UC Davis Large Animal Hospital

06/18/2026

If you've ever had an animal imaged at UC Davis, Jason Peters most likely had a hand in the process. The supervisor of the Diagnostic Imaging Service has spent more than 30 years as a specialized technician in veterinary imaging. Find out what a week in Jason's life is like at UC Davis: https://magazine.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news-article-spring-2026/imaging-creatures-great-and-small

Image description: Man in green scrubs smiles and stands in front of team of veterinary professionals who are positioning a horse into an MRI machine.

06/17/2026

The 36th Charles Heumphreus Memorial Equine Podiatry Symposium will be held at UC Davis on October 25, 2026. The program will offer a comprehensive exploration of equine podiatry, featuring expert presentations and hands-on labs designed to enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Attendees will benefit from insights into advanced diagnostic imaging, shoeing techniques for performance and longevity, and innovative approaches to hoof wall reconstruction. The symposium fosters collaboration between farriers and veterinarians, emphasizing a team approach to equine foot care. Registration is FREE: https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/symposia-article/36th-charles-heumphreus-memorial-equine-podiatry-symposium

Photo description: horse hoof being treated by a farrier using a file

06/15/2026

Dr. Emily Berryhill recently appeared on the EquiManagement Daily Vet Life podcast. Her episode, "A Donkey With Severe Respiratory Disease," describes a young jack that was hospitalized for 16 days with severe respiratory disease and shares key considerations when caring for donkeys.

In this episode, Dr. Emily Berryhill describes a young donkey that was hospitalized for 16 days with severe respiratory disease.

06/12/2026

It's hot out there. Keep your horses protected.

With temperatures projected to soon reach triple digits for the first time this year, here are some important tips to prevent heat-related problems in horses:

1. Know the signs of fatigue and overheating.
2. Keep your horse hydrated.
3. Keep a supply of water available for your horse to drink.
4. Provide salt and electrolytes as needed.
5. Limit exertion during peak heat.
6. Optimize ventilation in the trailer.
7. Plan ahead for trailering.
8. Provide shade.
9. Ensure good air circulation in barns.
10. To lower body temperature, hose off your horse or pour a bucket of water over your horse.

Mythbusters:
* It is a myth that if a hot horse drinks water, it will experience colic or other medical problems.
*Research has shown that sweat scraping, or removing water from the horse’s coat, is not necessary. Failing to remove excess water will not make your horse any hotter or have detrimental effects on health.

Image description: Close up of bay horse with green and black halter getting a bath with blue sky and green trees in the background.

06/10/2026

Welcome Dr. Georgia Macy as our newest veterinarian in the Equine Field Service. She earned her veterinary degree from UC Davis, completed a one-year internship at Loomis Basin Equine Center, and completed a three-year residency at the University of Georgia. Most recently, she was an Associate Veterinarian at Napa Valley Equine.

Equine Field Service provides on-site care for horses at their stable, ranch, or farm. Faculty and resident veterinarians in the Equine Field Service, accompanied by 4th-year DVM students, provide scheduled and emergency care through a 24-hour mobile veterinary practice within a defined local area that stretches from Vacaville to West Sacramento to Capay. To see if your location is in our service area, please call Field Service at 530-752-9618.

Photo descriptions:
Photo 1: Veterinarian holds the lead of brown horse inside a barn.
Photo 2: Veterinarian holds horse's head while supervising three students and interns performing an oral examination on horse.
Photo 3: Veterinarian examines horse while students and interns observe.
Photo 4: Veterinarian discusses a case with a large group of students and interns in barn.

06/08/2026

UC Davis surgeons Heidi Reesink (horses) and Denis Marcellin-Little (dogs) are featured in this special issue of JAVMA focused on diagnostic and therapeutic methods in equine and canine rehabilitation. You can also listen to them discuss this topic on the JAVMA podcast "Veterinary Vertex": https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047448/episodes/19281811

Have you seen the June JAVMA supplemental issue cover art? 🎨 🐎 🐕

“Water Treadmill Rehabilitation” (16 in x 11 in; Cinema 4D and Adobe Photoshop) was created by Grace Herzberg in 2026.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Grace Herzberg received her Bachelor of Arts in Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration at Iowa State University and her Master of Arts in Medical and Biological Illustration at Johns Hopkins University. She is currently a medical illustrator at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, where she creates interactive media, figure illustrations for research, and e-learning content for students. On the cover of this issue, she included a horse and a dog receiving rehabilitative treatment with water treadmills to reflect the contents within this supplement and highlight the tools and technology available today.

JAVMA supplemental issue: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/264/S1/javma.264.issue-S1.xml

06/06/2026

Come visit us at Western States Horse Expo this weekend

We're back at it for Day 2 of the Western States Horse Expo and we've got some more great speakers lined up today:

Horse Expo University
9:40 am - Dr. Rana Bozorgmanesh
Old Horses, New Tricks: Keeping Your Senior Horse Thriving
12:20 pm - Dr. Emily Berryhill
Essentials of donkey care: seeing donkeys through a veterinary lens

Trail Symposium
2:20 pm - Dr. Lais Costa
On the Trail: Expect the Unexpected

Don't forget to stop by and say hi at our booth in the Mane Market Mall!

P.S. Tickets are only $18!

06/05/2026

New World screwworm flies feed on animal tissues, causing extensive destruction.

06/03/2026

With the opening of the All Species Imaging Center last year, the UC Davis veterinary hospital is quickly establishing itself as the nation’s premier diagnostic and treatment center for equine neurological conditions. The center’s new large bore standing CT scanner, along with an MRI large enough to accommodate a horse, allow large animal clinicians and imaging specialists to capture images of additional body parts and/or capture them in a safer and quicker manner. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/new-insight-equine-neurology-cases

05/15/2026

Please welcome Dr. Allan Gunn as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction Service. Originally from what is now Zimbabwe, Dr. Gunn earned his veterinary degree from University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His professional achievements include:
--Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists
--Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists
--Registered Specialist in Veterinary Reproduction of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
--Registered Specialist in Veterinary Reproduction of the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council
--Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Just prior to coming to UC Davis, Dr. Gunn was an Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University in Australia.

Photo description: Man wearing glasses and blue shirt stands in pasture with two cows immediately in front of him. Two additional cows feed at a trough behind him.