EponaVet

10/27/2026

Hi everyone! I know it’s been awhile since we have posted updates on our community clinics and feline fix clinics, and so many people have been reaching out to ask when our next ones are, so I will update everyone here. Brevity has never been my strong suit and this turned out lengthier than planned, so bear with me!

Our team at EponaVet has been taking a break from hosting clinics for a few months now—we understand this has been disappointing as we receive overwhelmingly positive feedback about our clinics, and we know many people have come to rely on our services at Rowens Kennels in Brighton, and Double J in Greenville.

The amount of work behind the scenes that goes into these clinics to prep, the rising costs yet tight financial budget we have in order to keep these services affordable to the community, working weekends after busy weekdays, and the emotional burnout from clients with unreasonable expectations of low cost/high volume services are the main reasons that we have paused our clinics for the time being.

I debated whether to share this more personal side of my decision-making or not, but I truly value the relationships I have with my clients who let me into their personal lives, so I want to let you in to a bit of mine. I was dealing with months of post-concussive symptoms after my head injury at work in March (fatigue, brain fog, depression/anxiety, worsened executive functioning, neuroendocrine dysfunction, etc), as well as chronic dental pain from my fractured tooth from my head injury, and I have needed the recovery time on the weekends. I finally am feeling back to myself mentally and physically, and I got my permanent filling earlier this month after 6 months of dental restorations/infections/root canal retreatments, which I am so grateful for!

Unfortunately, now my own dog Daisy (the cute beagle below) was recently diagnosed with a type of cancer that isn’t curable and spreads very quickly—we are still figuring out her treatment plan, and I don’t know how much time I’ll have left with her. I don’t want to regret working my life away over spending the time I have left with my heart dog who I got when I started vet school. My pets are the only family I have at home, and they mean so much to me. I truly don’t know what I’ll do without her. 💔

I know your pets mean just as much to you too, which is why it was a tough call pausing our clinics after years of hosting them monthly. We have been taking this time to regroup and decide what our future looks like. We value helping our communities and their animals access quality veterinary care, and my practice goal is to prioritize both your pets and my team for many years to come. We are always learning and adjusting, and we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding as we determine the most sustainable path for our team going forward. Follow us here for any future clinics, which we will post as events on our page.

We always offer house/farm calls for both our small and large animal clients, so give us a call at 314-722-5225 if you’d like to schedule an appointment. 😊

Personally, I want to say thank you to the clients who have been so supportive of me, checking in on me, and assuming the best of me during times I was struggling. Your kind words, patience, and care for me as a human being first and foremost has meant so much to me. 🩵

- Dr. Ford

09/23/2026

Today, the world is a little darker...

On 9/21/26, we heard the tragic news that a beloved veterinarian took her life.

Cierra graduated from Texas A&M this past May, and joined an equine internship in Ocala, Florida. 4 short months...

Cierra was a friend. She was brilliant. She truly was "one of a kind." Our families are close. We showed horses together.

I post this today, to remind everyone to be KIND. Leadership is such an integral role.

is a group committed to supporting mental health of veterinarians. It stands for "Not One More Vet." It was created because the su***de rate in our profession is at an all time high. The pressures we endure on the daily are often unfathomable to many. The choices we have to make, the sleepless nights thinking "what if," the heart break.
We are only human at the end of the day. But, I promise, we do our best.

Today, someone lost a child. A child whose dream was to do nothing more than to help. A dream she devoted her entire life to.

We have to remember to support each other. To be kind. To be compassionate. Cierra was all of these things and more.

Today, we mourn the loss of such a beautiful soul. Today, we take a moment and think about the impact we make on others. Today, we take the day to remember Cierra.

To my clients and friends, THANK YOU. Thank you for the continued support. The support for balance of a wife / mom / veterinarian. God has blessed me with a village that supports me as a person first, and that is so rare in our profession these days.

Cierra, watch over all of my patients in heaven. I promise to forever be an advocate for good leadership and good mentorship.

09/11/2026

Working dogs save lives 🖤

Today on the anniversary of 9/11, we remember those who were lost and their legacies that live on...including the canine heroes at Ground Zero, their handlers and veterinary teams.

09/10/2026

The field of vet med has a very high rate of su***de within our profession. This is your reminder to be kind, patient, and respectful of time and boundaries with those caring for your animals. Your veterinary teams are doing the best they can while facing high rates of burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health issues due to the nature of our jobs.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

If you’re here against all odds, if you’ve survived your darkest days, if you’ve made plans, then changed them, then tried them, and then survived them, we hope you know we’re glad you’re here.

If you know the weight of grief, if you know the pain of funerals and phone calls, and hope seemingly lost, if you know the confusion, the guilt, the anger that persists, we hope you know we see you today.

If you’re wondering if life will always feel this way, if you’re thinking about leaving, if you’re not sure if tomorrow is possible for you, we hope you know that your story is still worth writing.

No matter what you’re bringing to the table today, please know that you are not a burden.

There is love for you here. There is hope for you here. There is help for you here.

If you’re looking for ways to take action and get involved, we’re in the midst of one of our biggest campaigns to raise funds for our Treatment & Recovery Programs that break down financial barriers to care. Your passion matters, and you can make a difference. Learn more at twloha.com/Su***dePrevention.

09/10/2026

🩵

Sometimes, simply being there can make the difference between someone feeling alone and someone feeling seen.

08/29/2026

Dr. Jamie Pribyl, DVM, professional services veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim says approximately 40% of equine veterinarians in the United States are over the age of 50, heading toward retirement age. Just over 5% of veterinary graduates go on to practice as equine veterinarians.

“That is a really small number,” Pribyl said. “And then, of those 5% that go into equine practice, 50% of them will leave that equine practice within the first five years. The primary reasons are due to burnout from the demands of the profession and personal struggles due to lower starting salaries in equine practice compared to other areas of veterinary medicine.”

Issues contributing to burnout include exponentially growing student debt — which Pribyl says is not something a horse owner can do anything about — unfavorable working hours and conditions compared to small-animal colleagues and non-veterinary careers, as well as lack of work-life balance.

Read more here: https://bhnmag.co/good-client

08/11/2026

It’s that time of the year to remind everyone that it is VERY dangerous to take your dogs outside for extended periods of time, whether it be for social events, exercise, or errands.

Heat stroke can also happen in minutes, however. And if you think leaving them in the car with the A/C running is safe, it’s not. The first heat stroke I saw was a dog in this situation where unfortunately the car died, which lead to the dog dying too. It was heartbreaking for all involved. I share this just to show how risky it is to even take that chance.

It’s a common misconception that heat stroke only happens when it is extremely hot out as it can happen even at 80°, especially if it is humid out, or if a dog has no shade or water. There is an increased risk of heat stroke in obese dogs, as well as brachycephalic—or short-nosed—breeds (Frenchies, Bulldogs, Bostons, Shih Tzus, Pugs, and even Boxers). Dogs with laryngeal paralysis, collapsing tracheas, or heart disease are also at a higher risk of complications with heat stroke.

Signs of overheating to watch for:
• Red or purple gums
• Glassy eyes
• Excessive saliva
• Stumbling
• Weakness/lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Dribbling urine
• Excessive panting
• Body temp of 105°+
• Collapse
• Seizures

If you see any of these signs, immediately get your dog inside to A/C, wet them with cool water, then place them directly in front of the car’s A/C fan on high, and drive them to your nearest emergency vet ASAP.

Sharing this info with other pet owners could make all the difference in life or death. We all need to watch out for each other’s furry family members—if you see someone’s pet showing these signs, let them know. If you see a dog trapped in a hot car, call emergency services and help take action.

08/07/2026

Spay and neuter saves lives!

When we talk about shelter overcrowding, we often focus on the animals already waiting for homes. But part of the solution happens long before a pet ever reaches a shelter.

Every accidental litter prevented means fewer animals competing for limited homes, foster families, rescue resources, and shelter space.

Spay/neuter is more than a routine veterinary procedure. It's prevention, and prevention helps change what comes next.

Fewer accidental litters. Fewer homeless pets. More room for the animals who already need us.

08/07/2026

Patient Progress Pics 📷

Do you know that veterinarians can use part of the amniotic sac that protects a foal during pregnancy as a graft for wound healing in horses? The amnion is collected and processed after birth with an antiseptic, then stored for future use as an allograft on other patients. Fun fact: another mare and foal of this owner’s were the donors for this mare’s wound!

To track the progress over 15 days, start at the top before first application, then move left to right for the results of subsequent bandage changes by our vet team and the dedicated owner. 🩹

Both bottom pics were taken after trimming back granulation tissue at the previous visit, which you can see greatly improved skin contracture over the wound too! New skin cells use the amnion as a lattice to creep inwards over the defect from the healthier edges.

On top of being affordable, the amnion keeps the wound protected, provides tissue growth factors, and helps prevent exuberant granulation tissue (aka proud flesh) to accelerate healing. ⏩️

Ask us any questions about the amnion allografts we use at EponaVet in the comments below, and give us your best guess as to what could’ve cause this gnarly wound on this horse’s heel! 👀