Cambridge Country Veterinary Services LLC

23/10/2026

👉 You're gonna want to bookmark this tool and use it all year.

23/10/2026

Deworming is only one piece of the parasite control puzzle. What you do in the barn and pasture matters too. Here are five practices that can help lower your horse’s parasite burden:

🔸 Remove manure from stalls and pastures regularly to cut down on parasite eggs
🔸 Rotate pastures with other species, such as cattle or sheep, to break parasite life cycles
🔸 House horses of similar age and immune status together for easier, targeted management
🔸 Remove bot fly eggs from your horse’s legs and body before they can be swallowed
🔸 Use elevated feeders to keep hay and feed off the ground and away from manure

Pair these habits with a parasite control program tailored to your horse by your veterinarian.

24/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1503381155160312&set=a.618193933679043

13/09/2026

It was only a matter of time - heads up everyone...

On September 9, 2026, the first equine case of New World Screwworm (NWS) as part of the 2026 incursion was detected on a hind limb of a working ranch horse in Presidio County, Texas. NWS is a serious parasite that can infest wounds in horses and other warm-blooded animals. Because the larvae feed on living tissue, even small cuts or sores should be cleaned, protected, and checked closely until they are fully healed.

Horse owners should inspect their horses every day for wounds, swelling, drainage, foul odor, or maggots. Pay close attention to small cuts, surgical sites, the umbilical area of foals, and moist areas such as the lips, nostrils, eyes, and ge***al areas. If you see maggots or anything unusual in a wound, contact your veterinarian right away. Early reporting helps animal health officials respond quickly with eradication tools like sterile fly release in your area.

US Equestrian has protocols in place for licensed competition organizers and participants to reduce the opportunities for the fly to spread. Required steps may include checking horses for wounds when they arrive and continuing to monitor horses during the competition. Finding and reporting suspect cases early helps protect horses and competition grounds from screwworm threats, including infestation and resulting quarantines. Remember that state animal health officials set policy for animals in their state, as well as animals coming in from states or geographic zones with screwworm cases, so you should remain aware of your state’s requirements as well as those of the Federation. You can find USEF protocols and links to state and federal resources at usef.org/screwworm.

We encourage every horse owner to help protect their horses and the broader equine community by practicing good wound care, fly control, and biosecurity. Check horses daily, keep wounds clean and covered as directed by your veterinarian, use veterinarian-recommended fly control products, and limit fly access with physical barriers such as fly masks, sheets, and clean stabling practices when appropriate.

More information on NWS for horse owners and competition managers can be found at usef.org/screwworm.

Questions may be directed to the USEF Equine Health team at [email protected] or to Dr. Katie Flynn at 859-225-6991.

10/09/2026

RECALL ALERT - Fi, of New York, NY, is recalling the supplements for dogs listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella due to an ingredient supplied to Fi’s manufacturer. The manufacturer has suspended production while it investigates. Fi is promptly notifying all affected customers out of an abundance of caution.

The recalled products were distributed directly to consumers and through online retailers Amazon and Chewy.com.

Recalled products can be identified as follows:

Fi Calming supplement for Dogs 180 g
Lot Number: 26118
UPC: 8 50064 80011 1

Fi 8-in-1 Formula supplement for Dogs 180 g
Lot Number: 26159
UPC: 8 50055 11168 4

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/4xjasW7

30/08/2026

24/07/2026

Checking capillary refill time (CRT) and mucous membranes are simple assessments we use during physical exams to help evaluate your horse's circulation, hydration, and overall health.

Give it a try next time you are at the barn. We recommend taking a few moments now and then to check your equine partner’s gums while they are healthy. Learning their normal color, texture, and refill time helps you notice changes early. If you observe marked changes in gum color or a CRT over 2 seconds, contact your veterinarian so potential issues can be addressed.

We’ve put together the following guide, and a Starwood Equine team member would be happy to walk you through the process at your next appointment.

Normal values:
• Gum color: pale pink to pink (think “bubble-gum pink”)
• Gum texture: moist, not dry or tacky
• Capillary refill time: less than 2 seconds

How to check CRT:
1. Lift the upper lip to expose gums above the incisors.
2. Press your thumb or finger on the gum for 1 to 2 seconds until it turns white.
3. Release and count the seconds for color to return.

23/07/2026

Equine asthma is a breathing problem caused by inflammation in the airways. It can range from mild to severe, but across all forms, one thing matters most: reducing dust and irritants in the horse's environment.

What many owners think of as "dust" is more than just visible dirt. It can include bacteria, mold and fungal spores, mites, endotoxins, and other tiny particles that trigger inflammation in the lungs. Some of the worst particles are actually too small to see.

The key is the horse's breathing zone - the air right around the nose. Dust in that area matters much more than dust elsewhere in the barn. Even a stable that looks clean can still have harmful tiny particles in the air.

Common dust and irritant sources can include:
• Hay
• Bedding
• Sweeping or mucking stalls
• Barn blowers
• Round bale feeding
• Very dry, windy conditions
• Pollens or other allergens
• Unusual triggers like nearby manure piles, chemical sprays, chickens, or certain bedding materials

Management often focuses on lowering dust exposure:
• Reconsidering hay and bedding
• Using wood shavings
• Feeding a pelleted diet or hay cubes
• Soaking hay
• Steaming hay correctly
• Considering haylage
• Avoiding round bale feeding in horses prone to severe asthma

Note that medication may help control inflammation or open the airways, but there is no replacement to environmental management. Long-term improvement depends on reducing dust in the horse's environment, especially in the breathing zone.

If you have questions or concerns about your specific equine, contact your veterinarian.

05/07/2026

If you feel hot, your horse feels even hotter.

Horses have a much harder time processing heat and humidity than humans. And among horses, foals usually cannot handle as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day.

Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will also be more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot and humid day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use common sense. And remember: don't push it! If your horse looks tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.