Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal

04/25/2025

This is a well written post that discussed the herd mentality that social media can bring and reminds us "we are all just one post away from being next". Be kind and compassionate, we can never know what anyone else is going through.

When a viral video sparked a wave of online outrage, the resulting digital mob targeted Dr. Shawn Frehner, a veterinarian who is now dead.

04/24/2025

One of our great clients rescued two mom cats with their kittens and has been raising them. Now they are ready to go to amazing homes and she has asked for our help to find those homes. Please contact Dr Tracy and she can forward your details. ❤️

04/22/2025

Gastric ulcers (erosion in the stomach lining) are a common, and treatable, issue found in an estimated 60% of horses. Certain breeds, including Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, are more prone to developing ulcers and underlying causes include stress, high-grain diets, cribbing, and metabolic disorders. Symptoms of gastric ulcers are varied and include poor appetite/weight loss, recurrent colic, lethargy, sensitivity when the girth/cinch is tightened, teeth grinding, and poor performance. Gastric ulcers can be definitively diagnosed by endoscopy and are categorized based on location (squamous vs. glandular), distribution, and appearance. Treatment typically involves using omeprazole (GastroGuard) for 14-28 days,sucralfate and sometimes antibiotics depending on the lesions to change the pH of the stomach acid and protect the stomach lining allowing it to heal. Recheck endoscopy is recommended post treatment to ensure healing has fully occured. The best prevention for gastric ulcers is to feed a high forage, low grain diet with frequent feeding to decrease the opportunity for the stomach to become empty and therefore, acidic. Other preventative measures include adding alfalfa, chaff, or oil to your horse’s diet, as they all can act as a buffer to stomach acid. If you are curious about ulcer prevention, or suspect your horse may be suffering from ulcers, contact us for guidance on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.



Photo credit https://thehorse.com/1133598/tackling-equine-gastric-ulcers/

04/15/2025

April is National Pet First Aid Month and April 17-23rd is National Pet ID Week. As we head into spring we are going to be out and about more with our animals so be safe and be prepared. We offer a first aid kit as well as microchipping for our clients’ animals. Our first aid kit is compact and easy to store at home, or during travel. It will have everything you need in the event of an emergency.
Microchipping is a simple procedure that can be done during an appointment. This allows for loose animals to easily be identified by animal control. If you have any questions, would like to order a first aid kit, or schedule an appointment to microchip your animals please call or text us at 801-662-8092.


Photo credit: https://equinewellnessmagazine.com/microchip-horse/

04/09/2025

In 1965 Britain’s Animal Welfare Council developed The Five Freedoms as internationally accepted standards of humane treatment and care for animals. The Five Freedoms ensure that the mental and physical needs of all domesticated animals are met. We, as humans, have a responsibility to uphold these standards for our animal companions. The Five Freedoms read as follows: Freedom from hunger/thirst; from discomfort; from pain/injury/disease; to express normal behavior and from fear/distress.
No matter the animals’ purpose, we should be striving to achieve these freedoms.




Photo credit: https://www.lesliehorsemanship.com/post/the-3-f-s-the-5-freedoms

04/01/2025

Recently the Internal Parasite Control Guidelines were revised by the AAEP. The takeaways are that horses, in Utah, should be dewormed once per year. Only select horses that are high shedders should be dewormed more frequently. FEC cannot be used to diagnose disease. Additionally, discontinue deworming with fixed intervals year round.
If you have any questions, or concerns, please reach out to your veterinarian.
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Photo credit: https://extension.usu.edu/equine/research/f***l-egg-count-tests-improve-deworming-programs

03/25/2025

Botulism is a rare, but potentially fatal, disease that affects equines, small ruminants and camelids. It is caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum and is most commonly transmitted by ingesting contaminated food/water or by infecting a wound. Botulism causes an extreme neuroparalytic response and can induce drooling, constipation, inability to stand or walk, difficulty swallowing/breathing and muscle paralysis. The best prevention for this disease is to vaccinate against botulism (for horses, goats, and sheep) or clostridial diseases (for llamas and alpacas) in high risk areas, to ensure feed is stored properly so it does not ferment and to properly clean/bandage wounds to mitigate infection. While botulism is not extremely prevalent across the US, it can occur and have serious implications for your animals. Current treatments rely on antitoxins and are not effective once the neurotoxin travels to the neurons, but new and exciting research has been exploring the potential of antibodies from llamas to treat the botulinum neurotoxin by binding to the toxin and inhibiting it, which has the potential to reverse symptoms. While this new research has potential to change the treatment of botulism, it is currently not yet available. If you suspect your animal may be suffering from botulism, please call us immediately.




Photo credit: https://www.mediastorehouse.com/galleries/clostridium-botulinum

03/18/2025

Pregnancy toxemia, or ketosis, is a disease that can affect small ruminants in the later stages of gestation. It can occur when the animal’s body does not have enough energy to support the growth of a fetus, which leads to a buildup of ketones in the blood. Ketosis can be diagnosed by looking for increased ketone bodies in the urine or the blood. Symptoms include weakness, loss of appetite or weight, neurological signs, and sweet or fruity smelling breath. Treatment involves increasing the ruminant’s blood sugar by providing glucose either intravenously or orally and providing calcium and potassium supplements. To prevent ketosis in pregnant sheep and goats, monitor body condition throughout gestation and slowly increase to a more energy-dense feed in the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy.



Photo credit: https://www.camli.com.tr/en/information-center/interest/post/toxemia-of-pregnancy-for-sheep-and-goat

03/16/2025

BIRD FLU: Keep cats safe! Cats are very susceptible to H5N1, also known as bird or avian flu, but at this time the overall risk for exposure and infection is believed to be low. The virus has ravaged poultry farms, leading to the mass killing of over 150 million birds. Now, it's been detected in dairy cows, cats—even humans.

Signs of H5N1 infection in cats:
⛔ Respiratory problems like coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, trouble breathing
⛔ Lethargy
⛔ Neurological disorders, such as disorientation or trouble walking
⛔ Sudden onset of severe disease or death without prior signs of illness or injury

Share this graphic to keep pets safe and read more at aspca.org/birdfluandcats 🧡

03/14/2025

Many of you know I also work as a small animal ER vet. So this is what I am up to when not seeing goats, sheep, horses and alpacas. However I also get to bring my amazing patients here when needed and light up the eyes of the stuff with cute lambs, kids and an occasional alpaca.

Say hello to our amazing overnight ER veterinarian, Dr. Tracy Wright! 🌟

Originally from England, Dr. Tracy’s journey to becoming a veterinarian started with a BSC (Hons) in Genetics and a PhD in Molecular Biology. After years of researching the genetic of human disease in New Mexico and Utah, she headed back across the pond to complete her Veterinary Degree in Edinburgh, Scotland. 🔬

In 2011, Dr. Tracy joined us at VCA Cottonwood Animal Hospital (where she had previously externed during vet school)! She loves the challenge of problem-solving in veterinary medicine, with a special interest in internal medicine and surgery. She enjoys working with all kinds of animals, from horses to alpacas, goats, sheep, and of course, cats and dogs. 🐶🐱🐴

When she’s not saving lives, Dr. Tracy is an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast, hiking, skiing, and camping with her partner, Marty. She’s also passionate about volunteering and hopes to return to some of her favorite places to offer veterinary care around the world. 🌍💙

Dr. Tracy’s compassion and dedication make her a joy to work with, and we're lucky to have her as a part of our team!

03/11/2025

Equine strangles is an upper respiratory tract infection caused by the highly contagious bacterium Streptococcus equi. The bacteria infects the lymph nodes around the jaw, causing them to become inflamed and restricting respiration, which gives the infection its name. Symptoms include a fever above 101°F, lethargy, difficulty swallowing, coughing, thick and discolored nasal discharge, and swelling of the glands under the jaw. Treatment of strangles is mostly isolation and supportive care, though antibiotics may be used as well. While vaccinating against S. equi is advisable for equines at high risk of exposure, other preventative measures include isolating new horses and testing horses to see if they are a carrier. If you suspect a case of strangles, isolate your horse/donkey and notify your veterinarian immediately to prevent the spread.



Photo credit: https://equimanagement.com/research-medical/disease/streptococcus-equi-subsp-equi-in-nasal-secretions/

03/07/2025

Soon it will be time to start thinking about spring preventative care for our animals. Each spring, every equine will receive an exam, AAEP recommended vaccines (Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, equine influenza virus, West Nile virus, tetanus and equine herpes virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4)), f***l and dental exam/dental. Ruminants and camelids will receive an annual exam, CD&T vaccine (Clostridium perfringens type C + D and tetanus) and a f***l. Deworming will only be done as needed, based on both f***l results and clinical signs. Call or text 801-662-8092 to schedule your spring work.












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Photo credit: https://www.nwvetstanwood.com/site/blog/2022/06/16/goat-vaccines

03/03/2025

March is pet poison awareness month. It’s important for pet owners to be aware about what their animals can and cannot eat, as well as what can be toxic to them in larger quantities. For example, in horses, selenium supplementation can have many beneficial effects, such as increasing detoxification, boosting their immune system, regulating thyroid hormone, and preventing diseases like white muscle disease and rhabdomyolysis, or “tying up”. However, in excess quantities, giving your horse too much selenium can cause alkali disease, which can be life-threatening. Other examples of potentially toxic foods include those you may not consider, like cherries and plums which are toxic to sheep and goats, or kale and potatoes which are toxic to llamas and alpacas. Signs of toxicity may include weakness, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and neurological issues like seizures. Specific symptoms vary depending on the toxicity. Make sure to check whether a certain food or mineral may be toxic to your animal before introducing it into its diet. If you suspect you have an animal suffering from toxicosis, call the Pet Poison hotline ( 855-764-7661) and your veterinarian for help.


Photo credit: https://www.horseillustrated.com/find-the-right-horse-feed/amp

02/25/2025

Winter can be a difficult time for those with animals who live outdoors. When temperatures drop, animal’s bodies work harder and use more glycogen - stored energy - in order to warm the body and maintain appropriate body temperature. In order to compensate for this increased need for energy, you may need to increase the amount you are feeding in the winter. For example, horses who live out on grass-filled pastures may only need grain once a day and 3 or 4 flakes of hay per day, while in the winter they may need grain twice a day and 6 to 8 flakes a day to maintain their body weight. Additionally, check with your hay and forage providers to ensure you’re feeding nutrient-dense, high quality feed. Wasatch Large Animal can send out samples of your feed for analysis at request. Other ways to help keep weight and condition on your livestock include providing 24/7 access to water to maintain hydration, providing shelters to protect from rain, snow, and wind, and providing additional dietary supplements that have higher caloric values.


Photo credit: https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/220566563-sheep-eating-hay-farm-winter-snow-looking-camera-close?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

02/23/2025

Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal will do a soft reopen on Monday 24th February. We will schedule appointments based on what Dr Tracy is able to do and gradually expand as she is cleared back to full work. To everyone that has reached out to schedule an appointment, we will begin to call/text as we can fulfill what you need. Please do not hesitate to reach out for appointments if you need something. Again, thank you for your support during this closure.

02/18/2025

Did you know?

Once Icelandic horses leave Iceland, they can never return. Iceland’s only native breed of horse is the Icelandic horse, and they maintain strict rules to preserve the purity and integrity of their national breed. Because Iceland is an island, the horse population is able to remain genetically isolated and free from disease. Generally, Icelandic horses in Iceland are not immunized, meaning they have no protection from many standard diseases that infect horses in other parts of the world. In order to protect their horses from illness, and to maintain the breed standard, Iceland prohibits the importation of all horses. Iceland’s native horse was originally brought to the island by Norse Vikings over 1,000 years ago. These horses are known for their adaptability to harsh winter climates, their friendly demeanors, and their two unique gates called the tölt and the skeið, which both allow for smooth and quick travel across large distances. Despite often being mistaken for ponies due to their size, this breed is considered a horse due to their strong bone structure, weight carrying-capacity, and cultural perception. While traditionally used for long-distance riding and herding sheep, today they are also seen exceeding in competition sports like racing, dressage, and eventing. Icelandic horses are becoming a prevalent breed in the US as well, and the United States Icelandic Horse Congress regulates breeding to maintain the breed standard that Iceland created.

02/17/2025

Happy Presidents’ Day. Did you know that George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt owned horses? Benjamin Harrison gave his grandchildren a goat named His Whiskers. His Whiskers would pull his grandkids around The White House lawn in a cart. Abraham Lincoln’s famous black coat was made of alpaca fiber.



Photo credit: https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/pets/old_whiskers/

02/15/2025

Happy Valentine’s Day from the . This holiday is about family, friends and loved ones. Show your four legged family some extra love with some homemade treats. Check out the links below for some recipes. We hope that everyone is able to be with their loved ones this Valentine’s Day.
Horses: https://mamaonthehomestead.com/homemade-horse-treats/
(Horses that suffer from metabolic diseases or laminitis should receive low or sugar free ingredients)
Goats: https://www.giftsfromgoats.com/home/2018/6/5/easy-baked-goat-treats
Sheep: https://www.dakoa.com/treats-sheep-goats-recipes/
Alpacas/Llamas: https://asimpleprairielife.com/2010/05/10/llama-treats/

#2025

Photo credit: https://www.901goats.com/events/valentine-goat-gram-deliveries