Azores Veterinary Practice

Azores Veterinary Practice Azores Veterinary Practice main focus is Bovine Veterinary Medicine with emphasis in Dairy Cattle.
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* We offer 24/7 Emergency Services for both Bovine and Small Ruminant Species.
* We specialize in Bovine Reproduction, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Herd Management, Diagnosis and Treatment, etc.
* We offer ultrasound diagnostics for Reproductive Services.
*We now offer Beef Cattle services that include: Palpation, Emergencies, Vaccinations, Bull Testing, etc
* We offer in house vaccination for pets (includes rabies vaccine and certificate).
* We offer Small Ruminant Services.

08/01/2026

🐮 Twin Dystocia in Cattle: When Two Calves Create One Big Challenge

In this case we had the first calf coming breech. A breech dystocia occurs when a calf is presented posteriorly with both hind limbs retained beneath the body, so only the tail and rump enter the birth canal. Because the hind legs are flexed forward at the hips, the calf cannot be delivered until the limbs are carefully extended into the birth canal. Breech presentations are among the more difficult obstetrical emergencies in cattle and often require prompt veterinary intervention to reduce the risk of trauma, prolonged labor, fetal death, and injury to the cow.

Twin pregnancies may seem like a blessing, but in cattle they often come with a much higher risk of dystocia (difficult calving).

When both calves attempt to enter the birth canal at the same time, abnormal presentations are common. You may encounter:
• Two heads presenting together
• Mixed forelimbs from different calves
• One calf backwards while the other is forward
• Limbs intertwined, making delivery nearly impossible without assistance

⚠️ Risks to the Cow
• Prolonged labor
• Severe trauma to the uterus and birth canal
• Vaginal and uterine tears
• Uterine prolapse
• Retained placenta
• Metritis
• Reduced future fertility
• Increased risk of emergency C-section or fetotomy

⚠️ Risks to the Calves
• Oxygen deprivation during prolonged labor
• Fractures or trauma during extraction
• Weak calf syndrome
• Stillbirth or neonatal death

🔍 Early recognition is critical. If labor is not progressing normally, a prompt veterinary examination can identify a twin dystocia before irreversible damage occurs.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we are equipped to manage even the most challenging obstetrical cases, helping maximize the chances of saving both the cow and her calves while protecting the cow’s future reproductive performance.

📞 Difficult calving? Don’t wait—early intervention saves lives.

FoodAnimalVet LargeAnimalVet CalvingSeason CowHealth Reproduction VeterinaryMedicine FarmLife Livestock HerdHealth AzoresVeterinar

🐄 Neospora caninum: The Hidden Cause of Reproductive Losses in Dairy HerdsNot all abortions in dairy cattle are caused b...
08/01/2026

🐄 Neospora caninum: The Hidden Cause of Reproductive Losses in Dairy Herds

Not all abortions in dairy cattle are caused by bacteria or nutrition. One of the most important infectious causes of abortion worldwide is Neospora caninum.

This protozoan parasite can have a major economic impact by causing:
• 💔 Abortions, most commonly during the second trimester
• 📉 Reduced reproductive performance
• 🐄 Birth of persistently infected calves that appear healthy but can transmit the infection to future generations
• 💸 Increased replacement costs and decreased herd profitability

🐕 What do dogs have to do with it?

Dogs, coyotes, and other canids are the definitive hosts of Neospora caninum. They can shed infective oocysts in their f***s after consuming infected tissues such as placentas, aborted fetuses, or raw meat. Cattle become infected when they ingest feed or water contaminated with these oocysts.

🔍 How can you reduce the risk?
✅ Prevent dogs from accessing feed storage areas.
✅ Never allow dogs to consume placentas, aborted fetuses, or dead calves.
✅ Dispose of reproductive tissues promptly and properly.
✅ Control stray dog populations around the farm.
✅ Work with your veterinarian to investigate abortion storms and implement a reproductive health monitoring program.

Early diagnosis and good biosecurity are key to protecting your herd from reproductive losses. If you’re experiencing abortions or fertility issues, don’t overlook Neospora caninum as a possible cause.

📞 Contact Azores Veterinary Practice to discuss herd diagnostics, reproductive investigations, and biosecurity strategies that help keep your dairy operation productive.

HerdHealth ReproductiveHealth CattleReproduction DairyManagement Biosecurity FarmDogs FoodAnimalVet LargeAnimalVet DairyProduction AzoresVeterinaryPractice

07/31/2026

🐄 Vaginal Lacerations During Calving: More Than Just a Tear

Difficult calvings (dystocia), oversized calves, improper use of obstetrical equipment, or excessive traction can result in vaginal lacerations. While some tears appear minor at first, they can have lasting consequences if they go unnoticed or untreated.

⚠️ Potential complications include:
• Infection and vaginal abscess formation
• Chronic inflammation
• Scar tissue (fibrosis) within the vaginal canal
• Pain during future breeding or calving
• Reduced fertility and lower conception rates
• Increased risk of culling due to reproductive failure

As scar tissue develops, the reproductive tract loses its normal elasticity, making natural breeding, artificial insemination, and even future deliveries more difficult. These hidden injuries can silently impact herd reproductive performance for years.

✅ Early veterinary examination after a difficult calving is essential. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce complications, preserve fertility, and improve the cow’s long-term reproductive health.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we are committed to protecting both the health and reproductive future of your herd. If a cow has experienced a difficult calving, don’t wait—have her examined before small injuries become lifelong problems.

📞 Healthy cows. Better fertility. Stronger herds.

Dystocia CalvingSeason CowHealth Reproduction BovineReproduction ArtificialInsemination HerdHealth VeterinaryMedicine LargeAnimalVet FarmLife CattleProducer LivestockHealth FertilityMatters PreventiveMedicine HealthyHerd

07/27/2026

🐄 Pyometra in Cattle: A Silent Threat to Fertility 🩺

A cow that isn’t cycling after breeding or calving may be hiding a condition called pyometra—an accumulation of pus within the uterus caused by a persistent corpus luteum (CL) that keeps the cervix closed.

🔍 Common Causes:
• Uterine infection after calving
• Retained fetal membranes
• Dystocia (difficult calving)
• Twin births
• Early embryonic death with uterine contamination

⚠️ Clinical Signs:
• Failure to return to estrus
• Infertility or extended days open
• Enlarged uterus containing thick purulent fluid
• Persistent corpus luteum on the o***y
• Usually no systemic illness—the cow often appears healthy

🩺 Diagnosis:
✔️ Re**al palpation
✔️ Ultrasonography
✔️ Reproductive examination by your veterinarian

💉 Treatment:
• Prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) to lyse the corpus luteum and allow the uterus to empty
• Follow-up examinations to ensure complete resolution
• Address underlying postpartum reproductive issues to prevent recurrence

🌱 Prevention Starts at Calving
Good calving management, prompt treatment of retained placentas and metritis, proper nutrition, and routine reproductive herd checks are the best ways to reduce the risk of pyometra and keep your herd fertile.

📞 If cows in your herd are not cycling or have poor reproductive performance, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment can get them back on track.

CowHealth HerdHealth LargeAnimalVet FoodAnimalMedicine VeterinaryMedicine CattleManagement ReproductiveHealth FarmVet Livestock HerdFertility

07/23/2026

👁️🐄 Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) in Cattle: More Than Just “Cancer Eye”

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common tumors affecting cattle. While many producers recognize “cancer eye,” SCC can also develop on the v***a, especially in areas with little pigmentation and prolonged sun exposure.

🔎 Common Risk Factors:
☀️ Excessive UV (sun) exposure
🤍 Non-pigmented skin around the eyes or v***a
🐄 Older cattle
🧬 Genetic predisposition in some breeds

👁️ Ocular SCC (Cancer Eye):
• Begins as a small plaque or wart-like lesion on the eyelid, third eyelid, or eyeball.
• Can progress to a painful, ulcerated mass.
• May impair vision and eventually invade surrounding tissues if left untreated.

🌸 Vulvar SCC:
• Appears as a raised, ulcerated, or bleeding mass on the v***a.
• May cause discomfort, discharge, or difficulty breeding.
• Often goes unnoticed until it has significantly progressed.

⚠️ Why Early Detection Matters
Early diagnosis dramatically improves treatment success. Small lesions can often be removed surgically or treated before they become invasive. Advanced cases may require more aggressive surgery and can negatively impact animal welfare and productivity.

✅ Prevention Tips
• Select for pigmentation around the eyes and v***a when possible.
• Monitor cattle regularly, especially older animals.
• Have suspicious growths evaluated promptly by your veterinarian.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we’re committed to helping producers detect and manage diseases early to keep their herds healthy and productive.

📞 If you notice any abnormal growths around the eyes or v***a, don’t wait—contact your veterinarian for an evaluation.

FoodAnimalMedicine CattleHealth LargeAnimalVet LivestockHealth BovineMedicine VeterinaryMedicine EarlyDetection AnimalHealth

📣 Calling All Veterinary Students! 🩺🐄🐑🐐Looking to gain hands-on experience in food animal medicine? We’d love to have yo...
07/22/2026

📣 Calling All Veterinary Students! 🩺🐄🐑🐐

Looking to gain hands-on experience in food animal medicine? We’d love to have you join us!

Our Student Volunteer Calendar is now available on our website, making it easy to find upcoming opportunities to shadow our veterinarians and experience life in a busy food animal practice.

Whether you’re interested in:
🐄 Dairy and beef cattle medicine
🐑 Sheep and goat medicine
🩺 Surgery and herd health
🧬 Advanced reproductive technologies
🚑 Emergency field calls

…there’s an opportunity waiting for you!

Visit our website, check the volunteer calendar, and sign up for a date that fits your schedule. We look forward to helping you build your skills, confidence, and passion for food animal veterinary medicine.

🌐 Visit our website today and reserve your spot!

BovineMedicine SmallRuminantMedicine VeterinaryEducation FutureVeterinarian ShadowProgram VeterinaryExperience VetLife DairyVeterinarian LivestockVeterinarian Mentorship HandsOnLearning

07/21/2026

🚨 Dystocia in Cattle: When Calving Doesn’t Go as Planned 🐄🩺

Dystocia, or difficult calving, is one of the most common emergencies in cattle production. Recognizing the signs early and seeking veterinary assistance can make the difference between saving both the cow and her calf.

The most common causes of dystocia include:
🔹 Oversized calves (fetal-pelvic disproportion)
🔹 Abnormal calf presentation, position, or posture
🔹 Twins
🔹 Incomplete cervical dilation
🔹 Uterine inertia (poor contractions)
🔹 Pelvic abnormalities or a small pelvic canal, especially in heifers
🔹 Congenital fetal abnormalities

Potential complications if not addressed promptly:
⚠️ Calf death or severe oxygen deprivation
⚠️ Uterine tears or rupture
⚠️ Vaginal trauma
⚠️ Retained placenta
⚠️ Metritis (uterine infection)
⚠️ Nerve damage resulting in a down cow
⚠️ Reduced fertility and delayed return to breeding
⚠️ Loss of the cow in severe cases

⏰ Know when to call your veterinarian!
If a cow has been actively straining for 30–60 minutes without progress, or if you notice an abnormal presentation, don’t wait. Early intervention improves outcomes for both the dam and the calf.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we’re available to provide emergency obstetrical care, including assisted deliveries and cesarean sections, helping protect the health and productivity of your herd.

📞 When in doubt, call early—because every minute counts.

BeefCattle DairyCattle CalfHealth CowHealth VeterinaryMedicine FarmLife Livestock HerdHealth LargeAnimalVet EmergencyVeterinaryCare CalvingManagement

A Farewell to Dr. Tadic 🇨🇦🐄This is a bittersweet milestone as Dr. Tadic palpates his last cow in California before begin...
07/06/2026

A Farewell to Dr. Tadic 🇨🇦🐄

This is a bittersweet milestone as Dr. Tadic palpates his last cow in California before beginning his journey back home to Canada.

For the past two years, he has been an invaluable part of the Azores Veterinary Practice family. His dedication to our producers, compassion for every animal, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact on our team, our clients, and the agricultural community we proudly serve.

Whether it was long days in the dairy, emergency farm calls, or simply sharing a smile after a challenging case, Dr. Tadic approached every day with professionalism, kindness, and an unwavering work ethic. He didn’t just care for animals—he built relationships, earned trust, and became a true friend to so many.

While we’re sad to see him go, we’re excited for the next chapter awaiting him back home in Canada. We know he will continue making a difference wherever his veterinary journey takes him.

Thank you, Dr. Tadic, for your hard work, your friendship, and the countless lives you’ve touched over the last two years. Once an Azores veterinarian, always part of the Azores family.

We wish you safe travels, continued success, and all the best in this new adventure. The barns of California won’t be quite the same without you.

Thank you for everything, Dr. Tadic. You’ll always have a home at Azores Veterinary Practice. ❤️🐄

VeterinaryMedicine CaliforniaDairies NewBeginnings SafeTravels OnceAzoresAlwaysAzores

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸Today we celebrate 250 years of freedom, resilience, innovation, and opportunity. As...
07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate 250 years of freedom, resilience, innovation, and opportunity. As we honor the birth of our nation, we are incredibly grateful for the privilege of living and serving in a country where hard work, dedication, and compassion can make a difference every single day.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we are thankful for the farmers, ranchers, livestock producers, and agricultural communities who work tirelessly to feed our nation. It is an honor to care for the animals that help sustain America and to stand alongside the families whose commitment keeps this country strong.

The American spirit is built on perseverance, faith, community, and service—values we strive to reflect every day in our practice.

As fireworks light up the sky tonight, we celebrate not only our nation’s remarkable history but also the people who continue to build its future.

Happy Independence Day, and Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

“May we always cherish the freedoms we’ve inherited, honor those who made them possible, and continue working together to build an even brighter future.”

LandOfTheFree HomeOfTheBrave AmericanAgriculture FarmLife VeterinaryMedicine FoodAnimalVeterinarian LivestockHealth AzoresVeterinaryPractice ProudToServe GodBlessAmerica 🇺🇸

06/17/2026

🐄 More Than Just a Pregnancy Check 🩺

This cow was presented during a routine herd check for pregnancy confirmation at approximately 105 days carried calf. During the ultrasound exam, we identified multiple uterine masses while also confirming an ongoing pregnancy.

Cases like this highlight the value of ultrasound in cattle medicine. Ultrasound is not only a tool for pregnancy diagnosis—it can also help identify abnormalities that may otherwise go unnoticed and provide valuable information for making herd management decisions.

🔬 In this case, the findings were consistent with lymphosarcoma, a condition that can be associated with Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV).

BLV is one of the most common infectious diseases in cattle worldwide. While many infected animals never show clinical signs, a small percentage can develop lymphosarcoma affecting organs such as lymph nodes, the uterus, heart, abomasum, and spinal cord.

✅ Early detection and good biosecurity practices remain key components of herd health management.

At Azores Veterinary Practice, we’re committed to helping producers protect herd health through routine monitoring, diagnostics, and preventive medicine.

📞 Contact us to learn more about herd health programs, ultrasound diagnostics, and BLV testing.

BeefVet HerdHealth CattleHealth VeterinaryMedicine FoodAnimalMedicine Ultrasound PregnancyCheck DairyCattle BeefCattle LivestockHealth FarmVet 🐄🩺🔬

Address

11910 Youngstown Road
Turlock, CA
95363

Telephone

+12092457477

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