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 human cases, 12 of which resulted in death, and 5 horses also tested positive for the disease. 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 a little more on edge, and maybe she’s a little off at her competition. Annie needs help from her owner and her veterinarian. After Annie was examined and a history was taken, it was decided to place a video endoscope into her stomach to see what the cause may be. As you may have expected, Annie has stomach ulcers.

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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 C 2X, and twice yearly ivermectin dosing. This program is not perfect, but is the most widely useful and we have confidence in its safety and efficacy.

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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 recognize that particular disease and shorten the time frame and increase the strength needed to fight it.  After the initial vaccine, they are given at scheduled intervals to “boost” or refresh the memory of the immune system.  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 to cut a few corners in an effort to save a few bucks. We would like you to weigh the following while you are making your decision.

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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 and can visualize blue, yellow, and green color patterns.

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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 risk of colic: 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 also known as “summer sores.”  These persistent lesions are the direct result of skin, eye, or wound infection due to the stomach parasite Habronema spp or Draschia megastoma. Adult Habronema spp and Draschia megastoma are 6-25mm in length. 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 with an outreached muzzle for a quick sniff.  This innocent gesture towards a venomous snake often results in a defensive strike from the reptile.  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 neurologic disease in horses; however, it is invariably fatal and has considerable public health concerns.

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