Rafter H Veterinary Services, LLC

29/11/2025

Stop external parasites such as lice from sucking the life out of your herd. Inspect replacement animals, isolate any infested cattle, monitor your herd regularly and cull chronic carriers to prevent problems.

Chemical control can be a helpful, however it must be used carefully or it can lead to ineffective control or parasite resistance.

🩺 Discuss pesticide selection and usage with your veterinarian.
🔎 Identify the pest that is causing damage.
🔄 Alternate using products with different modes of action.
📝 Maintain production records to establish product history.

Learn more tips for managing parasites in your herd:
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/prevent-external-parasites-from-sucking-the-life-out-of-your-herd/

27/11/2025

We will be closed on Thursday, November 25th.
From all of us at Rafter H, we wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 🐾🦃🍁

25/11/2025

Human food can make pets very sick. Tap for a list of foods that are especially hazardous to your four-legged friends, and remember to keep all human food out of reach this holiday season!

23/11/2025

📣 Horse owners - this FREE webinar about EHV is capped at 1,000 attendees however all who register will be emailed the link to an on demand recording of the session! Get accurate information and learn more to help our equine community by registering at the link shared!

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.

21/11/2025

ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT:
The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health has been closely following the confirmed cases of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) positive horses in Texas and Oklahoma following the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals in Waco, Texas, and the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship in Guthrie, Oklahoma.

KDA has been in communication with all known Kansas horse owners who attended either event in Waco and Guthrie to advise them to isolate those horses for 14 days and to provide them with guidance about how to monitor the health of those horses. The incubation period can last up to two weeks, meaning a horse can appear normal while still shedding the virus and act as a carrier. At this time there are no reported cases in Kansas.

If horse owners intend to travel out of Kansas with their horses, they should contact the state veterinarian office for the state they are traveling to in order to get the current entry requirements.

EHM is a neurologic disease that can spread through horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or inhalation of airborne droplets. Horses can be exposed through contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, and transport vehicles. Humans can spread the virus from horse to horse through contaminated hands, clothing, and equipment.

Horse owners should watch for:
• Fever over 101.5
• Nasal discharge
• Lethargy
• Hind end weakness
• Any neurological issues
If you notice any of the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Cases that show neurological issues are considered a medical emergency.

Additionally, the Equine Disease Communication Center has created a page to provide outbreak information. This page will be updated regularly and will provide links to more information. You can find it here: https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts?alertID=4722

For questions about quarantine or EHM exposure, call KDA Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601.

20/11/2025

As we continue to monitor the current outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus infection (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, EHM), let's take this opportunity to discuss once more the importance of biosecurity measures to stop disease spread. We recommend the following biosecurity precautions for horse owners, particularly if their horses have recently traveled to horse shows or were exposed to horses that have traveled:

1) Monitor horses for clinical signs (including fever, discharge from the nostrils, toe-dragging or a lack of balance) and take the temperature twice daily. Temperature greater than 101.5 F is considered a fever.
2) Immediately isolate any horse(s) showing clinical signs. Equine herpesvirus is an aerosolized virus and is spread through shared airspace, direct contact, and contaminated caretakers or equipment. A good isolation area is a separate barn or shelter that does not share airspace with healthy horses.
3) Implement movement restrictions until the situation is evaluated.
4) Contact your veterinarian to evaluate your horse and to propose a comprehensive biosecurity protocol.
5) Increase biosecurity measures that include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses: wash or sanitize your hands between interacting with horses; take time while filling water buckets and feed tubs, do not cross contaminate; minimize the use of shared equipment and tack.
6) Make sure your horse is up to date on vaccinations.
7) Establish communication with all parties involved (owners, boarders, trainers, etc.).

More resources and information regarding biosecurity are available on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at https://equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity

To learn more Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), visit: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus

For outbreak updates, check the post here: https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak

20/11/2025

***UPDATE***

As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, there are multiple confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myleoencephalopathy, the neurologic form of EHV-1 and exposure risks in horses that attended the WPRA Finals in Waco, Texas between Nov. 5 and Nov. 9. We have confirmed two cases of EHM in horses that attended the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship at Lazy E Arena this week.

The BAF World Championship has been cancelled and horses who were at either event should be taken home, isolated, and quarantined for the next 14 days.

EHM spreads through horse contact, shared buckets and/or tack, contaminated trailers, airborne droplets from horses coughing or snorting and from people who handle exposed horses. Exposed horses that were at either of the events should be isolated at least 30 feet, but as far as possible, from other horses. Efforts to prevent air movement from exposed horses to unexposed horses should be made. Exposed horses are not allowed to move off the home premises until they have completed 14 days with no symptoms. Unexposed horses may travel to events, although it is recommended, they do not leave the premises unless truly necessary.

Owners should watch for:
Fever over 101.5
Nasal Discharge
Lethargy
Hind end weakness
Any neurological issues

If you notice any of the symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Cases that show neurological issues are considered a medical emergency.

*******************************************
ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT

The Oklahoma State Veterinarian has been made aware of a possible Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy exposure at the WPRA event in Waco, Texas Nov. 5 through Nov. 9.

We are working closely with Lazy E Arena, as some of the horses from the WPRA event could be in Guthrie this week for the Barrel Futurities of America World Championship.

If you are from Oklahoma and were at the WPRA event – it is recommended you go home and quarantine your horse. If EHM is confirmed, horses who were in the Waco event will be required to quarantine at home.

Owners should monitor the temperature of their horse for spikes of 101.5 or above and increase biosecurity measures.

For questions about quarantine or EHM exposure, call the Oklahoma State Veterinarian's office at 405.522.6141.

Updates will be provided as they become available.

10/11/2025

Has your furry friend had their annual wellness visit yet this year? ☺️

10/11/2025

As a reminder, the time is approaching for show swine to be getting ready for the winter and spring show season. Swine must be tested negative for Brucellosis and Pseudorabies on or after November 10 to be eligible to show through OYE without additional testing.

At the time of testing, pigs must be identified with an electronic official ID tag, commonly known as 840 tags. Pigs must also be identified by age, s*x, breed, ear notch and the Premises ID number of the location the pig is housed.

03/11/2025

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, although early cancer detection in your pet is important every day.

One in every four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime, and this increases to 50 percent in dogs over 10 years of age, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. For cats, the risk of cancer varies between 25 to 35 percent.

“Awareness” is important, and even more important is early detection and finding the best treatment option for you and your pet.

31/10/2025

Happy Howl-o-ween from your favorite Rafter H Veterinary Services Crew! 👻🐕🐈
Don’t forget — chocolate and xylitol are scary for pets! 🍫🚫
Treat your pets to belly rubs, not candy! 💜

30/10/2025

Don't let Halloween spook your furry friends! Check out five tips to keep your pets safe during the holiday. 🐈‍⬛