More than 50% of U.S. horses are exposed to the parasite that causes Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), which is considered the most prevalent cause of neurological disease in horses in the Americas. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team explains what you need to know about this condition so you can reduce your horse’s risk. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis basics EPM is caused by a protozoan parasite called Sarcocystis neurona, which is transmitted by the definitive host, the opossum. Other mammals, such as cats, raccoons, skunks, and armadillos, can be infected by the parasit ..read more

Many horses are affected by uveitis, which is a painful, inflammatory eye disease that can lead to blindness. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team commonly treats equine uveitis, and we provide information about this condition. What is equine uveitis? Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle eye layer between the sclera (i.e., the white part of the eye) and the retina (i.e., the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye). The uvea consists of three components: Iris — The iris is the colored part of the eye. Ciliary body — The ciliary body includes the cilia ..read more

Lyme disease is prevalent in New York and can cause serious health issues for your horse. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team often treats horses affected by this tick-borne disease. We want you to understand equine Lyme disease, so we explain the disease and the measures you can take to decrease your horse’s risk. What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The illness was first recognized in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975 when the local people suffered from debilitating health issues, such as swollen joints, skin rashes, headaches, seve ..read more

If you own camelids, you should be aware of health problems they may experience to ensure they receive appropriate care. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team provides information about common camelid health problems and explains how we address these conditions. Heat stress in camelids Llamas and alpacas evolved in the South American Andes’ high altitudes and are not naturally adapted to prolonged or extreme heat and humidity, which makes them particularly susceptible to heat stress. Camelids at increased risk include those with long, shaggy, poorly groomed coats, late-term pregnant fem ..read more

Have you found a concerning lump or bump on your horse? Skin tumors are common in all equine breeds and ages, but the specific lesion must be identified so the appropriate treatment is provided. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team is therefore providing relevant information about four common equine dermatologic tumors and an explanation of how these lesions are treated. Equine sarcoid The most common tumor identified in horses is the equine sarcoid, which accounts for more than half of all equine skin tumors. These lesions are associated with bovine papillomavirus but need other facto ..read more

Fecal egg counts provide valuable information for determining and designing a parasite control program for horses, small ruminants, and cattle. They can help estimate an animal’s parasite load, demonstrate seasonal changes in pasture infection, determine a dewormer’s effectiveness, and evaluate animals’ genetic differences. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team explains what fecal egg counts involve and why regular testing is so important.  What is a fecal egg count? A fecal egg count evaluates an animal’s manure for worm eggs. The test provides a quantitative assessment, expressed ..read more

Sheep have a narrow safety margin between their copper requirements and toxic levels, which makes them highly susceptible to copper toxicity. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team offers information about this condition and explains how you can protect your flock. Copper metabolism in sheep Copper is a required mineral for all farm animals, including sheep. Copper metabolism is influenced by several factors, including breed, age, health status, other minerals consumed, and feed additives, but down type, medium wool sheep of British or European origin generally are most susceptible to co ..read more

Navicular syndrome is a chronic, progressive condition that causes pain in the heel region and subsequent lameness in horses. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team knows that a navicular syndrome diagnosis is upsetting for horse owners, and we explain the condition and management strategies.  Equine navicular apparatus anatomy To understand navicular syndrome, you first must understand the navicular apparatus, which is composed of five structures: Navicular bone — A small, flattened bone that lies across the back of the horse’s coffin joint Deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) — The ..read more

Ensure you have the right antibiotic for your animals when they need them. Antibiotics are a powerful tool for both animal and human health. They can be used to prevent and treat infections caused by bacteria. However, when antibiotics are used improperly, bacteria can become resistant or unresponsive. This is called antibiotic resistance (AMR). Antibiotics can continue to be effective for prevention and treatment through good stewardship and responsible use. We can keep antibiotics effective through antibiotic stewardship. What is antibiotic stewardship? Responsible stewardship practices ..read more

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases affecting dairy cattle and results in significant economic losses for the global dairy industry every year. Our Leatherstocking Veterinary Services team knows the serious toll mastitis can take on a herd, so we offer information about this disease and explain prevention techniques. Mastitis basics Mastitis causes severe inflammation of the mammary gland and udder tissue and is considered the most common disease that results in dairy industry economic losses, because of reduced yield and poor quality milk. Relevant information includes: Cause — Masti ..read more