Clinton Veterinary Service, P.C.

01/24/2025

Not all our work involves animals. Veterinarians are also involved in record keeping on farms, analyzing data, researching problems and new products and keeping up with our continuing education requirements.

01/21/2025

Did you know that dairy operations that milk goats have been the fastest growing animal operation in the US between 2007-2017? This website put together by Iowa State University and University of UC Davis provides education for owners and veterinarians about production of goat milk.

We Are Committed to Improving Milk Quality & Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dairy Goats This website was created to educate producers and veterinarians about the science behind producing high-quality goat milk. From our video modules to templates for health and reproductive records, our goal is to pro...

01/21/2025

❄️ With the feel like projected to be in the negative double digits, consider these tips to help your horses cope over the next couple of days. ❄️

01/18/2025

Sunshine makes working outside in the winter 100% better!

01/12/2025

01/05/2025

https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-animal-science-career-quest-2025

Join Michigan 4-H, the MSU Department of Animal Scien...

01/01/2025

We have had several calls for colicy horses this week as the weather has changed. Make sure your horses are drinking enough water.

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

12/31/2024

The last day of 2024! Our clinic will be open 8-12 today and closed tomorrow.

12/28/2024

12/27/2024

DIARRHEA IS A MESSY TOPIC!

by Susan Schoenian
Sheep & Goat Specialist Emeritus
University of Maryland Extension

Diarrhea is a messy topic, but a necessary one for livestock producers. Diarrhea (scours as it is called in livestock) can happen anytime the bacteria in the ruminant’s digestive system get “out of whack.” While diarrhea can be a common occurrence in sheep/goats, it is usually more of a symptom than a disease.

There are many causes of diarrhea in small ruminants, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, diet, and other causes. In many situations, diarrhea is transitional and will go away on its own, especially in adult animals. However, it can also be indicative of serious illness, and if left untreated, could cause dehydration, organ damage, and even death.

If wooled sheep get scours, they are at greater risk for fly strike (maggots). This is one of the primary reasons why wooled lambs are docked. Animals that have “dags” or f***l matter stuck to their hindquarters have less market value.

Treatment of diarrhea depends upon the underlying cause(s). While antibiotics are used to treat bacterial causes (such as e. coli), with other causes, they are not usually warranted and could be harmful, as they kill beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Deworming often isn’t the answer either, as the barber pole worm (most common worm parasite) doesn’t cause scours, and dewormers aren’t effective against coccidia, which is the more likely cause of parasitic diarrhea.

In many cases treatment (for diarrhea) is mostly supportive: hydration (electrolytes) and probiotics. Many studies have shown the benefit of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of scours in livestock. For animals that scour because of “wet” pasture, getting some dry matter (such as hay) into them can help.

While preventing scours is not always 100% possible, most causes of diarrhea can be prevented with good hygiene and management. Indoor pens should be deep bedded. The bedding on top should always be clean and dry. Ideally lambing/kidding pens are cleaned between litters. Overstocking almost always leads to health issues.

Feed and water receptacles need to be kept clean and free from f***l matter. Grazing should be managed in a way that eliminates potential “hot spots.” All dietary changes should be gradual, to allow time for the rumen bacteria to adjust. Adequate colostrum intake helps lambs/kids fight off the disease organisms that cause scours.

It is recommended that a coccidiostat be put in the feed, mineral, milk replacer, and/or water to aid in the prevention of coccidiosis, the most common cause of diarrhea in lambs/kids (1-6 months). Bovatec® (Lasalocid) is FDA-approved for lambs while Rumensin® (Monensin) is approved for goats. Deccox (decoquinate) is a non-antibiotic feed additive that is approved for both species.

The success of coccidiostats depends on timing and the animals consuming enough of the drugs; they need to fed 3 to 4 weeks ahead of the risk. For coccidiosis, the period of highest risk will vary by farm, but is often around the time of weaning. Clostridial vaccinations (CDT or Covexin-8) are recommended for all flocks/herds.

It is important to consult with a small ruminant veterinarian when you are unsure of the cause of diarrhea in your animals. Your vet can make treatment recommendations. Serious outbreaks of scours may require veterinary diagnostics, including necropsies.

Originally published in the Delmarva Farmer, March 2024

12/25/2024

All of us at Clinton Veterinary Service wish “ewe” a Merry Christmas!

12/22/2024

Our clinic will be open on Christmas Eve 8 am-noon and closed on Christmas Day.
If you have an emergency please call the clinic at 989-224-1410 to reach the doctor on call.

12/07/2024

Our clinic is excited to announce the addition of three new veterinarians to our practice this fall!
Dr. Madeleine (pictured with the reindeer) graduated from Colorado State University. She is originally from Alaska and she enjoys baking.
Dr. Caylla (pictured with her daughter)graduated from Michigan State University Veterinary School and is originally from Tacoma, Washington. Her favorite hobbies are spending time with her family,reading, and cooking.
Dr. Christian graduated from Ross
veterinary School and went to Purdue for undergrad and his clinical rotations. He is originally from East Dundee, Illinois and his hobbies include fishing, hunting, and habitat work/management.

We are so excited to have them as part of our team to help us serve our growing practice!

12/06/2024

Even when it’s cold and windy, making sure your horse spends at least some time outside and moves around is essential to keeping them healthy. Locomotion keeps the intestinal track moving and can even help prevent colic.

12/02/2024

We have already seen some of the newest “kids” being born this winter- but for those of you who are still patiently waiting the arrival of your baby goats keep this in mind. Don’t wait to call!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Our office is closed today, but we will be open tomorrow. As always, if you have an emergency we have a doctor on call.

11/05/2024

“Prevention is a lot more efficient and cost-effective than treatment and potential loss of use of the horse when you’re dealing with laminitis as an outcome from unchecked EMS.”

Dr. Erin Byrne
Boarded Internist at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center

Read more:

Equine veterinarians are seeing an increase in metabolic health issues in horses. Learn how most can be treated through nutrition, exercise and veterinary care.