Thumb Veterinary Services

09/19/2025

Happy Birthday Dr. Lauren!
May every moment be filled with the same joy that you bring to others.

09/18/2025

West Nile Virus is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. While the disease typically affects horses, humans and birds, it can sometimes cause illness in other animals. The disease is not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact. Cases of WNV are typically seen in the late summer through early fall each year in Michigan. Placing livestock in a barn under fans during peak mosquito activity (from dusk to dawn), eliminating standing water on one’s property, using an insect repellant on animals that is approved for the species and contacting a veterinarian to vaccinate horses against WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases are all vital measures to take in order to keep animals healthy. Contact a veterinarian if a horse shows signs of illness including mild fever and stumbling, which can progress to being down and struggling to stand.

09/17/2025

Long body, big heart!

09/16/2025

As we approach the start of fall and the temperatures start to drop, here is some important information to know regarding fall laminitis.
Fall laminitis refers to cases of laminitis or founder that occur in the autumnal months. Although laminitis can happen in any season, anecdotally there seems to be an uptick in the number of cases in the fall.
Why could this be?
• As the days get shorter and colder, grasses have been shown to respond to this stress with higher sugar concentrations. Diets with higher simple sugar concentrations may increase the risk of laminitis.
• Decreases in exercise may cause increases in body condition. Fat or obese horses are at risk of developing laminitis.
• Horses naturally have increased levels of certain hormones in the fall. If you have a horse with PPID (previously referred to as equine Cushing’s), the increase in their cortisol levels could put them at risk for laminitis.
If you have questions concerning fall laminitis or are concerned that your equine companion may be at an increased risk, contact your equine veterinarian so that they can properly evaluate your unique situation.
Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

09/12/2025

Here is a funny Friday for our equine folks.

09/11/2025

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/places-to-look-for-ticks-on-dog/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQRuVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZN3F3VGlReFdobFpuN3E4AR5ybYWDfPWzg6--IRQ_hT_MrLgoLHULq0EN4WYH6PU13OJjpPISWm8jf_b7xw_aem_eErpWUtdwJ4ni04qlVhLcg

Wondering where to look for ticks on dogs? Ticks can be tricky to find on your dog, so here are seven places you should be sure to check.

09/10/2025

Live in the meow!

09/09/2025

Should you be concerned if your donkey stops eating?
While any animal not eating is a worry, donkeys can face serious health risks if they go off their feed for too long. Here's why: donkeys efficiently convert food to energy, making them prone to obesity and increased fat stores. If they stop eating for a while, their bodies break down stored fat quickly which creates high levels of triglycerides in the blood. When triglyceride concentrations within the blood get too high, they are deposited into the liver causing damage and in severe cases, even life-threatening liver failure. This condition is called hyperlipemia.
How you can help: Hyperlipemia can result secondary to primary illness (ex. colic), stressful situations, or an increase in the body's nutritional requirements. Maintaining donkeys at a healthy weight, performing appropriate metabolic testing and care, and ensuring immediate veterinary care when they stop eating can help prevent this condition from starting.
Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

09/05/2025

Funny Friday!

09/04/2025

Did you know?
A female flea can start laying eggs within 24 hours of feeding and mating, and has the ability to produce 40-50 eggs per day. That’s hundreds of eggs in a few days!

09/03/2025

“Wait….what did my vet just say?”

09/02/2025

Summer and fall are the peak time for arbovirus infection as these diseases (which include Eastern Equine Encephalitis [EEE], West Nile Virus [WNV], Western Equine Encephalitis [WEE] and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis [VEE]) are transmitted by several different species of mosquitoes and biting insects.
Let this graphic serve as a source of more information about West Nile Virus (WNV) as well as a reminder to keep your equines up to date on vaccinations with the guidance of your veterinarian to best protect your animals from infection.
Learn more about West Nile Virus and find downloadable resources on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/west-nile-virus