Medicine in Motion Veterinary Services

08/05/2026

If you have recently ordered Adequan lately (dog or horse), please check your bottle size & lot number as there is a recall!
Please go to the FDA Website for more info (link below) - but this is the info regarding what lots/products are affected. If you have one of these bottles, stop its use immediately & contact American Reagent (listed on the FDA site). If you do not have one of these bottles, don't worry, you are still using a great product!

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/american-regent-inc-animal-health-issues-nationwide-recall-two-lots-adequanr-canine-and-two-lots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 31, 2026 – Shirley, NY, American Regent, Inc. Animal Health is conducting a nationwide recall of two lots (25011 and 3369) of Adequan® Canine Injection (for dogs), 100 mg/mL 5mL multi-dose vials and two lots (24416 and 25265P) of Adequan® i.m. Injection (for horses), 500mg/5 mL single-dose 5mL vials to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to the presence of glass fibers found during testing of internally retained samples.

07/25/2026

07/24/2026

Thoroughpin in Horses
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners®
394 Fox Road
Apollo, PA 15613
(724) 727-3481
www.foxrunequine.com

Thoroughpin is tenosynovitis of the tarsal sheath, which encloses the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) of the hindlimb as it travels along the back of the hock. The swelling in the tendon sheath may or may not cause pain or lameness. Tendon sheaths are synovial filled sleeves lubricate tendons as they pass over joint surfaces. Inflammation of a tendon sheath is termed tenosynovitis.

Clinically, thoroughpin is noted by fluid filled swellings along the medial or lateral aspects of the hindlimb just above the point of the hock. These swellings are sometimes mistaken for effusion of the plantar pouches of the tibiotarsal joint, which is part of bog spavin. In thoroughpin, the swelling is associated with the tendons- gastrocnemius, superficial digital flexor, and deep digital flexor- along the back of the hock.

Thoroughpin is usually unilateral and is idiopathic but may be caused by trauma to the DDFT within the tendon sheath or to the sheath lining itself. Idiopathic tenosynovitis is not associated with inflammation or lameness. There is usually no history of trauma, and the effusion is insidious in nature. Varying in size, thoroughpin is usually a cosmetic blemish, and is of greater concern in show horses.

Acute tenosynovitis is often associated with greater effusion and lameness, accompanied by heat and pain to palpation. Ultrasound should be used to look for damage to the tendon.

Chronic tenosynovitis is characterized by synovial effusion and a thickened tendon sheath. There may be adhesions between the layers of the tendon sheath or the sheath and the tendon. There may be loss of function. Thoroughpin is rarely associated with lameness.

The same conformational abnormalities and athletic endeavors that predispose horses to thoroughpin can also lead to arthritis. Therefore trimming/shoeing strategies, footing materials, exercise program, and soundness in horses with thoroughpin should be evaluated to prevent the occurrence of other lameness issues.

TREATMENT

Stall rest. This is most effective in acute cases (e.g. if a recent injury).

Cold-water hosing and/or application of ice. Again, this is more effective in the acute stage.

Topical therapy with a steroid sweat. Although this strategy is most effective in the acute phase, we have also observed positive response in subacute and chronic cases.

Bandaging can be very effective, but bandaging the hock is difficult and can result in compromise of the skin over the point of the hock. Thus, this is not used often.

The fluid can be aspirated from the tendon sheath, which provides temporary relief as fluid quickly accumulates once more. Therefore, the sheath can be injected with a combination of steroid, atropine, and antibiotic to stop fluid production by the synoviocytes lining the tendon sheath. Serial injections are usually required to produce a permanent result. As with most injuries, early treatment is more likely to be successful.

The fluid obtained from this type of lesion is likely to be not only voluminous, but lacking in mucin, making the fluid quite thin. The white blood cell count and protein of the fluid should be measured to ensure that early septic tenosynovitis is not overlooked.

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy has also been implemented with some degree of success. This technique works by diminishing secretory properties of the tendon sheath lining.

Surgery can be used to break up adhesions that form inside the tendon sheath or when injections have proven ineffective. Cases that require surgery have a guarded prognosis for full recovery.

The use of shock wave therapy or laser therapy in cases where there is tendon damage may be helpful. If there is no tendon damage, laser therapy is more appropriate to reduce the swelling.

As with any disease or disorder, early intervention is recommended to result in the best possible outcome. Chronic tenosynovitis is less likely to respond to conservative therapy.



Fox Run Equine Center

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

07/16/2026

🔥 Wildfire Smoke & Horse Health 🐴💨

Poor air quality can be harmful not only to us but our horses too. Smoke from wildfires can irritate a horse's respiratory system and cause fatigue, coughing, difficulty breathing, etc.

You can monitor local air quality at www.airnow.gov. During periods of poor air quality, you can protect your horse's health by:

🐎 Limiting or avoiding exercise.
💧 Providing free access to fresh water.
💦 Controlling dust such as watering dry lots and soaking or feeding dust-free hay.
🕰 Allowing time for recovery: airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal after air quality returns to normal.
☎️ Consult your vet if you notice signs of smoke irritation.

For more information visit: ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/wildfire-smoke-and-horses

07/15/2026

Bute vs. Banamine: What’s the Difference? 🐴💊

One of the most common questions we get is, “Should my horse get Bute or Banamine?” While both medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they work a little differently and are best suited for different conditions.

🐎 Phenylbutazone (Bute) is our go-to medication for musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. It works exceptionally well for conditions involving the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Horses with arthritis, laminitis, soft tissue injuries, or general orthopedic soreness often respond better to Bute because it provides excellent pain relief for the musculoskeletal system.

🐎 Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine) is generally our first choice for visceral pain—pain originating from the internal organs. This makes it the preferred medication for horses experiencing colic, as it is very effective at controlling intestinal pain. Banamine also has strong anti-endotoxic effects, making it an important part of treating serious infections, pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, colitis, endotoxemia, and severe inflammatory conditions. It can also be helpful for certain eye conditions, such as uveitis.

While there is some overlap between these medications, we typically choose Bute for orthopedic pain and Banamine for colic, fever, and systemic inflammatory disease. They should not be given together unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, as combining NSAIDs significantly increases the risk of stomach ulcers, right dorsal colitis, and kidney injury.

Every horse and every condition is different. Choosing the right medication—and using the correct dose for the appropriate length of time—is an important part of keeping your horse safe while providing the best possible pain relief. As always, consult your veterinarian for medication guidance and instructions!

06/26/2026

PSA - Dr. Bacon will be out of office July 30 - August 5th. If you reach out during this time via phone or email, you will get an out of office reply. Messages will be returned on August 6th and 7th.

There are very few appointment slots left in July for front range clients. For small animal in-hospital appointments, many of the hospital dates already have a full schedule, with cancellation waitlist available. Please be courteous with your advanced notice of any cancellation needs, so that those on the waitlist have a chance to get in for an appointment. Cancellations less than 24 hours are subject to late cancellation fees. It is highly recommended to reach out early to forward book to guarantee an appointment slot over the busy summer months.

Text message during business hours is the fastest way to reach out right now for mobile visit scheduling. Please plan accordingly with the upcoming out of office notice for those of you on herbal therapy to get refills. It can take around seven business days to obtain your refill from Jing Tang if it is out of stock at my home office. If you wait until too close to the out of office timeframe, it would be recommended that herbs be directly drop shipped to you to guarantee delivery (shipping fees will apply.)

Thank you to all my clients for your continued support, and for planning ahead with your appointments. Rest and self care is important for everyone, including your animal health care providers.

05/13/2026

Posture is the natural way that an animal holds their body in response to a feeling or outside forces with respect to gravity. This includes the position of the limbs, as well as the position of the spine, during standing, sitting, or lying down.

Science tells us that it physically takes more energy for animals to not equally distribute weight through out the body during standing. So, if they are not standing squarely, why is the animal doing it?

These series of images show animals with some abnormal postures (as well as some abnormal anatomy in certain cases) that all had health issues that needed to be addressed. If you notice that your animal has a repetitive standing, sitting, or lying down behavior, you should mention it to your animal health professional at your next visit.

05/11/2026

Farm animals are often misunderstood because the average person has never had the chance to interact with them. They are social, inquisitive, and responsive. They get aches and pains, just like our domestic species.

Chiropractic can help open the flow of the system to normalize the waves of the body by aiding healthy biomechanics. A qualified Doctor (DVM or DC) uses controlled and highly educated technique to deliver the therapy.

Acupuncture stimulates cellular activity and releases endorphins by getting the body energy (Qi) moving. Stagnant energy can create pain and malfunction.

We love watching these therapies work together on these special animals!

05/06/2026

🌟 Acupuncture for hindquarter weakness & mobility 🌟

Kidney 1 is under the central pad of the rear paw, between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones. Needling this point has research that shows the stimulation of muscle spindle and nerve fibers essential for balance and motion. It can enhance sensory nerve feedback to the rest of the system, so this can be amplified with the use of electroacupuncture connections to other places on the limb or body.

This patient received chiropractic care, acupuncture therapy, and cold laser with Dr. Meg for an integrative approach. Dr. Meg is a mixed animal veterinarian that uses combined techniques of western medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture and TCVM herbal therapies to get patients feeling their best.

05/03/2026