Monthly Archives: October 2011

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of encephalitis in horses and humans in the United States. In 2009, Arizona had 20 human West Nile cases and no horse cases. During 2010, the number of cases increased dramatically with 164 … Continue reading →

Annie is an 8 year old quarter horse mare that has something going on inside of her. She has always been great at her job, but lately hasn’t been herself. She doesn’t eat as quickly as her neighbor, and is … Continue reading →

There is not one de-worming protocol that is perfect for all horses. A de-worming protocol should take into account many factors, including density, ground environment, and local weather. Perhaps the most widely useful de-worming protocol involves the daily wormer, Strongid … Continue reading →

Vaccinations Lauren Jacobsen, DVM What are vaccines and why do we use them? A vaccine is a dampened-down version of a disease (usually viral, bacterial, or parasitic) that is administered into the body to augment the immune system’s ability to … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again, when the pastures turn green, the desert trails are calling, and all horses should be vaccinated. Maybe you are considering vaccinating your own horse this time around. We realize that it may be tempting … Continue reading →

Horses have the largest eyes of all land mammals. They are prey animals and must be constantly aware of their surroundings. The position of their eyes enables them to see approximately 350 degrees. They have good day and night vision … Continue reading →

While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management can play a key role in prevention. Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines can maximize horse health and reduce the … Continue reading →

As the heat of summer quickly approaches and the temperature rises, so do the number of flies in and around the barn and stable.  The common house and stable fly are intermediate hosts in the disease process of mucocutaneous habronemiasis … Continue reading →

Rattlesnakes are native to the Sonoran Desert. As spring approaches, the venomous reptiles become more active and this means more encounters with humans and animals.    Due to the curious nature of horses, they often investigate new or strange objects … Continue reading →

There are many potential zoonotic diseases (passed between animals and humans) that animal owners should be aware of.   Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system causing fatal encephalitis in affected animals.  It is a seldom encountered … Continue reading →