Central Shore Veterinary Services

06/17/2026

New World Screwworm (NWS) Information.

In response to the re-emerging threat posed by NWS we want to provide the following information:

Maryland and Delaware to date are unaffected. However we want our clientele to take this threat seriously. We are not as far from infestation as it may feel.

Interstate movement of animals to Maryland from states with cases is presently affected. Animals from Texas or New Mexico currently require additional inspection requirements. We anticipate other states will be included in the future.

NWS is not an ordinary fly producing an ordinary maggot. Typical fly control measures are encouraged and should be used to reduce risks however, products like Fly Predator will not effect the life cycle of this parasitic host that deposits its eggs directly in the wounds of warm-blood species including: cows, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, birds and rarely humans. The maggot is capable of killing calves within 2 weeks. While the maggot may be visible when the animal is infested it is difficult to identify prior. Umbilical cords are a very vulnerable site of infestation. All wounds should be treated to prevent infestation.

It is NOT business as usual at CSVS. We have no interest in profiteering from this problem and we have no interest in peddling fear. That said, we are now implementing strategies to prevent this pest from affecting our clientele as it is our assessment that for now, this threat is unlikely to be contained. Surgical protocols will include applied topicals to prevent NWS whenever appropriate. We have stocked additional preventive medications and treatments enabling us to respond and treat animals that may be affected.

We are confident that this pest will be eradicated from the United States in the future but we are increasingly concerned the re-emergence of this pest will affect the entirety of the continental United States and we have begun employing all epidemiological principles available to us to safeguard our clientele and their livestock. This is a joint effort and requires open communication.

Please do not hide an infestation. Report unusual wounds and fly-strike immediately. This is not a disease that can be isolated to an individual operation. It is not a disease that will result in state officials destroying infected animals. Isolation and Quarantine of affected areas and animals is inevitable and it is important that veterinarians and health officials can do their work to minimize the impact to all producers once it is identified. Infested animals are going to require veterinary treatment in most circumstances.

Consider taking the following steps on your operations to safeguard them:

1. Control fly populations through multiple modes including legal pesticide applications on premises. Appropriate manure management and animal applications.

2. Manage seemingly minor wounds differently. apply fly repellants frequently. Screwworm spray is an over the counter option and labeled to cover superficial wounds. Protect umbilical cords!

3. Encourage and utilize mechanical and natural fly control strategies near your operations.

4. Keep dogs and cats current on flea and tick control, many of which can prevent screwworm infestation.

5. Inspect animals frequently and please do not transport animals with wound infestations. Treatments do exist.

**We can and will prescribe flea and tick preventions to small animals on farms and will work to make the products available at the lowest possible prices to encourage their use. (many of these products can prevent screwworm)

There is no need to panic but please take seriously the threat of this parasitic fly. Recognize there are very few practicing veterinarians today with any real-world experience regarding this disease last eradicated from the USA in the 1960s. This is a real threat and we must take it seriously. While it is highly likely lessons will be learned and some pain will exist in the intervening period we can and we are 100% confident that we will beat this pest back together. We are not resigning our future to one along side NWS. For now, we must all focus our efforts on fortifying our operations in every way possible against this emerging threat that IS ON OUR DOORSTEP.

This is veterinary medicine. It is science based and we are not going to tolerate political ponderance or polarizing commentary on this page. We will work to answer questions in the comments.

Learn how the U.S. Government prevents New World screwworm and what to know about risks, surveillance, sterile-fly control, travel, and more.

05/25/2026

Sometimes good preventive medicine applies at home.

On this rainy Memorial Day Teddy and I put up a ramp to assist some bunnies that were nested by their mom in an elevated flower pot.

After watching them the last week it’s clear they’re about big enough to begin exploring and while their mamma clearly could make the climb and fall safely. These little guys will definitely break their backs.

We hope the ramp works.

05/24/2026

Another true story from Dr. Weeman…

Ah, it’s Sunday. The day of rest. I’m up early to carve time into the schedule to pay bills, log mileage and deal with managing a practice. Before the coffee is poured the phone makes that dreaded noise to indicate there’s a voicemail. Great, what is it this time? Probably another non-client that has miraculously discovered our number for the first time. Maybe a non-essential question that just has to be asked at this inappropriate hour? Nope-this is legit, it’s a client with a real need. I pause and remind myself this is the career of a country veterinarian….perhaps if I head out right now and they make this one of those days they sleep in, I can get home in time for the kids to awake, the bills and logistics will just need to wait, hopefully I can be quick.

The sunrise is beautiful. It’s a brisk morning, when is spring going to actually arrive I wonder. As I pull in the straight, well-manicured, tree-lined and immaculately fenced lane I can’t help but smile at the emu’s, the peacock just…peacocking over there. The now growing steer that was dying that one time looking across the pasture at me…he probably wants another shot of whiskey (that’s another story).

I pull around the barn. It’s one of those functioning farms that could easily be drawn into a children’s book. Speaking of children-I see a text from my wife that my oldest is having an absolute meltdown because I promised I’d wake him up in the morning and I’m not there. I guess as they say, choose between being a good dad and a good vet. They do say that right? This is a solid client-someone has to be disappointed-I’ll go home and teach this lesson when time permits but for now, I’ve a job to do at an inopportune time and I can’t make everyone happy.

The pond with its geese and horse pens with onlooking equids will be our backdrop.

I slide the barn doors open, I’m met by four men staring back. There’s 1500lbs of mom tied over here to my right in a pen meant for equids now commandeered by bovids. Flat like pancakes I see two calves along the opposite wall. The one entirely non-responsive, the other right behind. The ears of these twin babies remind me of one of the sad donkeys on Pinnochio’s Pleasure Island. Limp and entirely lifeless. What the heck, I thought they just needed some help nursing?

I assess the situation. I use my best Spanish to get a few critical questions answered. They were born last night. About 8 hours ago. They won’t nurse, they won’t stand and that’s what I’ve got. Mom seems fine.

Okaaaay, well, I scan the calves with my eyes. My first thought is this is a lost cause-both will die. The heifer over here is completely non-responsive. She is a “gonner” for sure. Upon making my assessment I resign her fate and I move on to her brother…he can at least hold his head up-perhaps if I help him now there’s a chance for him. Triage can be rough but we’ve limited resources-two of them, one of me. Both have a temp too low to read (less than 90 degrees).

That’s never good.

I don’t need very much communication to know the answer is not going to be to euthanize these babies. These men of few words aren’t standing here for me to put these calves down, they want them saved. Honestly, I’m eager to try-I can’t find any real reason these calves are in such a stuporous state. I think they’re literally just freezing to death even though it is a solid fifty some degrees out here. Fine, let’s try. As fate would have it, I remember this barn has a microwave. Hell, it has basically everything my house has…probably more. I microwave the fluids, it’s not ideal but it gets the job done quickly and may just save a life. Dextrose added, carefully dosed warm fluids administered via jugular catheter over prescribed timing and after some minutes the bull begins to have a little discussion with me. Nothing major but he’s talking. The guys like that. More heaters show up to put on the calves….circuit breakers begin to pop. I guess his temp must be rising? Nope. Still too low to read.

Embarrassing, I move on…. We’ve only begun this two-part series. I neglected that heifer and the bull has finished his fluids, it’s time to actually help her. The process repeats. She speaks and she lifts her head. Hi sweetheart-I didn’t think you could do that. I feel incentivized. The guys like this too. Mom’s now been tied over here for at least a couple of hours and she’s a little restless. So much for this call being quick. She’s reminded that if she’d done a better job perhaps none of us would be in this situation so she should relax…. To my delight, she actually does.

Both calves have now had max fluids, max heat has been applied (the circuits won’t allow any more) and yet they lay here, still pretty much dying. I think a bit, then ask: “tienes agua calor en aqui”? I’m sure it’s not perfect Spanish but I get an enthusiastic “Si”.
Some Spanish later I get a medium size feed pan in my hands. I fill it with hot water from the wash rack, stick the thermometer in there, measure 103 and put the heifer in the pan. She basically falls asleep. Then after what feels like forever holding her head to prevent drowning and repeatedly warming the water she starts to move her eyes, then her little legs. Holy crap, there’s a readable temperature; great!

Looking over my shoulder constantly the bull isn’t making many gains. Now the heifer is. Perhaps I need to stop ignoring him? There’s only one pan. How long exactly are we going to keep this up? We procure a work truck with an extended cab and I get the guys to park it facing the sun and to crank the heat. They’ll do just about anything for these calves. I finish soaking the heifer to a readable temperature and I put her in the truck. She’s unimpressed but her head is up… that seems promising. I focus on the bull. The process repeats. His temp is seemingly more stubborn to rise. I’m back to feeling like they’ll both die. Perhaps I've now ignored him for too long?

After some time in the blazing hot truck both lift their heads. With some gentle coaxing they nurse a smidge of mom’s colostrum from the bottle. Sweat dripping from my brow I lean over these calves in this crowded pickup coaxing them to nurse the bottle and they’re gracious enough to do so. I look up and see an anxious face pressed onto the tinted window. I can’t see if he’s excited but I think he may be. I’m starting to think the calves might live but I’m going to die in this vehicle from heat exhaustion. I must stay in here and with them a bit longer.

I get a couple pints of milk delivered to both calves…it’s not a lot, but it’s not insignificant given where we came from and ultimately we didn’t drench them-this is about as natural as it can get and it’s a far better way to feed these delicate babes. Their temps stabilize at 95 and with some encouragement the calves try to stand!
We’re now hours into this call. It’s lunch time-the guys show up with tacos and orange soda. I love orange soda! I think these babies have a solid chance and with care directions delivered, some meds injected for good measure, milk in their belly and steady progress observed, I think they can live.

I drive off while wrestling with my tacos. They insisted on feeding me tacos and I’m grateful! Over the subsequent days the calves get stronger. Mom allows them to nurse, and alas, we finally get to relax knowing it was all worth it.

Today the calves (and mom) are happy and healthy and my child accepts that I’ll be there to wake him up on Sunday as long as I don’t have an emergency. I think this is winning.

04/24/2026

Thank you to everyone that has alerted us to the spam messages being posted to our page. We have been spending all of our time treating animals and not much time here. Sorry for the lack of stories-we will try to get them back to you! Also sorry that we are NOT selling T shirts. Don’t click those links. We’ve tried to tighten up the settings to prevent this but we’re also aware other (particularly veterinary) businesses are dealing with this lately. We want everyone to be safe.

If you have ideas for how we can secure the page better send them our way (without any links, because we think those comments will be blocked now).

Do any of you actually want CSVS swag? If you do, let us know.

04/11/2026

The Caroline County Humane Society is 100% local and has been there 100% of the time when we’ve needed assistance for a client or animal. Please consider a donation to this great organization helping animals and our community. A special thanks to Autumn Reed, RVT for helping to keep us and the shelter moving along.

03/20/2026

We’ve no time to put together a more attractive post. We simply want to make sure on this 20th of March 2026 as we drive from farm to farm struggling to keep up, that we acknowledge our farmers. Not just those making high quality meat based protein for a population fortunate enough to have it in abundance, but all farmers, all ag workers!

Governor Moore may not recognize what all of you do is connected, but we do. We recognize how the hard work of our entire ag community enhances the quality of our lives. We recognize the power of the ruminant in particular and in its magnificent ability to balance our ecosystem.

Our Earth’s ability to sustain us would cease without the ruminant. Whacko activists will continue their counterpoints and that is part of what makes America great, but it hurts a bit when politicians in key leadership positions pander to them.

We recognize the science, we also recognize the silence and we call out the hypocrisy of a condescending state executive that wants to, on one hand say it supports this community and on another align with activists that seek to destroy it.

Eat meat if you’d like, don’t if you don’t. Stop blaming meat for the ills of our environment. Ignore the health benefits of moderate meat consumption if you prefer. If only all nations could be as fortunate as the population of this one to be so well fed it can forget what a blessing it is.

From us to you, we thank you. Business on the line and politics be damned we hope we’ve been unambiguous on our stance.

02/10/2026

Another true story by Dr. Weeman

In addition to providing clinical care to clients and the animals in their care, I serve on the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association’s Board in two key leadership positions: The Food Animal Representative for the state and the Legislative Committee Chair.

For one day out of the year the scrubs and coveralls get replaced with a suit and tie and the focus of medicine moves from the quiet farms of the shore to the quaint Maryland State Capital of Annapolis. It’s hard to step out of the clinic and spend this time, but its critical for it to happen. On yet another unseasonally frigid morning the day starts prior to the sunrise. This time instead of checking the cows I check the watch to make sure I am in the correct office at the correct time. The morning is filled with meetings with our state legislators from across the districts of the state. A small group of dedicated veterinarians commits to the task of representing our colleagues. We do not walk in with a list of requests. We do not walk in with any demands. We do not even have a real agenda on our mind. For us, as veterinarians, we focus on acting like the gentle doctors we are assigned to be.

My favorite part of the meeting is the beginning. The legislator or the legislative aide we meet with offers a formal greeting, sits straight in the chair with notepad at the ready to ravenously receive our requests. After the introductions, I love to pause and watch as we tell our host that we have no requests. The calm, the ease, the wry smile that tends to creep across their face is utmost reward. Sometimes they cannot believe it-we must reiterate. Other times the relaxation lends to easy conversation that all in the room seem to genuinely enjoy. We talk about cattle, pigs, we talk about cats, dogs and not the legislation- just how much we all enjoy them.

If we are not here to advance a legislative agenda, what then is our purpose? During the meetings we remind our representatives that we are here to serve as a resource to them when legislation affecting animals, veterinary medicine, and agriculture present. We know that if we do not show up activists will. We are building rapport and nothing more. In the minutes between meetings-calls about kiddings, calvings, down-cows, white-tailed deer, some dogs, cats and a wayward equid come in and need to be handled. This is veterinary medicine in the truest form. The words “retained placenta” echo off marble a little bit differently. Did that Senator just hear me say that…. good, hopefully she understands there are real people here doing this work.

Today after the meetings with legislators from across the state I will offer in-person testimony in the House of Delegates. Prior to entering the hearing to offer testimony another call comes in about a deceased bison and the need for some f***l samples to be processed. You are in luck I proclaim-there is no need to make the drive across the bridge today! I talk with our lobbyist who agrees to allow the farmer to bring these p**p samples to her office. Of course I require assurances from her that this is the first time her office staff has ever been talked into willingly receiving a bag of sh*t…. there’s just something exhilarating about standing in these hallowed halls wearing a suit among plenty of seemingly important people and having an appropriate conversation about cattle and f***ls around the corner from where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-In-Chief. I hope the father of this nation would be proud; I imagine him hearing it and smiling just a bit.

The veterinarian is the only professional on this earth to swear an oath to the protection and prevention of animal suffering, promotion of public health and the conservation of the resources required by both. It is one day out of the year we work to deliver directly on all three. When we show up and do this work, we make sure the cow is represented. When she is represented, the farmer providing her care is taken care of. When the farmer providing her care finds success, we take care of and preserve the land that both require. When that land is allowed to bless this state with its magnificent bounty, we bless our bay and take care of the communities that rely upon it. When we take care of those communities we honor our oath and those who we rely on for the privilege of being here in service to all of them.

Today its a privilege to serve not only the animals, the clients but this entire profession.

01/26/2026

In the coming days we will be transitioning our texting services. During this transition our text services may be interrupted. As has always been the case if we do not reply to a text...be sure to call. Call services should NOT be interrupted during the transition.

A few key changes:

1. First and foremost we hope we will receive 100% of the messages that are sent to us following the tansition. It has been a problem consistently that we do not.

2. Messages will be automatically saved to patient files/history (yes, that means whatever gets sent gets saved).

3. Automated replies will be in effect, mainly to alert individuals when they have texted us after hours that the message won't be read until the next business day. PLEASE DONT USE TEXT SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY REQUESTS....always call for an emergency, even if it is an after hours question. We know it is less convenient but we can not keep up with service to our clients, our families and life obligations as humans AND after hours text messages. To avoid after hours call fees we encourage everyone to take advantage of our FREE telehealth consultation services offered to every one of our clientele by contacting us during normal business hours.

01/21/2026

Another true story from Dr. Weeman….

To most people, a stray cat is exactly that. At times the wary feline may be rewarded with a warm place to sleep, a full bowl of food or perhaps even a home to call its own. For the average stray cat the most to be hoped for is a fight free night, an easy meal and a safe place to hide. When things get rough, I can only imagine they simply cast a wayward wish for a quick goodbye.

Rarely, and on this day, a dramatically different fate would await the tiny, emaciated felid that showed up at our door. My technician presented her hastily for her unplanned visit. With one glance I remember asking “what’s this?” in a hesitantly concerned and almost incredulous tone. “They found her” my tech replies. As I stare upon my new patient I’m shocked that I simply can’t find her eyes. I can’t really see her breathing. I look for a heartbeat and I hear it but, compelling as that may be-it seems a stretch to suspect a positive outcome. “What is our goal here?” I ask. They want to save her I’m told. That’s nice….where again are her freaking eyeballs?

I think a bit, I convince myself that saving her isn’t going to happen and not wanting to leave the kitten’s side I send my technician, like a missionary, to the exam room holding the client that I know well and her task is to inform them that the likelihood of heavy expense is high and success low. It doesn’t take long for the technician to return and to definitively declare that they don’t care, they don’t want her euthanized, they don’t care how bad it looks, they want her saved. They understand it doesn’t look good and they just need me to do all I can.

Well…. Okay, lets get a catheter placed, what a challenge that is-the term “thready vein” doesn’t seem so much like a misnomer in this case, but we certainly need to do something to make sure we can maintain her blood pressure. I go back to her eyes, what of them, where are they….one tech quips they’ve been pecked out of her head. Indeed, I’m not sure they haven’t been but as I look into the deep socket where the eye(s) should be what is this in my way. Are these maggots? Lice? Where have I seen this before…. I think…..finally, it comes to me… They’re bots!

Bot fly eggs that is… just like those we see on the hairs of horse legs. What must have been hundreds of them. Literally filling every available millimeter of her eye sockets. They're in the socket, on her eyelids and literally between her eyelids and on the eyeballs. I tell my technician we need those removed and I don’t have a good way of doing it aside from pulling them one by one from the hair they’ve been cemented to. Without questioning she diligently begins the task.

For what felt like days, the IV drips to her tiny lifeless body. Her warming fluids appear to be building her body temperature back to one more compatible with life. Eventually what looks like a dim, deeply dropped eyeball begins to reveal itself through the thick mat of parasite fly eggs. After what was truly hours these eyes are parasite free. This kitten is stabilizing and her blood values make it seem that really she is just malnourished and dehydrated, is it possible she simply couldn’t see to eat and drink?

Remarkably quickly really, as her therapy persists her demeanor improves. The life comes back to her eyes, I'm pretty sure we all watched 7/9 of her lives float through the room as she begins to move, she sits, she stands she drinks and she eats. She can see. Cats really can be amazing. If only ruminants could rebound so quickly!

She came to me years ago. She visits each year through the Facebook memories of her grateful owner. Veterinary care certainly had its role in helping her, but it was the good Samaritan (now her owner) that found her, refused to give up on her and ultimately saved her. We love seeing her to this day because we are reminded that even when hope seems lost it can be found and the case epitomizes the reason I became a veterinarian. I love helping animals and people. To have a case where both seem genuinely grateful makes it all worthwhile.

We will see you next year sweet kitten.

01/03/2026

FOR a limited time we are opening TWO spots in our small ruminant plans which have been closed to new clients for 2 years. Now through 1/15/2026 If you would like to take advantage of this program you may do so by contacting us to enroll.

Small Ruminants are fantastic animals to care for. They are a large part of our practice and we take the care of them seriously. Our clients do also. We believe in comprehensive, preventive medicine because it works and these plans make it affordable.

See the plan options listed in the comments below.

**update** there was an overwhelming response and we have filled the slots. If you desire to be included on the next round we want you to let us know and we will make a list of first come, first to include. We grow this plan slowly to make sure we adhere to a high standard.

Those who are not in our plans are still eligible to receive veterinary care. We have not barred new clients from our busy practice because 1. We are investing and growing it 2. We had/have livestock and really can’t imagine being told we couldn’t have a vet because they’re “too busy”