Brenham Veterinary Hospital

11/17/2025

A few spots left for this Wednesday Barn Cat Spay/ Neuter Discount Day. Call now!

11/17/2025

We still have a few appointments left for Senior Discount Day tomorrow!
979-836-2472

11/13/2025

Scratches, also known as pastern dermatitis, is a common skin condition that affects the lower legs of horses, especially around the back of the pastern and fetlock. It often looks like scabby, crusty, or raw patches and can make the area sore or swollen.

What Causes Scratches?
• Wet, muddy, or dirty conditions
• Irritation from sand, bedding, or rough surfaces
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Sometimes, tiny mites or allergies

What to Look For:
• Redness, swelling, or heat in the lower leg
• Scabs, crusts, or hair loss
• Horse may be sensitive or sore in the area

How to Help Prevent Scratches:
• Keep your horse’s legs clean and dry
• Avoid letting your horse stand in wet or muddy areas for long periods
• Avoid sharing wraps or boots between horses, especially without cleaning/disinfecting between uses
• Check legs regularly for early signs

How to Treat Scratches:
• Clean the Area: Gently wash the affected area with a mild antiseptic shampoo or solution to remove dirt and scabs. Be gentle—don’t scrub hard or pick at scabs.

• Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure the area is completely dry. Moisture can make the problem worse.

• Apply Topical Creams: You can use creams or ointments recommended by your veterinarian, such as those containing silver sulfadiazine or other antibacterial/antifungal agents.

• Keep the Area Protected: If possible, keep your horse out of wet or muddy conditions while healing.

• Monitor for Infection: If you notice increased swelling, pain, or pus, or if the condition doesn’t improve, contact your veterinarian.

Remember, severe or persistent cases should always be checked by your veterinarian to make sure your horse gets the right treatment. If you have questions or concerns about your own equine, contact your veterinarian.

11/13/2025

🚨 BREAKING 🚨: USDA just announced they will be opening a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico. The move expands the agency's fight against New World Screwworm. Officials say the site allows faster aerial releases of sterile flies across northern Mexico, boosting control efforts if cases move closer to the U.S.

11/13/2025

Kittens for Adoption!

Dr. Hecht found these guys in her backyard as tiny babies and now they’re ready for their own families! They are negative for FeLV/FIV, checked for parasites and been vaccinated.

The brown tabby is a girl. She’s sweet and easy-going. The orange and white is a boy, and lives up to typical orange standards. He’s a spaz 75% of the time and the remaining 25% he just wants to cuddle.

She will be only adopting out to indoor homes. Please call the clinic for more details or if you’re interested in adopting!

11/13/2025

11/13/2025

A Tufts University study has found that the sheep and goat dewormer fenbendazole failed in 87% of cases—signaling rising parasite resistance and the need for improved management 👉 https://loom.ly/fEQSCG0.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Today and every day, we honor the bravery, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment of those who have served—and continue to serve—our great nation. Thank you for your dedication and courage.

11/07/2025

Pigeon Fever, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is a fly-borne disease that’s becoming increasingly common across the U.S. Once mostly seen on the West Coast, it’s now emerging in southern and eastern states.

🔍 How It Spreads:
Flies play a major role in transmission, carrying the bacteria (which originally lives in the soil) from draining abscesses or contaminated soil to other horses. Infection can occur through:

• Flies landing on open wounds or scrapes
• Contact with contaminated dirt or pus
• Direct contact with an infected horse

⚠️ Signs to Watch For:
Pigeon Fever can show up in several ways:

1️⃣ External Abscesses (most common)
• Swelling, often on the chest or belly (“pigeon breast” look)
• Abscesses that rupture or drain thick pus

2️⃣ Internal Abscesses on Organs (less common but serious)
• Signs include anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, colic, pneumonia, fever, respiratory tract disease
• Require prolonged therapy and close monitoring with an overall worse prognosis

3️⃣ Lymphangitis/Vasculitis
• Swelling of the limbs (one or more can be affected)
• Inability/difficulty moving limbs
• Fever
• This form can mimic clinical signs of other conditions like cellulitis, purpura hemorrhagica, Strangles associated vasculitis, and lymphangitis

🩺 Diagnosis:
Your veterinarian can confirm the infection through:
• Bacterial culture
• SHI titer (blood test)
• PCR testing (purulent exudate, biopsy of affected tissue, internal abscess exudate)

💊 Treatment:
• Hydrotherapy
• Anti-inflammatories
• Abscess lavage and lancing
• Antimicrobials AT DIRECTION of your veterinarian

🛡️ Prevention Tips:
• Keep fly populations under control
• Isolate horses with draining abscesses
• Dispose of pus and bedding safely to reduce contamination

If you suspect your horse has Pigeon Fever, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Additional recourses:

AAEP Guidelines: https://aaep.org/resource/pigeon-fever-corynebacterium-pseudotuberculosis/

EDCC: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/pigeon-fever

11/07/2025

❤️

Someone got a new headshot and we love it! Welcome to the crew, Maki :-)

Photo Credit: Scott Hill

11/05/2025

🐾Brenham Veterinary Hospital is happy to introduce a Community Microchip Scanning Station. 🐾

To better serve local pet owners and promote animal safety, Brenham Veterinary Hospital has installed a Community Microchip Scanning Station available to the public.

This station allows anyone who finds a lost pet to easily check for a microchip, helping to reunite animals with their families as quickly as possible.

The service is free of charge and available 24/7 in front of our hospital‼️

Together, we can make Brenham a safer place for every pet and get pet home back with owners. 🐶🐱🐾

Please share so we can get the word out in our community.

11/04/2025

New month means we have new a pet of the month. This month goes out to this beautiful girl Lucky Ducky! 🐾❤ owned by amazing and sweet Lonna Schumacher