve your horse’s quality of life and overall health.

Vaccinations

Vaccines are one of the easiest and most affordable methods to protect your stock from infectious diseases. At Premier Equine Veterinary Service, we provide the core vaccines recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), as well as risk-based vaccines to protect individual horses or horses in the greater Chicago area. We stagger the administration of these vaccines between the spring and fall, which ensures that your horses are also getting a basic veterinary checkup twice per year.

Eastern and Western Encephalitis

These are two types of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that are almost always fatal. They are caused by viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes which means every horse in this area regardless of work or environment can be exposed. It is considered a core vaccination by the AAEP.

Tetanus

This is a neuromuscular disease (affecting brain and muscle) caused by a bacteria commonly found in the environment. Horses are typically exposed via a break in the skin. Any horse in this area regardless of work or environment can be exposed. It is considered a core vaccination by the AAEP.

West Nile

West Nile Virus (WNV) is another mosquito borne disease that causes neurologic signs. As with Eastern and Western encephalitis, it is very difficult and expensive to treat and is typically fatal. As with other mosquito borne diseases, any horse in this area regardless of work or environment can be exposed. It is considered a core vaccination by the AAEP.

Rabies

Rabies is a severe neurologic disease caused by a virus. It is spread by bites from wild animals. This disease is always fatal in horses and is zoonotic (can be spread to humans). This makes it a public health concern. Due to its risk to public health and mode of transmission, it is also considered a core vaccination by the AAEP.

Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis)(Flu/Rhino)

Equine Herpes virus (EHV) is a highly contagious respiratory virus. There are a few different strains of this virus. It typically causes upper respiratory tissues but can cause abortion in pregnant mares and neurologic disease. It is very important for horses that travel or horses in a barn with other horses that travel. This is a twice yearly vaccination.

Strangles

Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory bacterial infection. It causes fevers and abscesses that, in severe cases, can constrict the trachea and cause horses to suffocate. It is very important for horses that travel or horses in a barn with other horses that travel. Horses that become infected can become carriers and spread the disease to other horses for years. The vaccine is not 100% effective but has been shown to lessen the severity of the disease.

Potomac Horse Fever

Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is a bacterial infection spread by water insects. It causes diarrhea, fevers (as the name suggests), and, in some cases, laminitis (inflammation of the soft tissue of the foot). The vaccine is not 100% effective but has been shown to lessen the severity of the disease.

Dental

An equine dental exam begins with a thorough examination of the horse’s oral cavity using a speculum with sedation. The veterinarian will check for problems such as ulceration of the cheeks and tongue (caused by the teeth), periodontal (gum) disease, excessive growth of certain teeth, and missing or cracked teeth.
Horses should also have their teeth floated once a year. We use Power Floats to achieve this. Power Floats use a circular motion that is gentler on the horse and more advanced than the older hand floats, which used a back-and-forth motion. Power Floats also allow for more precision than hand floats. This is included in some of our wellness plans. Sedation is horse dependent and is a separate cost.

Sheath Cleaning

Sheath cleanings are performed on geldings and stallions to remove buildup of dirt and debris within their sheath and around their penis. Excessive buildup can cause discomfort and irritation. These are commonly done following dentals because the horse is already sedated.

Coggins Test

This test is to identify the presence of antibodies in the horse’s blood against the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus. This virus is transmitted by biting flies, and there is no vaccine or cure for this disease. This test is required by most horse shows, boarding facilities, and interstate travel. In Illinois, a Coggins is good for one year from the date that the blood was drawn.

Fecal Testing

Fecal testing examines the horse’s fecal sample for parasites. Not all parasites are visible under a microscope and require further analysis. We use fecal egg counts in the sample to determine the best deworming program for your horse. All horses should be dewormed twice yearly. One fecal exam is included with each of our wellness packages.

Front feet Farrier Films

Farrier films are x-rays of the sides and front to back of your horse’s feet. Veterinarians can work with your farrier to determine if your horse may benefit from shoes, if they have a history of laminitis, their sole depth, and if their foot is overall balanced.

Metabolic Panel

This is the preferred test for Cushing’s and metabolic disease. Cushing’s disease is common in older horses and causes weight loss, poor hair coat quality, and decreases the immune system and the body’s ability to heal. The panel also checks your horse’s thyroid and insulin. This will allow your doctor to provide more tailored diet recommendations to keep your horse healthy.

CBC/Chemistry

Provides a complete analysis of your horse’s blood profile. The CBC is used to identify signs of anemia, infection, or inflammatory disease by looking at red and white blood cells. The chemistry is an indicator of organ function by measuring enzymes of the liver and kidneys and the electrolytes in the blood.

Payment

Payment is required in full at the time of signing up. Credit Card/Debit, Care Credit, or Cash are accepted. The total cost for each wellness plan covers all listed services for one horse. It does not include farm call charges, fees for Add-on services, or changes for any other services rendered at the time of the wellness appointment.

Enrollment

Horses enrolled in any Wellness plan are entitled to one spring and one fall wellness visit in a 12-month period following enrollment. Enrollment does not automatically carry over. Horses must be re-enrolled annually to continue taking advantage of the program.

Discounted Services (Emergency Fees, RX, OTC)

Discounted emergency fees do not apply for calls made after 10pm, and the discount only applies to the horse that is enrolled in the plan. Other discounts that may be added to your plan, only apply to the horse that is enrolled in the plan. Discounts also do not apply to any RX or OTC that have been purchased over our online pharmacy or outside prescriptions.

Other Services

Services not included on the plan will be invoiced at full price, and payment will be due at time of service.

Cancellation Policy

If you choose to cancel the plan, you can transfer the plan to another horse, or we can leave the total amount that was paid on your account for other services.

Refunds

We are not able to offer refunds if you do not use your plan. If you decline services covered by your plan, or you don’t utilize the services on the plan, that is fine, but we cannot refund or create customs plans.

Death or sale of a horse

If a horse dies or is sold while on the plan, the plan will be considered canceled. See cancellation terms.

Appointment Scheduling / Rescheduling

We will make several attempts to reach out to our clients to schedule wellness plans. If our calls, texts, or emails are not returned, we will consider that service is declined.

Trip Fees

Please be aware that these wellness plans do not include trip fees. Your credit card on file will be charged at each visit for the trip fee, add on services, and additional medications. If you schedule an appointment at our clinic location, then a trip fee will not be applied.