Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal

01/03/2025

Sometimes we get our horses in trouble with the very items we use to help them be more comfortable.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year from the . May this year bring everyone peace, happiness and new beginnings. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2025!
#2025

Photo credit: https://www.crosscards.com/cards/holidays/new-year/happy-new-year-to-ewe.html

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from the . In 1916 Horse Christmas was created by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded by George Ansell. Due to the long hours and poor work/living conditions working horses of the time endured, Horse Christmas was created. George Ansell and his volunteers in Boston would put up a Christmas tree in Post Office Square decorated with treats, such as carrots, corn, sugar cubes and apples, for the horses to enjoy as they passed. Give your horse a treat today in celebration of Horse Christmas.
PreventionofCrueltytoAnimals


Photo credit: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-humane-societies-threw-christmas-parties-for-horses-180979253/

12/24/2024

We asked the what are some achievements they accomplished the year.
Finn: “I’m proud of completing my first quarter of undergrad at UC Davis.”
Tessa: “Within the last year I finished my first year of veterinary school and continued into my second year. I was able to do my first cat spay with mentorship and have continued to learn and grow in a variety of ways within the veterinary profession.”
Tara: “I’ve been accepted to the Veterinary medicine program at Lincoln Memorial University in Virginia.”
Courtney: “I have started a new chapter in my life I am looking forward to.”

#2024

12/19/2024

Equine influenza (flu) season is upon us. Typically when the weather is cold and dry (from November to March) this allows the flu virus to spread. Equine influenza is transmitted from close contact (nose to nose) with an infected host via inhalation of aerosolized respiratory droplets from coughing horses, grooming tools, human hands and communal surfaces. In Utah we are considered at risk for the influenza virus and recommend vaccinating based on recommendations made by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). Symptoms can include a fever of 101.5F or higher, cough, crusty nasal discharge and occasionally lethargy/loss of appetite. Influenza is not typically fatal, however it can take a few months for the equine respiratory system to recover. If you are concerned your horse may be at risk, or has contracted equine influenza, feel free to call or text us at 801-662-8092.


Photo credit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.horseillustrated.com/horse-health-strangles-bacteria

12/17/2024

Time to buy your gift certificates - would you like to get a Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal gift certificate for a friend or colleague? We can make them for a specific treatment, like a dental or chiropractic, or for a dollar amount. They can be mailed, emailed or just added as a credit to the recipients account. You can email us at [email protected] or text us on 801 662 8092.

12/13/2024

December 13th is National Day of the Horse. Using to commemorate the contributions horses have made to our country, share your favorite book, documentary/movie or famous horse.


Photo credit: https://angiegensler.com/national-day-of-the-horse/

12/10/2024

Goats have amazing versatility as either companion animals or production animals. Here is a list of popular goat breeds; it is important to know which breed will suit your desired lifestyle and some of their attributes/suitability.
1. Dairy Breeds:
Saanen: high milk production and a calm temperament, best suited for cooler climates.
Alpine: Adaptable to various climates, medium milk production.
Nubian: high-fat milk ideal for cheese. Adapted to hot climates.
Toggenburg: milk producer with moderate fat content.
LaMancha: producing quality milk with moderate fat.
2. Meat Breeds:
Boer: A high meat yield, adaptable to various climates.
Kiko: Produces lean meat.
Spanish: Known for producing lean, flavorful meat.
3. Fiber Breeds:
Angora: Produces mohair, a valuable fiber.
Cashmere: Known for producing luxurious, fine cashmere wool.
Pygora: A crossbreed producing soft fleece.
4. Multi-purpose Breeds:
Pygmy: Small, friendly, suitable for milk and as pets, easy to care for, often used on small farms.
Nigerian Dwarf: High butterfat milk suitable for cheese, adaptable, and friendly, popular as pets.
Pack breeds:
LaMancha: friendly, curious, also produce milk
Nubian: large, friendly, also produce milk
Kiko: large build, friendly



Photo credit: https://www.breedslist.com/category/goats

http://www.sujampackgoats.com/about-sujam-packgoats

12/06/2024

Research has shown that horses can understand and interpret human emotions and facial expressions. Recent studies have revealed that horses not only pick up on human emotions based off facial expressions and temperament, but will remember the emotions expressed by an individual, and that memory will guide the horses future interactions with that person. Horses will adapt their behavior to an individual based on the emotional memory they have of that person. Horses have a complex social structure within their herd, and have a highly developed social intelligence. Their ability to read and interpret the emotions of others is based on how the horse interprets nonverbal expression in others, including breathing patterns, posture; body language, and energy levels. In a recent study, horses were shown either positive, negative, or neutral facial expressions. Horses spent more time studying the images of the angry expressions with their left eye, which sends a signal to the right brain hemisphere, where threats are processed. Horses studied the positive facial expressions with the right eye, sending the signal to the left hemisphere, which specializes in positive reactions. This is the first time this specific processing ability has been shown in any animal!

12/06/2024

Please join us next week on Wednesday, December 11th @ 11:00 AM PDT / 12:00 pm MDT / 1:00 pm CDT for the December 2024 UI-USU-SDSU Extension Sheep & Goat webinar where Dr. Denise Konetchy, DVM, Small Ruminant Medicine Specialist with the University of Idaho, will discuss how to identify and manage complications during lambing and kidding.

USU Extension - Sheep and Goat SDSU Extension Sheep & Goats

Register Here: https://uidaho.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fWiLWKvuS2-dx3AJnWotNw

12/03/2024

Running annual bloodwork for animals can be extremely beneficial in monitoring their overall health. Here is a breakdown of the most common blood tests that can be run during routine bloodwork. A Complete blood count (CBC) is a test that analyzes the appearance and number of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). This can help diagnose and monitor disease and infection. Chemistry bloodwork is a collection of tests that evaluate the function of several organs in the body. The equine metabolic panel is used to diagnose equine metabolic disease or PPID (Cushings). The Small Ruminant Biosecurity Screen can test for Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP), a small ruminant lentivirus, Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) and Johnes Disease (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) all of which are highly contagious diseases among ruminants. These tests are invaluable in monitoring health and diagnosing illness in animals.


Photo credit: https://images.app.goo.gl/a1Q5HJh5H9zHie6C7

11/29/2024

Super excited to say the 2025 Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal charity calendar has gone to print. 110 copies sold already, let me know if you want one as I ordered some extras. Thank you to everyone that submitted photos for our annual charity effort.

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from the . Thanksgiving is a day to spend with friends and family, sharing what we are grateful for. Although we cannot share a meal with all of our clients and patients, we are still so thankful for them. We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys some much needed and deserved time off.

11/26/2024

Joint injections are an effective treatment for lameness caused by osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease). This precise, sterile and minimally invasive procedure treats, and supports, the joint at the source for maximum efficacy. Using a tailored combination of specific drugs designed to manage osteoarthritis and other joint issues in large animals can provide comfort and prevent further damage to the affected joint. Using a combination of a joint lubricant (which mimics the naturally occuring synovial fluid within the joint) and an anti-inflammatory in each joint space provides maximum benefits. Efficacy and frequency of joint injections can vary based on the severity of damage to the joint and the workload of the animal.

11/19/2024

When the temperature drops below freezing ensure all animals have constant access to fresh clean water. A water heater can be purchased to prevent water troughs from freezing, otherwise ice may need to be broken and removed from water sources daily. It’s ideal to provide a 3 sided shelter to allow breaks from wind, rain and snow for all livestock with ideally a dry area to stand. Seniors, young animals, those with thin hair coats/fleece and animals who are sick may need to be blanketed at night to help combat the cold. Some livestock such as goat kids, lambs and crias may also need to be put in a barn at night and provided a heat lamp as they lose heat more quickly. This is particularly important if wind/snow/rain is present in addition to cold temperatures. If you are concerned, or have questions about whether your animals need blankets, heating lamps or to be brought into the barn at night feel free to call or text 801-662-8092.



Photo credit: https://www.powerblanket.com/blog/how-to-keep-a-water-trough-from-freezing/

11/18/2024

Please ensure you don't use banamine intramuscularly in horses as it can cause serious problems.

💉 The literal “shot heard round the world”. It sounds like a horse received Flunixin or Banamine intramuscularly on an episode of last night? We would like to remind everyone that despite being labeled for intra-muscular use, horses should only ever receive this drug orally or intra-venously. Something that the folks at Yellowstone would need to be on the lookout for after this misplaced administration would be signs of gas and swelling under the neck or a painful injection site. Administering IM banamine to a horse can cause clostridial myositis and can lead to a serious infection that requires surgical and antibiotic intervention. Despite intervention, these infections can be fatal.

11/18/2024

It is that time of year again. Time to get your order in for your Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal 2025 charity calendar. This year the cost will remain the same as last year - $18 - and all the money goes to local animal charities. Last year we raised over $2000 split between Utah Animal Advocacy Fund and Lazy B Equine Rescue. Please venmo or send a cheque for the money and calendars will be mailed/dropped off before Christmas. Thank you in advance.

11/15/2024

Good use for those pumpkins. Tag BI and Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal if you decide to make them.