Of all farm animals, sheep are the most susceptible to copper poisoning. This essential trace mineral is important for the production and maintenance of tissues, including bone, iron absorption, enzymes and red blood cell formation. Copper is essential for life, but the window between deficiency and toxicity is narrow. The element is problematic in Western […] Read more
Jamie Rothenburger, DVM
Stories by Jamie Rothenburger, DVM
Neutering dogs at home inhumane
The Saskatchewan SPCA re-cently sounded the alarm over the ongoing practice of home-neutering dogs. Five cases were reported this year in which owners applied elastrator bands designed for castrating calves to the scrotum of male dogs. Elastrator bands squeeze the base of the scrotum, reducing the blood flow to the scrotum and testes, causing the […] Read more
Bubonic plague can be deadly
There is evidence to suggest that plague is circulating in the southwestern Prairies, British Columbia, North Dakota and Montana. A study in 1995 tested 240 dogs and 242 cats in rural areas surrounding four provincial parks for antibodies against the bacteria, which is an indicator of exposure. Researchers found that 10 percent of dogs and […] Read more
Poor horse dental care causes weight loss, shortens life
Horses require routine dental care to maintain function and prevent painful oral diseases. When performance deteriorates, whether it is abnormal head carriage, extreme sidedness or head tossing, look for a physical cause. The mouth is a good place to start. Horse teeth erupt continually throughout their lives. They are literally long in the tooth. The […] Read more
Appropriate samples, information necessary for abortion diagnosis
It’s January and I’m heading to a farm call. When I arrive, the cow is down and already aborted a fetus. The farmer smiles at me and says, “you’d better check to make sure she doesn’t have another one, since you’re already here.” I observe the size of the cow and I’m acutely aware of […] Read more
EHM a serious disease caused by herpes virus
Ninety horses in 10 states and 15 in Alberta were infected with equine herpes virus-1 this spring following an outbreak at a cutting horse show in Ogden, Utah. The herpes virus family causes disease in a large number of animal species, including humans, but most herpes viruses infect only one species. For example, people cannot […] Read more
Determine cause of nosebleeds to avoid horse fatality
A trickle of blood from a horse’s nostril may not seem that concerning, but it can be the first indication of serious medical problems. The most life-threatening condition is a fungal infection of the carotid artery, which is a major vessel that supplies blood to the brain. A brief anatomy lesson is necessary to understand […] Read more
Treat animals as intelligent creatures for successful handling
The relative intelligence of domestic animals is often compared to that of children. A bright border collie may have the mental capacity of a 10-year-old human. Animal behaviour studies have revealed the intelligence of animals to be more complex than once thought. Perception, which is how the brain recognizes what the senses tell it about […] Read more
Latest in cattle pain relief improves animal welfare, bottom line
Meloxicam, marketed under the trade name Metacam, was recently approved for use in calves following dehorning and for treatment of diarrhea. It is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which places it in the same family as the human drugs ibuprophen and acetomenophine. Meloxicam has several advantages over other pain and anti-inflammatory drugs on the […] Read more
Factors to consider in deciding value of rabies vaccination
Several prominent veterinary organizations recommend annual vaccination against rabies for all horses, mules and donkeys. Sixty-nine positive cases of rabies were reported in Western Canada last year. Bats and skunks comprised the majority of animals that tested positive, but Manitoba had one horse. Thirty-eight cases of rabies in horses have been reported in Western Canada […] Read more
