Veterinary Corner

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

Most equine owners know that a negative Coggins test is a document required to be able to transport their animal across state lines, enter them in a competitive event, or board at someone's barn. But what does the phrase "negative Coggins test" actually mean?

A "Coggins" is a blood test that can only be performed by USDA-approved laboratories and checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the blood. Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that produces a persistent infection among equids nearly worldwide. Transmission through blood transfusions or contaminated needles/syringes, surgical instruments or dental equipment is most common. The virus can also be transmitted through vectors via fly bite.

The clinical signs of disease can vary dramatically from an acute infection to an inapparent form, but what is important to know is that it produces a persistent infection. Once an animal tests positive for EIA it becomes a lifelong source of disease transmission, so the owner can only choose between quarantine for life or humane euthanasia to ensure that large outbreaks of the disease don’t occur. There is no vaccine or treatment for EIA.

Take-home message: While a Coggins test is a necessary travel document, don’t forget that it's also first and foremost a way to identify and remove EIA carriers to keep the disease under control.

To learn more about EIA, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/resource/equine-infectious-anemia/ or visit the Equine Disease Communication Center's website: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-infectious-anemia

05/25/2026

We hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day , and remembering those who sacrificed to give us the freedoms we enjoy.

We proudly honor our nations heroes this Memorial Day

05/21/2026

“Hey Doc, my cousin’s uncle’s sister’s mom’s dog got them Heartworms… I give mine a pill every month, but could they get it from her dog?” 🦟🐶🐱

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting both dogs and cats. It is caused by long, spaghetti-like worms that live in the heart, lungs, and surrounding blood vessels.

The good news? Pets cannot spread heartworms directly to each other. Heartworms are ONLY spread through mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it picks up microscopic larvae and then deposits them into another pet during its next bite. Over several months, those larvae develop into adult worms that can cause severe damage to the heart and lungs. Because mosquitoes can easily enter homes, both indoor and outdoor pets are at risk.

In dogs, heartworms can grow to full size and exist in large numbers, leading to:• Coughing• Exercise intolerance• Weight loss• Heart failure and severe lung disease

Cats are not natural hosts, so they usually have fewer worms, but even ONE worm can cause:• Coughing• Vomiting• Difficulty breathing• Sudden collapse or death in severe cases

Prevention is the safest and most effective protection. Monthly oral or topical preventives, as well as long-acting injectable options for dogs, work by killing immature larvae before they become adult worms. We recommend year-round prevention for ALL pets, regardless of lifestyle.

Treatment for dogs is available, but it is lengthy, expensive, and requires strict exercise restriction. Unfortunately, there is NO approved treatment to remove adult heartworms in cats, making prevention especially important for them.

Heartworm disease is common, dangerous, and almost entirely preventable. Keeping your pets on routine prevention is one of the best ways to protect their long-term heart and lung health. ❤️

Schedule an appointment today to get your furry companions protected!