Large Animal Practice

03/28/2026

Fair’s coming!!

03/25/2026

Large Animal Practice is super excited to offer hydraulic squeeze chute services to our clients! Please inquire at the office for more details. 

03/01/2026

Some days vet med is like this…

02/27/2026

We thought that would be good to emphasize to any of our clients traveling to or from Arizona, that with the current Vesicular Stomatitis outbreak the “standard” rules of health certificates do not apply.

February 26, 2026: CDFA is aware of the ongoing VSV outbreak that has confirmed cases in multiple counties in Arizona. As of today, there are NO confirmed cases in California. The California borders remain open to animal travel. However, any livestock animals coming to (or returning to) California from Arizona must have a CVI examination within 7 days of travel, and a VSV statement on a CVI reflecting VSV status to travel into California: "I have examined all the animals identified on this certificate within seven (7) days of shipment date and found them to be free from signs of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS). During the last fourteen (14) days, these animals have not been exposed to VS nor located on a VS confirmed or a VS suspected premises.” Any confirmed cases in California will be posted here as CDFA will continue to actively monitor the situation. Alerts for national cases for this VSV outbreak can be found at the USDA website here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/vesicular-stomatitis.

Vesicular stomatitis is a contagious disease of livestock, mainly affecting horses and cattle with blister-like lesions.

02/19/2026

Large Animal Practice clients and friends:

Shortages of rural and large animal veterinarians has been discussed at length for the last several decades and the problem isn’t getting any better! But, the problem WON’T get solved by opening more vet schools, admitting more students and graduating more veterinarians! The brutal truth is that student loans (often more than $300k) are financially crippling our young veterinarians and making it nearly impossible to stay in livestock medicine. Roughly 50% of large/mixed/equine veterinarians are in small animal practice within 3-4 years.
What can you do about it?
Write a letter and support the designation of San Luis Obispo county as a county with a veterinary shortage! By demonstrating a need for more large animal veterinarians a significant portion of a young veterinarian’s student loans can be paid off!
Letters can either be sent to the clinic [email protected] or directly to the California coordinator at [email protected].
Letters should indicate that there is a critical shortage of veterinarians in the county servicing a particular livestock species (excluding equine and small animals), particularly cattle and small ruminants. The letter should indicate if you are a member of a local organization, a client who needs services and a commitment to using the new veterinarian.
Your help is greatly appreciated!!!

02/02/2026

FREE BONUS: Client education resources!☺️

Timely intervention is the #1 predictor of live births. But getting clients to call you early enough? That's the challenge.

I've created ready-to-share social media posts for your clinic to educate clients about when to intervene during lambing and kidding (plus cattle dystocias!). 🐮

Download FREE under Resources at largeanimalce.com
And if you want the complete clinical protocols to back up that client education? https://largeanimalce.com/product/lambing-and-kidding-season-series/

01/24/2026

Just another day at the office. 

11/19/2025

Great information regarding the herpes outbreak in Texas. An additional note released from the California state veterinarian is that there are no confirmed cases in California at this point. Due diligence to reduce possibility of spread is highly recommended! 

Here are the questions discussed in the conversation on the live A and A: continue asking questions and we will answer throughout the day.

1. Should producers cancel this weekend?
- Answer: Yes, they should cancel.

2. How would you advise neighboring states to proceed with horse events?
- Answer: Less movement of horses will help resolve the outbreak faster.

3. Is BVH aware of cases outside of the Waco horses?
- Answer: Currently, only aware of cases in Waco, but expect potential spread.

4. Is this contagious to humans?
- Answer: No, it is not contagious to people.

5. Can someone who attended these races get a test at the clinic?
- Answer: Yes, they can screen horses and we will do trailer-side examinations.

6. How do you advise other disciplines to respond?
- Answer: Be discipline-specific, vaccinate, take temperatures, and practice good biosecurity.

7. Is there any risk that farriers could transmit this from barn to barn?
- Answer: Unlikely, as farriers are typically careful about infectious disease transmission.

8. How do people get vaccines without bringing their horse to the clinic?
- Answer: Vaccines require a veterinary exam, either at the clinic or on the farm, call and we can schedule this for you.

9. When do you suggest getting boosters?
- Answer: If the last vaccines were given more than 90 days ago, then as soon as possible to increase antibodies and slow virus spread.

10. What is your choice for disinfecting tech buckets, the barn, etc.?
- Answer: Avoid bleach, use accelerated hydrogen peroxide, phenols, or quaternary ammonia products. (rescue or companion)

11. How long will the virus last on surfaces if not disinfected?
- Answer: 2 days on dry surfaces, up to 2 weeks on wet surfaces.

12. Can horses have the virus without fever or nasal discharge?
- Answer: Yes, they can still be potentially contagious.

13. Can lysine or other products help prevent or build immunity?
- Answer: No, lysine and zinc have not been effective. Vaccines are the best prevention.

14. What is a normal horse temperature?
- Answer: 99 to 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on environmental conditions.

15. Is it okay to ride your horse at home if they were exposed but have no symptoms?
- Answer: Yes, but be smart about separating horses and avoid sharing tack.

16. If a horse had recent exposure in the last two days and is not vaccinated, should they be vaccinated now?
- Answer: Yes, vaccination can help reduce virus shedding and spread.

11/12/2025

They tried…

11/03/2025

Also, homicide may occur if you use this or any other goopy substance in a wound for vets to suture.

🧴 It is Medicine Monday! And it is all yellow. That is right we are talking about Furacin or Fura-zone Ointment (Nitrofurazone). Not all wound products are created equally and may be a detriment to wound healing.

💛 Nitrofurazone is a topical water-soluble ointment with antibacterial properties for superficial wounds. And it is commonly used in combination with DMSO gel as a “sweat” for horses with cellulitis. Nitrofurazone should never be used on open wounds. Research has shown that nitrofurazone inhibits wound healing by as much as 24%.

☣️Nitrofurazone is associated with carcinogenicity, defined as the potential of a biomaterial to promote tumor formation. This has led to many horse owners throwing out their supply due to this risk.

🩺 We always recommend seeking veterinary advise and an exam when it comes to wounds. Wounds may involve important structures including bone, tendon sheaths and/or joints. It is important that wounds be thoroughly examined by your veterinarian so they can recommend appropriate diagnostics, treatment options and possible referral to an equine hospital.

❌ Now, Fura-Zone is no longer available; other nitrofurazone products are still available.

10/31/2025

Picture from a few years ago!
Happy Halloween from Large Animal Practice!