Equine/Small Animal Track

Core & Elective Rotations

Core

Equine Medicine

Medical management of equine diseases and ambulatory clinic experience.

Core

Small Animal Medicine

Diagnosis and management of common and complex medical conditions in dogs and cats.

Core

Equine Surgery

Operative techniques in equine surgical procedures with perioperative management.

Core

Small Animal Surgery

Operative training in routine and advanced surgical procedures for companion animals.

Elective

Emergency & Critical Care

Multi-species acute care and trauma management with 24-hour rotating shifts.

Elective

Lameness & Orthopedics

Equine orthopedic diagnosis and management including diagnostic anesthesia and imaging.

Elective

Specialty Services

Cardiology, dermatology, neurology, or other specialties available by interest and availability.

Elective

Additional Electives

Dentistry, ophthalmology, anesthesia, or advanced surgical techniques of choice.

Suggested Rotation Timeline

Month	Primary Rotation	Secondary Rotation
July	Equine Medicine	Small Animal Medicine
August	Small Animal Surgery	Equine Surgery
September	Emergency & Critical Care	Multi-species rotation blocks
October-December	Elective Rotations	Species-specific specialty services
January-February	Additional Electives	Flexible scheduling

Clinical Pearls for Mixed Species Practice

🐕🐴 Species-Specific Considerations

Physiology Differences: Understand key differences in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacokinetics between equine and small animal patients.
Drug Dosing: Master weight-based calculations and species-specific drug dosing; know which drugs are contraindicated in certain species.
Diagnostic Interpretation: Learn species-specific reference ranges for bloodwork and interpret results appropriately for each species.
Anesthesia Protocols: Develop competency in anesthesia approaches for both large and small patients; understand species-specific risks and considerations.

🏥 Clinical Triage & Prioritization

Emergency Assessment: Rapidly assess and triage acute patients of different species; recognize species-specific emergency presentations.
Stabilization Approaches: Initiate appropriate stabilization measures for both equine and small animal emergencies.
Surgical Decision-Making: Determine when medical vs. surgical intervention is appropriate for both species.
Resource Allocation: Balance clinical needs between multiple species when resources (time, medications) are limited.

⚕️ Communication & Client Education

Species-Appropriate Explanations: Explain diagnoses and treatment options in language appropriate for each client type (horse vs. pet owner).
Cost vs. Benefit Discussion: Discuss realistic prognosis and treatment options considering owner expectations and financial considerations.
Preventive Medicine: Counsel on appropriate preventive care, nutrition, and management for both species.
Long-term Relationships: Build trust across diverse client base (equestrian and small animal veterinary medicine).

🔬 Diagnostic Approach Across Species

Problem-Oriented Approach: Use systematic diagnostic reasoning across species; create problem lists and differential diagnoses.
Test Selection: Choose appropriate diagnostics based on likelihood of disease and cost-benefit for each species.
Imaging Interpretation: Develop skill in interpreting radiographs, ultrasound, and other imaging across species.
Sample Collection: Master sampling techniques appropriate for different species (nasogastric tube in horses vs. synovial fluid from dogs).

Clinical Scenarios & Quiz Questions

1. You are covering both an equine farm and a small animal clinic. A horse presents with colic and a dog presents with acute vomiting and abdominal pain. How do you prioritize your workload and resources?

A. Triage both patients appropriately: Equine colic may be a surgical emergency — perform rapid assessment and imaging. Small animal patient — obtain IV access, bloodwork, imaging. Contact specialist/refer if surgical colic is confirmed. Manage medical cases concurrently.

2. A Labrador retriever and a quarter horse both present with fever. How does your diagnostic approach differ between the two patients?

A. Species-specific diagnostics: Dog: CBC, chemistry, urinalysis, imaging, culture if appropriate. Horse: CBC, chemistry, fibrinogen, peritoneal fluid if indicated, imaging. Consider species-specific infections (EHV, EIA in horses; infectious agents in dogs).

3. You must administer pain medication to both a 1,000 lb horse with colic and a 50 lb dog with a fractured leg. What are the critical differences in your drug selection and dosing?

A. Species-specific considerations: Horse: NSAIDs (phenylbutazone, firocoxib), opioids (morphine, butorphanol), possibly licofelone. Dog: NSAIDs (carprofen, meloxicam), opioids (buprenorphine, hydromorphone). Calculate weight-based doses carefully; understand metabolism and contraindications.

4. You have limited IV access supplies and must choose between treating a dehydrated horse and a septic small animal patient. What is your decision-making process?

A. Critical patient prioritization: Septic small animal likely requires aggressive IV therapy immediately. Horse with dehydration — assess severity; may tolerate oral rehydration or slower IV therapy. Order emergency supplies while managing both patients.

5. A horse requires a major surgical procedure and a dog needs routine surgery the same day. How do you schedule and manage both cases?

A. Surgical scheduling: Prioritize based on acuity (emergency colic goes first) and complexity. Ensure adequate staffing for both procedures; consider anesthesia support needs (horses require specialized anesthesia). Schedule smaller case during longer equine procedure recovery if possible.

6. Compare approach to lameness evaluation in an equine patient versus orthopedic lameness in a dog. What are the key differences?

A. Species-specific orthopedic approach: Horse: Systematic lameness exam with gait evaluation at walk/trot, localization via flexion and intra-articular anesthesia, radiographs/ultrasound. Dog: Gait evaluation, orthopedic exam, palpation for pain/effusion, radiographs. Differences in anatomy and biomechanics drive different diagnostic strategies.

7. A horse owner and a dog owner both ask about long-term prognosis for a chronic condition. How do you tailor your communication to each client?

A. Client-appropriate communication: Horse: Discuss performance implications, realistic expectations for athletic use, management/treatment costs. Dog: Focus on quality of life, activity limitations, treatment efficacy and side effects. Adapt to client understanding and priorities.

8. A horse needs radiographs and a dog needs abdominal ultrasound. You have one imaging suite. How do you manage scheduling and logistics?

A. Imaging logistics: Estimate time needed for each procedure (equine radiographs generally 30-60 min; abdominal ultrasound 20-30 min). Schedule smaller/faster case between larger procedures. Consider patient sedation/anesthesia needs for equine radiographs.

9. Both an equine and small animal patient require emergency surgery within the next 2 hours. You have surgical staff and anesthesia support. What is your management plan?

A. Emergency surgical triage: Determine acuity of each case. Equine colic/trauma typically highest priority. If both truly emergent — call additional staff, schedule concurrently with separate anesthesia support, or transfer one case to another facility if possible.

10. Describe how you would manage vaccines, antiparasitic protocols, and preventive care counseling for both equine and small animal clients in your practice.

A. Species-specific preventive medicine: Horses: Annual vaccination (influenza, rhino, tetanus, rabies), deworming programs, dental care, nutrition. Dogs: Vaccination schedule (DHPP, rabies), heartworm/flea prevention, dental care, nutrition. Tailor recommendations to lifestyle (performance horse vs. family pet) and risk factors.

Core & Elective Rotations

Equine Medicine

Small Animal Medicine

Equine Surgery

Small Animal Surgery

Emergency & Critical Care

Lameness & Orthopedics

Specialty Services

Additional Electives

Suggested Rotation Timeline

Clinical Pearls for Mixed Species Practice

🐕🐴 Species-Specific Considerations

🏥 Clinical Triage & Prioritization

⚕️ Communication & Client Education

🔬 Diagnostic Approach Across Species

Clinical Scenarios & Quiz Questions

1. You are covering both an equine farm and a small animal clinic. A horse presents with colic and a dog presents with acute vomiting and abdominal pain. How do you prioritize your workload and resources?

2. A Labrador retriever and a quarter horse both present with fever. How does your diagnostic approach differ between the two patients?

3. You must administer pain medication to both a 1,000 lb horse with colic and a 50 lb dog with a fractured leg. What are the critical differences in your drug selection and dosing?

4. You have limited IV access supplies and must choose between treating a dehydrated horse and a septic small animal patient. What is your decision-making process?

5. A horse requires a major surgical procedure and a dog needs routine surgery the same day. How do you schedule and manage both cases?

6. Compare approach to lameness evaluation in an equine patient versus orthopedic lameness in a dog. What are the key differences?

7. A horse owner and a dog owner both ask about long-term prognosis for a chronic condition. How do you tailor your communication to each client?

8. A horse needs radiographs and a dog needs abdominal ultrasound. You have one imaging suite. How do you manage scheduling and logistics?

9. Both an equine and small animal patient require emergency surgery within the next 2 hours. You have surgical staff and anesthesia support. What is your management plan?

10. Describe how you would manage vaccines, antiparasitic protocols, and preventive care counseling for both equine and small animal clients in your practice.

Ready to Start Your Mixed Species Rotation?