Cattle carry the bacteria Mannheimia haemolytica in their upper respiratory tract with no signs of illness, but it can cause bovine shipping fever/respiratory disease, also called fibrinous bronchopneumonia, particularly in calves that are weaned, mixed with unfamiliar animals at places like auctions, hauled and enter feedlots for the first time.  |  File photo

Opportunistic microbes can use underlying conditions

Infectious diseases occur when something tips the balance of the complex interactions between the host, pathogen and their environment. In terms of microscopic pathogens, the main ones include viruses, bacteria and fungi. These pathogens are often categorized into two groups based on fundamental characteristics: primary pathogens and opportunistic pathogens. Understanding these groups is a key […] Read more


The most common form of the Prototheca infection occurs on dairy farms, where the algae can spread between cows, including through contaminated milking equipment.  |  File photo

This weird algae can cause severe infections in animals

Among the more weird and wonderful pathogens that infect animals are the poorly understood algae known as Prototheca (pronounced proto-thee-ca). At about 20 micrometres in diameter (about half the width of a human hair), these are tiny beings. Related to green algae, Prototheca have lost their chlorophyll and thus have no ability to produce energy […] Read more

Samples of bat guano from the southeastern portion of the province tested positive for the fungus. Similar guano-sampling efforts led to the identification of the fungus in several areas of Saskatchewan in 2021. | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service photo

Deadly fungus threatens bat population as it reaches Alberta

The fungus that causes a deadly infection called white nose syndrome in wild bats has been detected in Alberta for the first time this winter. Samples of bat guano from the southeastern portion of the province tested positive for the fungus. Similar guano-sampling efforts led to the identification of the fungus in several areas of […] Read more

Is there a place for psychedelics in animal health care?  |  Reuters photo

Future potential of psychedelics in animals

Headlines about psychedelics seem to be everywhere these days. There is even a Netflix documentary out called How to Change Your Mind. Growing research suggests that psychedelic substances could treat a variety of intractable and challenging mental health conditions in people, such as severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. For individuals with […] Read more



Seizures are particularly common in young foals and can occur due to a variety of underlying causes.  |  File photo

Seizures in horses often related to underlying disease

Seizures are defined as changes in behaviour and consciousness that result from random, uncontrolled and abnormal electrical brain activity. This atypical electrical brain activity can be restricted to a specific area of the brain causing a focal seizure. If it affects most of the brain tissue, it causes a generalized seizure. Most familiar are the […] Read more