Wasatch Veterinary Large Animal

06/23/2026

Equine dental caps are baby teeth that horses naturally shed as their permanent adult teeth erupt, typically between 2–5 years of age. Most caps fall off on their own during chewing but sometimes they become retained or impacted, causing pain, foul odor, difficulty eating, head tossing, bit resistance or swelling of the jaw. Retained caps can trap feed material and create discomfort or infection if left untreated. Routine dental exams and dental equilibration by a veterinarian are important to identify and safely remove problematic caps before they lead to larger dental issues. Keeping up with regular equine dentistry helps maintain comfort, performance and overall health in growing horses.

06/19/2026

Friday fun fact: Llamas and alpacas have a three-compartment stomach rather than the four-compartment stomach found in cattle, sheep and goats. Horses, cats and dogs only have a single compartment stomach. Camelids unique anatomy is one of the many reasons camelid medicine can be both challenging and rewarding!

06/16/2026

Corneal ulcers can occur in any animal, including horses, cattle, goats, sheep, alpacas, dogs and cats and they should always be taken seriously. A corneal ulcer is a scratch, erosion or wound on the surface of the eye that can be caused by trauma from hay, dust, bedding, foreign objects, entropion (eyelid abnormalities), infections or even improper use of certain medications. Signs often include squinting, excessive tearing, redness, cloudiness, swelling and sensitivity to light. Treatment depends on the severity of the ulcer and may include antibiotic eye medications, pain relief, anti-inflammatory treatment, protective eye masks or surgical procedures such as conjunctival grafts in severe cases. If an ulcer becomes infected, perforates or causes irreversible damage and chronic pain, enucleation (surgical removal of the eye) may be recommended as a humane option to improve the animal’s comfort and quality of life. Early veterinary intervention is key in any animal as eye issues can worsen quickly.

06/13/2026

Friday fun fact: Sheep have an incredible 300+ degree field of vision. Their eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads, allowing them to spot potential predators without turning around. This amazing adaptation helps keep the flock safe in open pastures.

06/09/2026

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a common endocrine disorder in horses characterized by insulin dysregulation, obesity—especially regional fat deposits such as a cresty neck—and an increased risk of laminitis. The condition develops when a horse’s tissues become less responsive to insulin, often due to genetic predisposition combined with factors like high-calorie diets, limited exercise and excessive body weight. Diagnosis is based on physical findings and confirmed with blood tests that evaluate glucose and insulin levels through a variety of tests. Treatment focuses on improving insulin sensitivity through strict dietary control—typically low-sugar, low-starch forage and restricted calorie intake—along with regular exercise when safe. Weight reduction, careful pasture management and ongoing monitoring by a veterinarian are key to reducing laminitis risk and helping horses with EMS lead healthier, more comfortable lives.

06/06/2026

Good information. Not just for our goat clients but all those large animals

Fly control starts before you ever see a fly. 🐑🐐

The most effective thing you can do for your animals right now is find where flies are actually developing on your property. Flies breed in moist organic material — not just manure piles, but soiled bedding, decomposing hay and feed waste, wet spots under water troughs, and shaded corners where moisture collects.

A quick check takes less than a minute: turn over a handful of material from a suspect area. White maggots mean you've found an active breeding site. That's exactly where your fly control efforts should go.

Our friends at Spalding Labs have been helping farms get ahead of fly season naturally for over 50 years. If you're looking for a chemical-free solution that stops flies before they hatch, they're a great place to start: https://info.spalding-labs.com/?rfsn=9083803.a2fecb

*AASRP may receive a benefit from purchases made through links to our preferred partners. These partnerships help support the Association’s programs and services.

06/05/2026

Friday fun fact: did you know llamas have specially adapted red blood cells that help them thrive at high altitudes? Unlike many animals, llamas red blood cells are smaller, more numerous and oval-shaped, allowing them to carry oxygen more efficiently in the thin mountain air of the Andes. This unique adaptation helps llamas live comfortably in elevations over 13,000 feet. Beyond being adorable and full of personality, these fascinating camelids are built for survival in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

06/03/2026

We totally understand when you need us out of hours. However, if it isn't an emergency, we appreciate texts sent within normal business hours and the send later option makes that so much easier.

Please don't be THAT client who accidentally wakes up their horse doctor with a non-urgent text! On call or not, your veterinarian deserves a full-night rest. 💤

If you have a late-night or weekend thought, update, or question that does not warrant an emergency response, please hold off on sending that text until the next business day OR utilize your smartphone's "Send Later" feature to schedule the text to be received at an appropriate hour/business day.

If you haven't used your phone's "Send Later" feature, a quick Google search can help you find the instructions compatible with your specific smartphone model. If you're an iPhone user, reference our graphic for a quick visual.

We promise your horse doctor will thank you for letting them sleep through the night and enjoy their weekend uninterrupted by non-emergency texts. As a reminder, it's never a bad idea to ask your veterinarian about their after-hours emergency policies. With horses, emergencies are bound to happen; let's just be mindful of our vet's policies and on-call schedule before we send that text or call.

06/02/2026

Shearing sheep and alpacas is a vital part of herd and flock management and comfort, especially as temperatures rise. Removing the wool/fiber helps prevent heat stress, improves mobility and reduces the risk of issues like parasite buildup and fly strike. For alpacas, annual shearing is essential for maintaining high-quality fiber production. Proper handling, clean equipment and an experienced shearer help ensure the process is safe and low-stress for the animals. It’s also a great opportunity to assess body condition, check for skin issues and work alongside a veterinarian to keep animals healthy and thriving through the warmer months.

05/29/2026

Friday fun fact: horses can’t vomit. They have a very strong one way cardiac sphincter (valve) at the stomach’s entrance. Additionally, they have a steep entry angle of the esophagus and lack the necessary neural reflexes that trigger vomiting. This anatomic makeup makes it impossible to vomit, which is why issues like colic can become serious quickly as any GI issues can only go one way. Gas buildup or blockages can cause extreme pressure and twisted intestines (torsion) cut off blood supply, leading to tissue death.