Copper Cactus Veterinary Care

10/28/2026

Well, the time has come.

Are we afraid? Nope!
Are we aware and prepared? Yup!

🪰 New World Screwworm has been detected in Arizona- Cochise County (south east) in a dog.

What this means for ALL animal movement: the AZ State Vet Office will issue inspection and movement guidelines for all animals outside of the “infested” area and “surveillance” area.

We will keep you up to date as more guidance rolls out.

In the meantime time- if your animal (horse/dog/cow/etc) has any wounds, apply fly spray daily and monitor for any maggots 🐛
Share with your friends!

10/23/2026

🪰 NWS (New World Screwworm) affects any and all warm blooded animals. It has some “favorites” such as cows, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs

Other warm blooded animals are at risk! Cats, humans, and different wild animals.

The more flies, the higher the risk the “lesser favorite” species become prey.

🦌 Can a wild animal survive NWS? Possibly, but typically not. We cannot monitor and treat every wild animal in an infested zone.

What should a rancher, hunter, or pet owner look out for? 👀
- unusual wounds with larvae (maggots)
- maggots located in an abnormal area of the body (belly button/umbilicus, between the toes, on the face)
- a strong, foul odor from maggots infested wounds that smells different

📞Why should I report a suspicious maggot wound to my veterinarian (livestock or pets) or AZ Game warden (wildlife)?
- STERILE FLIES!! ➡️ right now the best and only way to halt this pest is to have sterile flies dropped in the location of the NWS infected animal. These sterile flies render the breeding females useless. Useless breeding female flies = no new NWS flies = no more risky flesh eating maggots 👍

USDA Confirms First Detection of New World Screwworm in U.S. Wildlife.

New World screwworm has been confirmed in an elk on a Pecos County, TX game ranch. USDA has prepared for NWS cases in wildlife and is working with TX partners to increase wildlife surveillance in the area.

The case was reported after the elk was harvested by a hunter, underscoring how vital hunters, landowners, and outdoor enthusiasts are in spotting and reporting NWS early.

As hunting seasons continue, stay alert for:
• Maggots in wounds or body openings
• Open or foul-smelling injuries
• Weak, isolated, or distressed animals
• Signs of infestation around the nose, mouth, ears, eyes, or ge***al areas

If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately. Quick action helps protect wildlife, livestock, and pets.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-first-detection-new-world-screwworm-us-wildlife

Visit USDA’s Wildlife Toolkit for information for hunters, wildlife-specific NWS treatments, and wildlife health preparedness and response information: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm/wildlife

10/21/2026

🥛 Are you a homestead dairy facility?

🐄 Do you purchase dairy calves and mingle them with your beef cattle?

🤠 Do you have an “open” herd of cattle (a closed herd has no newcomers)

✅ If you said yes to any of the above, learn about a slow and silent killer called Johnes disease (yo-knees)

This bacteria is linked to cattle loss and implicated in human health concerns with raw milk consumption.

Ask is about Johnes testing in your herd!

Copper Cactus Veterinary Care
📱928-756-3766
💻www.coppercactusvet.com

https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/johnes-disease/

10/19/2026

We sure appreciate all of the vet techs out there in the world! Behind every successful veterinarian a great group of people.

Shout out to our very own Racheal, whose decades of vet tech experience are greatly appreciated and felt! ❤️❤️

10/14/2026

💉 EMS part 4: testing and the long game.

We confirm EMS with bloodwork. The preferred test is an oral sugar test: a short fast, a measured dose of corn syrup by mouth, and a blood draw 60 to 90 minutes later to see how much insulin your horse releases. A single "random" sample can be diagnostic for 60-70% of horses.

🐴 Horses over 10 should also be checked for PPID (Cushing's), since the two often go together. From there the plan is diet, regular hoof care, and exercise if the feet are sound. Even 15 minutes of trotting five days a week helps. Horses with active laminitis need to be cleared first.

We recheck bloodwork about every 6-12 months, and insulin tends to run higher in winter, so this is not the season to add feed.

Think your horse is a candidate? Call or message us to set up testing: (928) 756-3766

⬇⬇⬇
Image Below: A recent study just released has revealed that a higher population of horses are affected by metabolic syndrome than initially expected.

Takeaway: Even horses who are visually "normal" can hide metabolic syndrome, increasing risks of laminitis and founder

10/13/2026

🌿 EMS part 3: feeding the easy keeper. 🥕

For most EMS horses, the feed program is the treatment. Cut the grain and sugary treats. Rethink heavy alfalfa: an overweight easy keeper rarely needs those calories, and a tested low-sugar grass hay is a better base (aim for under 10% NSC, ask us before you switch, and change over gradually).

⚖ Weigh your hay, because a flake is not a measurement. For weight loss, most horses start around 1.5% of body weight per day, about 15 lb for a 1,000 lb horse.

🐢 Use a slow feeder or several small meals, and add a low-sugar ration balancer for vitamins and minerals. Do not starve a horse thin. Severe restriction is dangerous, especially for ponies, minis, and donkeys.

We can help you build a plan.

📱 Call or text us at: 928-756-3766

10/12/2026

🍭 EMS part 2: would you recognize it? 🍩

EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) often develops quietly, and feet can change before a horse ever limps. Watch for: a thick, cresty neck; fat pads behind the shoulders, over the ribs, or at the tailhead; a puffy sheath or udder; a horse that stays heavy even when you cut the feed; hoof rings that are wider at the heel than at the toe; short, careful steps on hard ground or soreness after a trim; and any past laminitis. Lean horses can have it too. Keep your farrier on a regular schedule, because they are often the first to spot early hoof changes.

Sound like your horse? A simple blood test can tell us.

📱 Call or message us: (928) 756-3766

10/11/2026

What a great idea Dr Bender! Support Mother Road Brewing and Rabies awareness in Arizona

Have a special release b**r in recognition of World Rabies Day at Mother Road Brewery! A friend and fellow AZ veterinarian brewed Pasteur’s Cure. Congrats on the b**r and raising awareness for a One Health Disease, Dr. Bender!

10/10/2026

No grass, no founder? Not quite. Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a set of risk factors that makes a horse much more likely to develop laminitis. The root of it is insulin: the horse's body releases too much in response to sugar and starch, and high insulin over time damages the tissue that holds the hoof wall to the bone. Pasture is one way to get there. Too many calories, grain, and rich hay in a dry lot is another, and it is the one we see most in Arizona. Ponies, minis, Morgans, Arabians, gaited and Spanish breeds, and donkeys are at higher risk. The good news: EMS is very manageable once you know your horse has it.

Part 1 of 4. Next up: the signs to watch for.

10/09/2026

Enjoy this article recently published with the university of Arizona College of Agriculture news

Arizona and New Mexico state veterinary offices have been working tirelessly to ensure a well coordinated and aggressive response to New World screwworm if and when cases appear in our territory

Dr. Madelyn had the privilege of representing Arizona Livestock Veterinarians through ALIRT during this tabletop exercise


https://cales.arizona.edu/news/when-threat-crosses-borders-so-must-response



ALIRT and the Arizona Department of Agriculture brought partners from across the region together to work through the real-world challenges of a New World screwworm response.