UNHS Hooves & Hands Mobile Rural Health

06/08/2026

TL;DR screwworm has been found in southern Texas. The larvae of the new world screwworm eat living tissue (unlike other maggots), causing a VERY bad smell. If you think you have screwworm in your livestock (or your pets or yourself), please call because that would be a big deal. Read more at screwworm.gov.

As you may have already heard, New World screwworm was found in a calf in South Texas (Zavala County) late last week. These flies (yes, confusing, wet know) lay eggs into open wounds (surgery/castration/tail docking sites, newborn umbilical cords, etc.) and body openings (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, genitalia) that hatch into parasitic maggots that burrow into and feed on living tissue or flesh. This can happen in any warm-blooded animal including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, and, rarely, humans.

In Texas, the federal government is working on capturing flies and has released sterile female flies to hopefully distract and breed the males, breaking the cycle. We have eliminated this parasite from the country in the past and can do it again.

What you can do: if you are castrating or notice wounds, fly/maggot control is extremely important. We routinely recommend CATRON IV spray to avoid maggots in wounds at the time of castration and this spray is labelled to prevent screwworm 🙂 While an antibiotic (like penicillin) may help with an infection, it will NOT prevent screwworm. You need a fly preventative.

There are more preventative measures found in the link below that have been approved for use in different species. Please don’t hesitate to call your vet if you’re concerned you’ve found screwworm or have ANY questions.

UNHS Hooves and Hands’s hooved animal veterinarian Dr. Magdalena Niedermeyer can be reached at 435-320-0377.

More resources:
Utah Department of Agriculture Update Video (4min) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftnWuGqjpP8)
UT Reporting Form and other Info (https://ag.utah.gov/animal-industry/animal-health-program/new-world-screwworm/)
The USDA/APHIS Announcement (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states)
FDA Approved Prevention/Treatment for Screwworm (https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/safety-health/new-world-screwworm-information-veterinarians)

06/03/2026

Since it's Pride Month, we want to take a moment to affirm that LGBTQ+ patients, like all patients, should always be treated with dignity and respect when seeking and receiving healthcare (and in all aspects of life, really). UNHS Hooves & Hands Mobile Rural Health is committed to supporting equitable, patient-centered care for all patients and families.

Dr. Reale's training involved extensive work with people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. He has given multiple lectures about the unique healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ patients to other healthcare professionals and he is committed to delivering the highest quality healthcare to these and all patients.

If you or someone you know has questions, concerns, or just wants to talk, we are a safe space and we are here for you. If privacy is a concern, we routinely do home visits and are happy to meet you in a more comfortable location. You can call or text Dr. Reale directly at 435-320-0511.

05/27/2026

Whatever your hooved animal, there’s a pretty good chance they need a pedicure every once in a while!

We trim sheep, goats, pigs, and llamas for $10-20 if it's one animal and it gets cheaper per animal the more of them we do (or if we’re doing vaccines at the same time).

We do often need to sedate pigs (they are less interested in having their hooves trimmed) and usually recommend trimming male pigs’ tusks at the same time.

We do NOT trim horses' feet and instead recommend using a farrier. We can give you recommendations and phone numbers based on your location.

Please feel free to call us with any questions or to schedule an appointment: 435-320-0277. Have a great day!

05/21/2026

Did you know that more than 1 in 5 US adults and 1 in 7 US children experience mental illness every year? Mental illness is incredibly common so if you're suffering, you are not alone!

By far, anxiety disorders (19.1%) and major depressive disorder (15.5%) are the most common mental illnesses in US adults annually, and these rates are even higher in people self-identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native (almost 26% overall).

Mental health care IS healthcare but just over 50% of adults and children seek care for their mental health. Self-care, therapy, and medication have made recovery a reality for most people experiencing mental illness.

Having a mental illness can make it challenging to live everyday life and maintain recovery. Beyond the individual, these challenges ripple out through our families, our communities, and our world. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiac disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or obesity than the general population and globally, mental health disorders are the leading cause of years lived with disability.

Finally, it's okay to talk about su***de. Someone dies by su***de in America about every 11 minutes. Thoughts of su***de can be frightening but by reaching out for help or checking in with family and friends, we can avoid devastating outcomes.

Here are some things you can do to help yourself or a loved one struggling with mental illness:
- Connect with family, friends, and community resources
- Call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org
- If you want to learn how to help people in our community, there is a free online training on how to talk to people struggling with thoughts of su***de called "Being a Good Relative: A Training for Crisis Counselors Responding to Native Callers, Texters, and Chatters." I did this training and found it very helpful to start to understand what people are going through and how to listen and talk to them when they're having a tough time. Check it out at https://sprc.org/resources/being-a-good-relative-a-training-for-crisis-counselors-responding-to-native-callers-texters-and-chatters/
- Talk with a healthcare professional. We can help you find a medication that might be right for you or connect you with our excellent behavioral health department at UNHS.

05/14/2026

Hello everyone! We just wanted to let you know a horse in neighboring Montezuma County, CO had a case of Vesicular Stomatitis this month. This disease is very contagious and must be reported to the state veterinarian so please don’t hesitate to contact your local vet if you are at all concerned that your horses may be affected. Here are the key facts about this disease.

What are the signs? Ulcers (sores) on the mouth, lips, or tongue, or, less commonly, above the hoof or on the udder or prepuce of horses or livestock. Sometimes, you might see that your horse is having trouble chewing/eating because of discomfort from the sores.

How does it spread? Often by biting midges, sand flies, or black flies. It can also be transmitted by physical contact with other affected horses or using the same equipment on an unaffected horse after you've used it on an affected horse.

How is it treated? There is not a specific treatment, however, horses often recover with supportive care!

*** PEOPLE CAN GET THIS DISEASE. Wear gloves and other protective equipment; avoid handling infected animals if you are immunocompromised.***

Please don’t hesitate to contact your vet with any questions. We can be reached by phone at 435-320-0277. Happy Thursday!

05/01/2026

Vaccines for Your Horse’s Lifestyle

If you’re looking at the countless options for vaccinating your horses, consider these quick guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

1. All horses should be vaccinated for Tetanus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus
- This is often known as the “4-way Vaccine”
- EEE/WEE/WNV are spread by mosquitoes and can cause serious neurologic disease.
- Tetanus is a bacteria found in the ENVIRONMENT far can cause muscle spasms and death
- Vaccination is very effective!

2. All horses should be vaccinated for Rabies
- This disease is uncommon in our area but is guaranteed to kill any animal that gets it.
- Animals can also pass it to people through bites
- It can also be spread by wild skunks, raccoons, and bats
- This vaccine is especially recommend if kids or the public are exposed to your horse, such as on trail rides

3. If your horse encounters other horses (either through rodeo/racing or just wild horses) consider the Rhino/Flu vaccine.
- Rhinovirus can cause respiratory or neurologic disease
- Influenza can cause respiratory disease just like in people
- These can come in a single combined vaccine with the 4-way vaccine called the 5-way vaccine

4. There are many other vaccination options for unique needs including pregnancy, specific locations, or if Strangles (a post on its own) is common where your animal will be.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local vet with additional questions (Dr. Magdi Niedermeyer at UNHS can be reached at 435-320-0277 to discuss which vaccines are ideal for your horse)

UNHS Hooves and Hands Prices for Horse Vaccines:
- Rabies Vaccine: $12
- 4-way Vaccine (EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus): $50.99
- Rhino/Flu only Vaccine: $42.13
- 5-way Vaccine (EEE/WEE/West Nile/Tetanus/Rhino/Flu): $75.78

Adult Horse Vaccine Chart:
https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Adult_Horse_Vaccine_Chart_2023_SUB.pdf

Foal Vaccine Chart:
https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Foal_Vaccine_Chart_2023_SUB.pdf

04/23/2026

This month at UNHS, we're focusing on healthy kids and families!

The 5-2-1-0 Approach aims to help families lead healthy, active lives by setting the following goals for EVERY family member:
- 5 (or more!) fruits and vegetables a day
- 2 hours (or less!) of recreational screen time per day (or a healthy, balanced limit you've set in your family media plan)
- 1 hour (or more!) of physical activity a day
- 0 sugar-sweetened drinks

Hungry for more? Check out CHAT - an awesome Utah initiative helping parents strengthen communication, build trust, and create the kind of family relationships that lead to healthy futures for their kids.
We especially know that teens who feel supported during difficult times are more likely to succeed and that connection doesn't have to be perfect, you just have to try!
Learn more at https://dhhs.utah.gov/chat/

Want to CHAT with Dr. Reale about any of this information? Give him a call at 435-320-0511, he loves this stuff!

04/19/2026

Just a reminder that the most important part of a horses diet is the hay/forage, and often this plus a loose mineral is enough. Grain is usually extra :) If you have questions about when/how to feed grain, don't hesitate to give us a call at 435-320-0277.

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing.

Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.

Thank you to the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

04/17/2026

Come say hi to us today at the Montezuma Creek Clinic from 12-4 for the UNHS 25 Year Anniversary Celebration!