Country Veterinary Service

06/12/2026

Screwworm was found in a dog in Texas. What does that mean for your pets?
Texas Public Radio | By Jayme Lozano Carver | The Texas Tribune
Published June 11, 2026 at 5:07 PM CDT
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Yes, your pets are susceptible to screwworm, but veterinarians say it is treatable.
Olivia Anderson
/
The Texas Tribune
Yes, your pets are susceptible to screwworm, but veterinarians say it is treatable.
LUBBOCK — The New World screwworm has burrowed itself into Texans’ consciousness after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed seven cases — six in Texas and one in New Mexico — in the last week.

After hearing the horrendous way it affects livestock, many were left asking: What about my fur baby?

The parasitic fly targets animals with wounds and lays its eggs in any openings, leaving the eggs to hatch into maggots and burrow into the animal to feed on living flesh. It is notorious for devastating the cattle and livestock industry and, so far, cases have been caught in young calves and a goat in South Texas. However, a dog from New Mexico that visited Andrews County in West Texas also has a confirmed case of the screwworm.

“It’s not a time to panic,” said Guy Loneragan, dean and professor for the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. “We have been preparing for this for almost 18 months or longer in many cases, and there is a plan to address it.”

Local, state and federal officials are working to track screwworm cases and containment efforts, including the release of sterile flies to mate with the screwworm so she will lay unfertilized eggs. Experts, including U.S. Agriculture Sec. Brooke Rollins, say the screwworm outbreak may continue for a few months at least.

Since the New World screwworm targets any warm-blooded mammal, including humans, pets are at risk of screwworm infestation.

Here are some things pet owners need to be aware of:

Can screwworms affect my cat or dog?

Short answer: yes. The screwworm can affect all warm-blooded animals and in different ways. For example, the screwworm tends to infect any open wound on an animal. For pet owners, this could be any regular, everyday wound, such as tick bites, small scrapes and cuts from being outside, or if their cat or dog gets into a fight with another animal.

It can also invade any openings on the body — the mouth, eyes, nose, even the reproductive areas. The screwworm will lay eggs on the edge of the wound or opening, which hatch quickly and become maggots. One female can lay 200-300 eggs at a time, and may lay up to 3,000 eggs during her 10- to 30-day lifespan.

“There are lots of areas that can become infested,” said Loneragan.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife, the maggots have sharp mouth hooks that can tear at the tissue of the animal it’s in. The wound becomes larger and deeper as more eggs hatch and larvae continue to feed on the animal. The infestation could be fatal for dogs and cats, depending on the location of the infestation and the severity, along with the timing of the diagnosis.

Loneragan said birds can also become infested, but it’s not very common.

“That’s beneficial to us because it means that migrating birds aren’t moving this around to the best of our knowledge,” Loneragan said.

What symptoms should I look for?

If an animal becomes infected, owners will know based on how the animal acts. The maggots feeding into their flesh causes discomfort and intense pain in some cases. There may be some discharge coming from the infected area that can help pet owners identify the infection.

“The animals will demonstrate they are uncomfortable or a wound is causing a lot of pain,” Loneragan said. “Discharge coming from the area is described as having a foul, putrid smell.”

Other signs include seeing animals bite or lick at their wounds, and unusual restlessness. In some cases, according to A&M AgriLife, the animal may become aggressive or lethargic from irritability.

When should I take my pet to see a veterinarian?

Pet owners who suspect a case in their cats or dogs should contact their local veterinarian and the Texas Animal Health Commission right away.

Loneragan said the Food and Drug Administration has made certain medicines available, including antiparasitic chewable tablets or topical solutions, to veterinarians to treat both dogs and cats. In the rare case that either a wild bird or a pet bird does get infected by the screwworm, there are FDA-approved antiseptic products to treat them too.

Is screwworm treatable?

Yes, as long as the infection is caught and treated early. Loneragan said that pet owners need to report any suspicions or concerns they have to their veterinarian. The veterinarian can come up with a treatment plan that best fits the animal, the type of wound they have, and where it is.

“Treatment generally will involve removing the larvae, then using a product that would kill any remaining larvae that is too small to see or can’t be seen,” Loneragan said.

Larvicides and insecticides are two products that help veterinarians treat the infections after the maggots are removed. Screwworm may seem scary, especially given its prominence in the media, but Loneragan said the parasite is treatable. Moreover, veterinarians have tools available to treat a wide variety of animals, he said.

“Ultimately, the sooner you can get to the veterinarian, there are excellent treatment options they can prescribe and implement,” Loneragan said.

How can I keep my pets safe?

The most vital thing pet owners can do during this screwworm outbreak is to be extra vigilant and check their animals every day. Owners should inspect their pets for any wounds or openings that could be vulnerable to the screwworm. Keep pets clean and make sure there aren’t any insects, flies or maggots laying on them.

Loneragan said this is also an important time to establish a good relationship with your local veterinarian, if you don’t have one already. Veterinarians will help diagnose and report cases, which will also help officials track where the screwworm is. Many of the treatments also have to be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Texas A&M AgriLife recommends that if a pet is near the U.S.-Mexico border, or traveling to or from Latin America, then that pet should be monitored more regularly. It’s also recommended to use flea, tick and mite medications as needed for parasite management.

There are some scenarios, such as the screwworm flying inside a home, that can only be avoided through fly control techniques.

“They’re a fly. They’re going to move around and can fly between spaces or in spaces,” Loneragan said. “Implement the usual fly control in the house you would normally do, whether it’s a fly swatter or whatever. At that stage, you would be going after all flies.”

Is it contagious?

The infection from a New World screwworm is not contagious like the common cold. Loneragan said just because one pet has it does not necessarily mean another in the house might get it.

However, owners should be extra vigilant if they have multiple pets. For example, a household with more than one dog might have a situation where the dogs fight and scratch each other.

“Now you’ve got two dogs that you really ought to pay close attention to while those wounds are healing,” Loneragan said.

What about stray animals and wildlife?

Stray animals are more susceptible to open wounds and are vulnerable because they live outside, so it’s important that caretakers of stray cats or dogs are also checking for signs of an infection. Similar to inside pets, stray animals will show pain or may have discharge around the wound. If any symptoms are found, Loneragan says to call the local animal control to report it.

“Those things ought to be brought to the attention of animal control very quickly,” Loneragan said. “They can work with the veterinarians they usually do to address it and can implement the same sort of treatment plans if appropriate.”

If you suspect a case of the screwworm in wildlife, don’t approach the animal any closer than 25 yards and report the sighting to the local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or to the Texas Animal Health Commission. According to A&M AgriLife, commonly infested areas of wildlife include the head and neck, along with the umbilical region for newborn animals. Deer are also susceptible to infestation where their antlers shed from their skull or if their antlers are damaged while they grow.

Birthing season for wildlife can also put female animals and their young at risk for infection, causing high mortality for both. Screwworm also has the potential to severely reduce the population of large mammals, such as the white-tailed deer, mule deer and bighorn sheep.

06/10/2026

The Screwworm larva or maggot

06/10/2026

new World Screwworm fly

06/10/2026

USDA reports first case of New World screwworm in a dog
The USDA has confirmed New Mexico’s first NWS case in a dog and is investigating a separate case in a Texas goat.
June 8, 2026

Close-up shot of a New World screwworm (NWS).
New World screwworm (NWS) larvae cause severe, often fatal damage by burrowing into the flesh of livestock, pets, wildlife, birds, and even humans. Photo courtesy USDA APHIS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided additional details about its investigation into a recently reported New World screwworm (NWS) case, clarifying that the affected dog resides in Lea County, New Mexico, rather than Texas. As a result, the case, initially reported by a veterinarian in Andrews County, Tex., is being reclassified as the first detected NWS case in New Mexico.

According to APHIS, the case is believed to be isolated. However, because the dog's recent travel and exposure history remain unknown, federal and state officials have expanded surveillance efforts while continuing to investigate the animal's movement history. Actions underway include inspections and sampling of other animals in the household, fly trapping, and outreach to encourage reporting of additional suspect cases. "

This situation is evolving, and we expect new information to emerge as our investigation continues. USDA is committed to sharing what we learn quickly, accurately, and transparently so animal owners and local communities have the information they need to stay vigilant," says Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. "We are working closely with our partners in New Mexico, Texas, and across the region to ensure we identify, contain, and respond to any potential cases as swiftly as possible."

New World screwworm larvae feed on living tissue and can cause severe wounds, significant animal suffering, and economic losses in livestock and companion animals.

The NWS larva can burrow into and feed on living tissue, causing painful injury
and potentially fatal consequences. Photo by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
In a separate development, USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a case in a goat in Gillespie County, Tex. APHIS and state officials are conducting surveillance, testing, and outreach while gathering additional information about the case. Veterinarians are encouraged to remain alert for suspicious wounds, maggots, or lesions and report suspected infestations promptly.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Contact: [email protected]

USDA Continues to Lead Coordinated Response to New World Screwworm; New Case Confirmed in La Salle County, Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 9, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), alongside State partners in Texas and New Mexico, continues to lead an aggressive response to New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States.

USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed a new case of NWS in a calf in La Salle County, Texas, bringing the total cases of NWS in the United States to five. USDA is working closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to respond and further investigate the case. The joint federal–state field teams have already expanded surveillance and response measures in the area.

NWS poses a serious threat to livestock, pets, wildlife, and in rare cases, people. The larvae feed on living tissue and can cause severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic harm if not detected and treated quickly. Quick detection, treatment, and reporting are vital to safeguarding livestock, wildlife, and pets.

USDA and TAHC are conducting a coordinated response that includes:

Joint epidemiological investigations and case tracing
Additional surveillance, testing, and trapping in the affected areas
Releasing sterile insects and adjusting these operations as needed for the most effective coverage
Conducting outreach to animal owners
Ongoing coordination with local officials, veterinarians, ranchers, and community partners
Guidance for Animal Owners and Veterinarians
The MOST important thing animal owners can do is to know what to look for and how to report suspected cases of NWS. USDA urges everyone in the area to check animals for:

Draining or enlarging wounds
Maggots or egg masses
Signs of discomfort
Lesions in body openings (nose, ears, genitalia, umbilical area)
Anyone who suspects a screwworm infestation should immediately contact their veterinarian, state animal health official, or USDA. Early reporting is essential to ensure animals receive prompt treatment, so they fully recover.

Though rare in people, anyone who notices a suspicious lesion should seek immediate medical care.

Food Safety
The U.S. food supply remains safe. NWS does not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food products. Any affected animal would be identified during USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection, and no contaminated product would enter commerce.

Additional updates and resources are available at Screwworm.gov.

06/08/2026

The State of Texas continues to lead response with USDA support.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Contact: [email protected]

USDA Confirms Two Additional Cases of New World Screwworm in the United States
The State of Texas continues to lead response with USDA support.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 8, 2026 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed two additional cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States – a calf in La Salle County, Texas, and a dog in Andrews County, Texas.

Epidemiological investigations are ongoing for both cases. A veterinarian in Andrews County submitted the samples from the infested dog. Details on this case will be shared as they are available, but early reports indicate the dog was recently in Mexico.

NWS is a serious pest that threatens livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, people. The larvae burrow into the living tissue of animals, causing severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic losses.

“Over the past week, USDA has identified and expeditiously confronted four confirmed detections of New World screwworm. While we address these instances that require immediate attention, and continue to sample suspected cases, we are simultaneously working to eradicate the pest entirely,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “We need the partnership of animal owners across the region – please stay vigilant, check your animals closely, and report anything that looks suspicious. Together, we can protect our livestock, our communities, and the health of animals nationwide.”

USDA and TAHC Response

USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) continue to lead an aggressive unified response, with a total of 75 people actively responding on the ground and hundreds of additional people around the country providing laboratory diagnostics, logistics, treatment distribution, air operations, outreach, operational planning, and resource support for the response. APHIS and TAHC will continue to surge additional trained personnel as needed to ensure an effective response.

For each new case, USDA and TAHC implement actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook, including:

Establishing and maintaining a 20km infested zone with quarantines, movement controls, and heightened surveillance around confirmed detections
Increasing trapping along the border and outside the dispersal zone
Conducting surveillance and management strategies in wildlife
Implementing targeted outreach to local producers, veterinarians, and communities
Intensified Sterile Fly Releases

USDA continues to release sterile flies over and just outside of the infested areas. To ensure sterile fly release operations can be deployed to affected areas in Texas and in northern Mexico near the border as quickly and efficiently as possible, USDA has activated the sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. Sterile pupae arrived at the facility on Friday, and aerial dispersal flights originating from the base will begin tomorrow.

Because it is important to continue ongoing surveillance efforts while releasing sterile insects, it is possible that sterile NWS flies could be caught and/or reported. To ensure officials can tell the difference between sterile and wild NWS flies, USDA dyes the sterile pupae, and the dye transfers to the sterile flies when they hatch. The fluorescent green or orange dye glows under UV light and may also be visible to the naked eye. If a sterile fly is captured in a trap, this dye allows animal health officials to quickly rule the fly out as a threat.

Guidance for Pet and Livestock Owners

USDA urges everyone in the area to check animals for:

Draining or enlarging wounds
Maggots or egg masses
Signs of discomfort
Lesions in body openings (nose, ears, genitalia, umbilical area)
Anyone who suspects a screwworm infestation should immediately contact their veterinarian, state animal health official, or USDA. USDA has established this contact page to ensure everyone can easily find the correct contact information for these groups. In Texas, report suspected cases in livestock directly to TAHC officials by finding your closest area office here.

Though rare in people, anyone who notices a suspicious lesion should seek immediate medical care.

Food Safety

The U.S. food supply remains safe. NWS does not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food products. Any affected animal would be identified during USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspection, and no contaminated product would enter commerce.

Transparency and Sustained On the Ground Response

USDA and its Texas partners are operating with full transparency, committed to keeping producers, veterinarians, local communities, and the public informed as new information becomes available. USDA will continue to provide timely updates and maintain a visible, sustained presence in affected areas.

More information about New World screwworm is available at Screwworm.gov.

05/29/2026

A history of veterinary medicine as America celebrates its 250th anniversary
The American Veterinary Medical History Society has developed resources chronicling the profession’s evolution in the U.S.
Published on May 28, 2026
By Julie A. Jacob

As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary this year, it’s an auspicious time for the veterinary profession to take a look at its history as well.

"The AVMA proudly joins our fellow citizens in celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great nation," says Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, AVMA president. “For 163 of those years, the AVMA has been an important part of our society, playing a vital role in animal wellbeing, public health, medical research, ecological stability, food security, and national defense.

"Even before that, General George Washington directed in 1776 that all Cavalry have farrier support. This recognition of the importance of animal care led to the 1916 establishment of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. Personnel from the veterinary corps have served in every major U.S. conflict since World War I. Moving forward in service to our clients, our patients and our communities, we honor our national semiquincentennial with optimism for the future of our country."

U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library; 1888-1969; Independence Avenue and 7th Street SW, Washinton, D.C. (Source: The Clio)
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library; 1888-1969; Independence Avenue and 7th Street SW, Washinton, D.C. (Source: The Clio)
In an interview with AVMA News, Dr. Howard Erickson, professor emeritus at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who has taught a course on the history of veterinary medicine, shared highlights of the profession’s evolution over the past two-and-a-half centuries.

Further information is taken from the book, "The AVMA: 150 Years of Education, Science, and Service," and other historical publications.

The early years

Our country's founding fathers did not limit their visionary leadership to just governance. As it so happens, these forward-thinking individuals also advocated for the study of veterinary medicine as a science.

The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, formally established in 1785 and with such famous members as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Noah Webster, was at the forefront in the call for veterinary education. In 1805, Richard Peters, president of the Philadelphia Society, offered a gold medal for the best essay promoting veterinary knowledge and instruction.

Benjamin Rush, a physician and another signer of the Declaration of Independence, took up the challenge. His essay, which appeared in the first volume of the "Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture" in 1808, advocated for the study and treatment of diseases in animals, specifically calling on the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania to create a veterinary department. (This wouldn’t happen until 1884.)

Benjamin Rush, MD (1746-1814)
Benjamin Rush, MD (1746-1814)
Prior to the publication of his essay, Dr. Rush "gave a lecture to medical students on the duty and advantages of studying the diseases of domestic animals and the remedies to remove them," notes Dr. Erickson.

Up until the 1800s, America had no veterinary schools, and the few schools founded in the early 19th century were private veterinary colleges, with varying degrees of academic rigor, that came and went.

"The two veterinary schools operating in the U.S. before the Civil War—the Boston Veterinary Institute, which opened in 1854, and the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons, which opened in 1857—did little to dissuade the Army or the public of their skepticism toward the veterinary profession," according to the anniversary book. "These schools were privately owned and profit-driven, and their brief existence was troubled by squabbling, inadequately trained faculty; a lack of committed students; poor admission standards; and unethical behavior."

That all changed with the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862. It provided land for state colleges focused on agriculture and mechanical sciences, spurring the establishment of veterinary colleges across the country. In 1879, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine opened its doors as the first public college of veterinary medicine, and it’s the oldest, still in existence in the United States.

Old Veterinary Hospital, erected at the same time as the Sanitary Building, at Iowa State University. (Source: "History of veterinary medicine at Iowa State College" by Charles H. Stange)
Old Veterinary Hospital, erected at the same time as the Sanitary Building, at Iowa State University. (Source: "History of veterinary medicine at Iowa State College" by Charles H. Stange)
Organized veterinary medicine began in 1863, one year after the Morrill Act passed, when 40 veterinarians from seven states founded the U.S. Veterinary Medical Association. Their objective was to "elevate the veterinary art," according to Dr. J. Fred Smithcors’ 1963 book, "The American Veterinary Profession." In 1898, the organization changed its name to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The founding members agreed to admit, after oral examination, any “veterinary practitioner” or student of three years' standing in the profession who had documents and testimonials related to their qualifications, Dr. Smithcors wrote. At the time, men with no medical education continued to call themselves veterinarians.

In 1887, the organization passed a resolution saying that veterinary colleges should adopt common requirements, such as uniform matriculation examinations and graduation examinations by a common examining board.

U.S. Veterinary Medical Association meeting attendees in 1895 in Des Moines, Iowa
U.S. Veterinary Medical Association meeting attendees in 1895 in Des Moines, Iowa
The late 19th century also marked a tragic event that impacted the course of veterinary medicine in the U.S.: In 1872, an outbreak of equine influenza killed up to 554,000 horses and ponies as well as up to hundreds of thousands of mules and donkeys in North America.

"It was a real disaster because horses were used for agriculture, industry, and transportation," notes Dr. Erickson.

The need for equine veterinarians was evident. During the 1870s and 1880s, the U.S. horse population grew by about 45% every 10 years. By 1891, the horse population was nearly 15 million, according to an article in American Veterinary Review (which would become JAVMA in 1915).

Dr. Henry Stockton Lewis Sr. (Source: Boston Daily Advertiser. December 10, 1903)
Dr. Henry Stockton Lewis Sr. (Source: Boston Daily Advertiser. December 10, 1903)
One notable veterinary medicine first in this time included Dr. Henry Stockton Lewis Sr., who graduated in 1889 from the Harvard School of Veterinary Medicine, becoming the first American-born Black graduate of a veterinary college.

The 20th century

The early- to mid-20th century was an era of innovation in veterinary medicine, as well as additional firsts. In 1903, Mignon Nicholson became the first woman to graduate from a U.S. veterinary college, McKillip Veterinary College in Chicago. She was followed by Florence Kimball from Cornell University in 1910 and Elinor McGrath from the Chicago Veterinary College also in 1910, and who became the first female member of the AVMA.

Dr. Mignon Nicholson (Source: Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1902)
Dr. Mignon Nicholson (Source: Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1902)
In 1916, the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps was established. While veterinarians had served in the calvary during the Civil War, their role in the military was not formalized until shortly before World War I. For those who are interested in learning more about the role of veterinarians in the U.S. calvary, Dr. Erickson recommends the book, "Five Irishmen, Five Brothers, Five Veterinary Surgeons," by John E. Going, which chronicles his ancestors’ roles as veterinary surgeons in the calvary during the late 19th century.

In 1931, veterinarian Dr. Otto Stader developed a method to set fractures in dogs by using metal pins and an adjustable metal band.

"This method was adopted in human orthopedic medicine and surgery in 1937," Dr. Erickson noted.

Also during this time, Dr. Mark Morris Sr. led a group of seven veterinarians who founded the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and served as its first president in 1933. At the time, veterinary medicine was still largely devoted to agricultural animals and few veterinarians treated pets exclusively. These visionary doctors wanted an association "to focus on promoting high-quality standards for the rapidly evolving sector of small animal private practice through accreditation and other initiatives," according to AAHA.

During World War II, 2,000 Army Veterinary Corps members inspected more than 27 billion pounds of meat and dairy products from 1939-1946, according to JAVMA articles. The corps also was charged with overseeing sanitation conditions of producers; inspecting dogs for use as war dogs; providing veterinary care for birds of the signal corps; and training veterinary officers and enlisted personnel of the veterinary sections in veterinary administration, military food technology, animal sanitation, and disease control.

Photos taken of U.S. veterinary officers and technicians performing their duties in England show them inspecting food and training guard dogs, among other duties.
Photos taken of U.S. veterinary officers and technicians performing their duties in England show them inspecting food and training guard dogs, among other duties.
In 1949, the first veterinary specialty, the American College of Veterinary Pathology, was founded. Two years later, the AVMA established criteria for recognizing veterinary medicine specialties.

In the intervening years, veterinary medicine made major contributions to human and animal health in this country through developments in epidemiology and parasitology as well as the control and eradication of major diseases, including bovine pleuropneumonia, glanders, bovine tuberculosis, foot-and-mouth disease, New World screwworm, hog cholera, and many more documented in the historical literature.

By the end of the 20th century, veterinarians even made their mark beyond Earth. In 1993, veterinary pathologist Dr. Martin Fettman became the first veterinarian in space when he served a mission on the space shuttle Columbia, followed by Dr. Richard Linnehan, who also flew on a Columbia mission in 1996.

How to learn more

Veterinarians interested in digging further into veterinary medicine’s multifaceted history will find numerous resources from the American Veterinary Medical History Society (AMVHS).

a special 1976 bicentennial issue of JAVMA
The cover of the 1976 bicentennial issue of JAVMA
The organization's website has links to veterinary history books and historical veterinary journals. In addition, the website maintains a list of veterinary medical museums and historical sites, such as the Minnesota Veterinary History Museum in St. Paul; an 1890 Veterinary Surgeon's Office in Westminster, Maryland; and the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky.

The AVMHS website also has a link to a special 1976 bicentennial issue of JAVMA, with articles on the evolution of veterinary medical education, the growth of small animal practices, and more.

For this year's semiquincentennial observance, Dr. Erickson and others are preparing a set of 250 PowerPoint slides covering multiple aspects of the history of veterinary medicine in the United States. Chapters include early veterinary medical colleges, veterinary graduate firsts, infectious and zoonotic diseases, the horse in agriculture, industry and transportation, veterinary instruments, specialty boards, the history of the AVMA, and more.

The slides will be posted on the AVMHS website and available for veterinary groups and veterinarians to use for research or presentations.

Dr. Howard Erickson
Dr. Howard Erickson
It's important for veterinarians to be aware of their profession’s history, says Dr. Erickson.

'If you’re not aware of the history of veterinary medicine, you might repeat some of the mistakes of the past," he continued. "And if you’re evaluating a disease, it’s important to understand the history of it. … With 250 years coming up, it's important to highlight the progress we’ve made."



Julie A. Jacob is a freelance writer based in Racine, Wisconsin.