Equine Field Service

The Purdue University Veterinary Hospital Equine Field Service (EFS) provides on-farm primary care and 24/7 emergency care for established clients/patients residing in Tippecanoe county and surrounding areas. To become established as an EFS client or to schedule a non-emergency appointment, please call us at 765-494-9014. Our phones are answered between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message with your name, phone number, and what type of visit you are requesting (ex. vaccines, dental care, other health problem). You do not need a referral to schedule an appointment with EFS.

If you have an equine emergency at any time AND you are an established (current) client, please call 765-494-8548, extension 1, and you will be connected via a receptionist to the veterinarian on-call. If you are NOT an established and current client (routine veterinary care has been performed by EFS on your horse(s) within the past 18 months), you will need to call your regular veterinarian for a farm visit or bring your horse into the Purdue University Equine Animal Hospital for medical attention. The in-house clinician on call can be reached at 765-494-8548 extension 1.

If you have questions regarding cost, length of time to allow for your appointment, or how to adequately prepare your horse for the appointment, please ask our receptionist when making the appointment.

EFS requires that the owner or an authorized agent for the owner will be present with the horse for the scheduled appointment unless otherwise arranged in advance. It is possible that a horse may not be able to be evaluated or treated on-farm if the facility, weather, or horse's disposition or medical condition precludes the ability to safely and properly evaluate/treat the patient on-farm; however, this is left to the discretion of the attending veterinarian. Safety for the patient and all persons involved is of the utmost importance to the Equine Field Service.

When the Equine Field Service veterinary care team arrives, we will arrive in a large pick-up truck and always appreciate being able to pull into an easily accessible area near the patient. There are many members of the veterinary care team which will include a specialty board-certified equine veterinarian and may also include a registered veterinary nurses / technicians, veterinary students in their final clinical year, and/or a veterinary nursing student. Occasionally the field service care team also includes a equine veterinary intern or a equine medicine or surgery resident all of which are veterinarians who are in programs to receive advanced specialty training.

All members of the care team are dedicated to top notch patient care, and client education and communication. During your horse's appointment you should expect to communicate with the veterinary student(s) and nurse(s) as well as the senior veterinary clinician. Client communication, history taking, and physical exam skills are all integral parts of training for our veterinary students.

We make every attempt to evaluate, treat, and provide a care plan in a timely manner. Please be aware that if an emergency case presents prior to your scheduled appointment time, we may have to postpone or reschedule your appointment so that emergency care can be provided. We appreciate your understanding.

The Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and its field services are not funded to provide low cost or free veterinary care. The hospital is self-supporting. The fees charged for veterinary care must cover the costs to run our hospital and field services. On-site visits include mileage fees in addition to any examination and treatment costs.

The field service accepts payment by cash, check, Master Card, Visa, and Discover cards. CareCredit, through GE Money Bank, is also available to clients that qualify.

On-site visits are often billed after the appointment, however payment at the time of service is appreciated and is required for first visits with new clients. We accept checks, exact cash, and our ambulatory trucks are equipped with the ability to accept credit cards. Sometimes not all charges are known at the conclusion of the appointment due to lab work that may be submitted or costs of medications that are unknown in the field. The hospital will call all owners who have late appearing charges added to their bill to make them aware of those charges and to collect payment.

If you have any questions on payments or applying for CareCredit, feel free to contact our Billing Office at 765-494-8783.

If you have an equine emergency at any time, please call 765-494-8548 extension 1, and you will be connected via a receptionist to the veterinarian on call.

There is an additional fee for emergencies which varies based on whether the emergency is attended during normal business hours or after hours.

Equine Field Service veterinarians will make every effort to arrive to your horse as quickly and safely as possible, but please understand that our travel radius can be quite wide and it may take time to arrive at your farm if we are on the opposite end of the radius at the time of your emergency.

As a client of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, you have certain rights and responsibilities.

1. To expect and receive appropriate treatment for your horse(s) as determined by our capabilities and mission statement.
2. To be treated with consideration, respect, and compassion by all members of our staff.
3. To be informed, in terms that you understand, of the nature of your horse(s)' illness and of treatment options (including risks and benefits) available both here and elsewhere.
4. To be informed of the costs of evaluation and treatment, and payment options available.
5. To accept or reject treatments or diagnostic tests for your horse(s). You are not required to admit your horse to the hospital or to allow any testing or treatment that you do not approve, and you have the right to be informed of the consequences of refusal of treatment or testing.
6. To be informed of any clinical trials available for conditions that affect your horse, and to have the opportunity to participate in these programs if your horse meets the criteria for inclusion, and you agree to the terms and conditions of the program(s).
7. To change your mind about any tests or treatments to which you have consented, notifying us before these procedures occur, and to be informed of the consequences of these decisions.
8. To receive prompt and courteous replies to any concerns you raise regarding the quality of care or service you receive here.
9. To be assured that medical and personal information is handled in a confidential manner, and to be able to request copies of information in your horse's medical records.

1. To provide all requested health information about your horse(s).
2. To read and understand any consent forms that you sign. To ask questions of any member of our staff if you do not understand instructions or information they provide.
3. To accept that we are a teaching hospital, and that your horse will be seen by a team consisting of students, veterinary nurses, and clinicians (faculty, residents, and interns).
4. To observe the policies and procedures of our facility, including appointment times, visiting and telephone hours; smoking policies; and payment policies.
5. To be considerate of others whose horses are receiving care. To inform us immediately if you change your mind about any tests or treatments that you have previously agreed to.
6. To accept the financial obligations agreed to when your horse is seen at our facility, and to provide accurate information if you request financial assistance.
7. To take an active role in the diagnosis and treatment of your horse's medical or surgical condition.
8. To follow the instructions, you receive for care of your horse at home.
9. To advise your horse's caregivers if you have any concerns or are dissatisfied in any way.
10. To treat every member of our staff with respect and consideration.

Veterinary Faculty Member and Clinician

The veterinary faculty member is the senior clinician supervising the clinical service. This is a graduate of a veterinary college, has completed a residency or additional training in their particular area of interest, has completed all requirements and is certified as a specialist or is working towards that goal. The role of the senior clinician is to supervise the residents, interns, veterinary nurses, and students, and this clinician makes the ultimate decisions about your horse's tests, treatments, and discharge plans.

Veterinary Resident

The veterinary resident is a graduate of a veterinary college, has completed an internship or been in private practice, and is now in an advanced training program focused on becoming a specialist in a particular area of interest. This may be the first doctor to see your horse and coordinate care, and is supervised by a faculty clinician.

Veterinary Intern

The veterinary intern is a graduate of a veterinary college and is now engaged in an advanced training program focused on medical and surgical care of patients. This may be the first doctor to see your horse, and is supervised by a resident, emergency clinician, and/or a faculty clinician.

Registered Veterinary Nurse / Technician

The registered veterinary nurse / technician (RVT) is a graduate of a veterinary nursing or technology program and is credentialed by the State of Indiana as a Registered Veterinary Technician. The technician participates in every phase of patient care; or diagnostic testing under the supervision of the veterinarian, and may have extra training and/or certification in particular specialties. This role works closely with all members of the team to provide attentive, quality patient care.

Veterinary Medical Student

The veterinary medical student is in their fourth and final year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, and is often the first person to see your horse. The veterinary medical student works under close supervision by faculty clinicians, residents, interns, emergency veterinarians, and registered veterinary nurse / technicians.

Veterinary Nursing Student

The veterinary nursing student is studying to become a registered veterinary nurse / technician. This role assists in the treatment of your horse under the supervision of doctors and registered veterinary nurse / technicians. The Equine Fiels Service has fully equipped veterinary trucks to serve horses at your location.

• A 35 mile radius from the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital: Scheduled elective/routine work and emergency work for existing and new clients.
• A 35-50 mile radius from the hospital: Scheduled elective/routine work but limited emergency work. Please discuss the limitations of our emergency work with us when you schedule your first appointment.
• Greater than 50 mile radius from the hospital: Special cases will be addressed on an individual basis, including but not limited to referral work from other area veterinarians.