Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care

Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care is a specialized veterinary practice located with a mailing address at 91 Auburn St Ste J, Portland, ME 04103, USA. Crucially, it operates as an ambulatory equine practice, meaning its veterinarians travel to the horses, donkeys, and mules at their farms or stables throughout Greater Portland, Maine, and beyond. This unique model of care is designed to provide veterinary services in the familiar and less stressful environment of the animal's home. They can be contacted by phone at (207) 370-1645. Back Cove Equine prides itself on delivering a high level of equine veterinary medicine coupled with friendly and compassionate service.

As a 'Pet Hospital' in its specialized category, Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care stands out by exclusively focusing on equids (horses, donkeys, and mules). Unlike typical small animal 'pet hospitals' that have a physical clinic for walk-in appointments, Back Cove Equine brings the veterinary care directly to the patient. This mobile approach is fundamental to their service delivery, acknowledging the logistical challenges and stress involved in transporting large animals to a traditional clinic setting. The single review provided, "Excellent care!", while brief, speaks to the quality of service clients receive in this specialized setting.

---

The primary "environment" of Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care is the horse's own farm or stable. This ambulatory model is a significant advantage for equine patients, as it minimizes stress associated with travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and exposure to other animals in a clinic setting. Veterinarians arrive at the client's location, bringing necessary equipment and supplies to conduct examinations, perform treatments, and even carry out minor procedures on-site. This allows for a more relaxed and cooperative patient, which can lead to more accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.

While there isn't a physical clinic environment for clients to visit for appointments, the professionalism and approachability of the veterinary team are paramount. The team is highly trained and experienced in handling equine patients, understanding their biology and behavior. This expertise allows them to adapt to various farm conditions and individual animal temperaments, ensuring a calm and efficient visit. The "mailing address only" at 91 Auburn St Ste J, Portland, ME 04103, USA, clarifies that this is an administrative hub, not a facility for patient intake.

---

Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care offers a wide array of services designed to meet the diverse health needs of equids. These include:

• Routine Exams: Comprehensive examinations are provided on-farm, including annual wellness exams, lameness exams, sick animal exams, and examinations for health certificates required for travel. Regular checkups are emphasized as crucial for establishing baseline health and detecting potential issues early.

• Preventative Care: This is a cornerstone of their practice. Services include tailored vaccination programs to protect against common equine diseases, Coggins testing for Equine Infectious Anemia (a common requirement for travel and shows), and microchipping for identification.

• Spinal Manipulation (Chiropractic): Dr. Flaherty, one of the veterinarians, is a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner (CVMMP). This specialized service aims to improve horses' motion, comfort, blood flow, and neurologic function, contributing to overall health and performance. This is a unique and valuable offering for equine athletes and those with musculoskeletal issues.

• Equine Dentistry: Understanding the vital role of dental health in a horse's overall well-being, Back Cove Equine provides comprehensive dental care. This includes routine dental floating (filing down sharp points on teeth), thorough oral examinations typically performed under sedation with an oral speculum and headstand for full evaluation, and dental radiography (X-rays) to diagnose underlying issues.

• Emergency Services: Recognizing that emergencies can happen at any time, Back Cove Equine offers 24-hour emergency service. They are part of a group of local veterinarians who share on-call emergency coverage, ensuring that a veterinarian is always available to attend to urgent equine needs, day or night. The primary number, (207) 370-1645, directs callers to the on-call doctor in an emergency.

• Lameness Evaluations: Thorough assessments to identify the cause of lameness, which can involve physical examinations, flexion tests, and potentially advanced diagnostics performed on-site or through referral.

• Pre-Purchase Exams: Comprehensive examinations performed before a horse is purchased to assess its overall health, soundness, and suitability for its intended use.

• Reproductive Services: While not explicitly detailed, equine practices often provide breeding soundness exams, artificial insemination support, and mare/foal care. Given their comprehensive nature, it's likely they offer at least basic reproductive support.

• Referral Services: For complex diagnostic work, surgery, or intensive care that cannot be performed on the farm, Back Cove Equine has established relationships with excellent local referral clinics, ensuring continuity of care for their patients.

---

A primary feature of Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care is its ambulatory nature, which allows for a high degree of convenience and reduced stress for equine patients. This on-farm service is a significant advantage for horse owners, eliminating the need for trailer transport and clinic visits for many routine and urgent health issues. The practice prides itself on possessing the talent and expertise to manage equine health issues directly at the farm, emphasizing their specialized knowledge in equine medicine.

Another key feature is their 24-hour emergency service, which provides crucial support for horse owners facing unexpected health crises. Being part of a shared on-call system ensures that a veterinarian is always accessible, reflecting a strong commitment to patient welfare around the clock.

The highly qualified team, including Dr. Rachel Flaherty who has been practicing since 2003 and specializes in spinal manipulation, adds to the clinic's credibility and the breadth of services offered. The practice also emphasizes client education, providing information and guidance to help owners make informed decisions about their horse's health care. They aim to nurture the human-horse bond and appreciate the role they play in their patients' well-being.

Regarding promotional information, Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care encourages clients to check their website's "Specials" page for different offers that can help them save on services and products. These specials change periodically, so clients are advised to check frequently and present the offer (either printed or on their phone) at the time of service. This indicates a proactive approach to providing value to their loyal clientele. They also maintain a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, which often serves as a channel for sharing updates, health tips, and occasional promotions. Their dedication to "nurturing the human-horse bond" and providing "the highest level of equine veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service" serves as a continuous promotional message, attracting clients who value expert care delivered with empathy.

In conclusion, Back Cove Equine Veterinary Care provides essential and specialized 'Pet Hospital' services tailored specifically for horses, donkeys, and mules in the Greater Portland, ME area. Its mobile, on-farm model offers unparalleled convenience and minimizes stress for these large animals. With a comprehensive range of routine, preventative, dental, diagnostic, specialized (like spinal manipulation), and emergency services, backed by a highly experienced and compassionate team, Back Cove Equine is a vital resource for local equine owners. Their commitment to accessibility, comprehensive care, and client education positions them as a trusted partner in maintaining the health and well-being of the region's equine population.