What is a Go Bag? It is a supply kit for each individual for at least 72 hours of food, water, medication, and clothing. Each kit will be tailored to the needs of the situation, including medical conditions, weather conditions, and expected length of the emergency. Every member of the family needs a kit, including […]
Continue ReadingTornado Season is Upon Us
Lengthening days and warmer weather bring spring storms. With tornado season upon us, now is the time to go through your Go Bag, update medications, swap out for warm weather clothing, and update documents. In our previous posts, we laid the groundwork for building your own Go Bag and first aid kit. Hopefully, you have […]
Continue ReadingEquine Hoof Care, Part 2
What happens when equine feet are neglected, or environmental conditions are less than ideal? The hoof is under constant assault from arid conditions, wet conditions, bacteria, fungi, and physical trauma. We will continue to address common hoof diseases here. In the previous post, we introduced the basics of hoof anatomy and care. The first ailment […]
Continue ReadingEquine Hoof Care, Part 1
Benjamin Franklin once said: “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, For the want of a shoe the horse was lost, For the want of a horse the rider was lost, For the want of a rider the battle was lost, For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost, And […]
Continue ReadingA Tiny Miracle Can Prevent a Big Disaster
Few people have been affected first hand by disaster like the residents of California right now. Devastation of that magnitude is thankfully rare in the US. Because of the extremely rapid movement of the fires, not everyone was able to evacuate with their animals to safety. Many pets, both large and small, have been rescued […]
Continue ReadingLeptospirosis: A Continued Threat
Sea lions in California are once again battling a debilitating and fatal disease. This disease affects multiple species, including humans. It may sound like the next zombie apocalypse heading our way, but in truth, it’s a very old disease. Leptospirosis was first described in 1883. Since that time, the bacteria have been found across the […]
Continue ReadingWest Nile Virus: From Introduction to Endemnicity
The weather around the globe continues its unpredictable pattern. Many areas of the US are experiencing unusual flooding for this time of year. With flood waters, come hordes of tiny vectors, harboring many infectious diseases. Among these, a few are zoonotic. In 1999, a veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo in New York City noticed an […]
Continue ReadingContagious Equine Metritis
It’s springtime again, and you should already have your mare booked to a stallion. If you have a Quarter Horse, you have the advantage of being able to utilize artificial insemination. If you choose live cover, there are a few infectious diseases you should be concerned about. One foreign animal disease (FAD) to remember is […]
Continue ReadingHurricane Preparation
This has been an unprecedented year for hurricanes. A total of three Category 4 storms made landfall in the US. Hurricanes are rated using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Category 4 hurricanes have sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph. While the scale can give you an idea of just how strong the storm is, […]
Continue ReadingRabies
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Rabies Length: 5:20 minutesWritten and read by the author
Continue Reading