Prairie Mountain Veterinary Services

09/10/2026

West Nile Virus season is here with our first case being diagnosed in Pueblo County. Ensure your horses are up to date on vaccinations. If your horses have not received their core vaccines this year, please reach out to get an appointment scheduled along with their Fall vaccine boosters!

Mosquito Control & Environment
- Eliminate standing water in old tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, and troughs.
- Clean and refresh water troughs and tanks at least once a week.
- Use safe larvicides or mosquito dunks in permanent water sources or stock them with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
- Keep grass, weeds, and brush trimmed short around barns and pastures.

Reducing Exposure
- Keep horses stabled indoors from dusk until dawn when WNV-carrying mosquitoes feed most actively.
- Install screens on barn windows and doors.
- Run large fans inside the barn to create moving air that deters mosquitoes.
- Apply equine-safe insect repellents and use physical barriers like fly sheets and fly masks.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. WNV primarily causes disease in birds, humans, and horses and is transmitted by many different species of mosquitoes. Since 1999, more than 27,600 U.S. horses have been confirmed with WNV neuro-invasive disease with an estimated average case fata...

08/05/2026

We have recently seen an increased number of cases of Habronemiasis (summer sores) in our area. Early intervention is pivotal for quick resolution!

Understanding & Preventing Summer Sores in Horses

Summer sores (Habronemiasis) are a common and frustrating skin condition in horses during the warm weather months. They occur when house or stable flies deposit larvae from stomach worms (Habronema) into existing skin wounds, moist areas, or around eyes and lips, causing an intense allergic reaction and non-healing granulating wounds.

Key Symptoms:
• Non-healing, raised red skin lesions
• "Rice-like" small granules within the sore
• Intense itching, pain,or irritation

Prevention & Management Tips:
1. Fly Control: Implement strict fly management—use fly sheets, masks, boots, and repellent sprays.
2. Wound Care: Promptly clean and cover open cuts or abrasions to prevent flies from accessing them.
3. Manure Management: Frequently clean stalls and pastures to reduce fly breeding grounds.
4. Regular Deworming: Consult with us on an appropriate deworming schedule.

If you suspect your horse has a summer sore, give Prairie Mountain Vet a call! Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a full and speedy recovery.

07/11/2026

Resources for toxic plants to monitor for in the coming months to ensure livestock grazing is safe and to prevent illness.

If you have concerns with any of these plants contact your local veterinarian or CSU Extension Pueblo County Ag and

CSU Extension

https://share.google/RmVTAAEfuIkCVdETI

07/11/2026

Important information on returning livestock to the Aspen Acres burn area.

CSU Extension Pueblo County Ag and Range

Pueblo CART Livestock Division - Community Animal Response Team

Before Returning Livestock

Walk every pasture before turnout. N95 masks are recommended.

Inspect for:
o Damaged fencing.
o Smoldering areas or hot spots. Check heat with the back of hand for temperature. Disk or water heavily burned areas to reduce smoldering.
o Fallen trees and unstable limbs.
o Nails, wire, glass, metal, and other debris.

Check water sources.
o Look for ash and sediment contamination.
o Inspect tanks, ponds, streams, and water systems.
o Provide clean drinking water whenever possible.

Evaluate forage.
o Watch for toxic plants.
o Be aware of nitrate accumulation.
o Toxic plant resource will be provided online for easier access.
o Contact a veterinarian or CSU Extension with concerns.

Introduce livestock gradually.
o Avoid turning hungry animals directly onto burned pasture.
o Offer hay before turnout.

Watch for:
• Reduced appetite or reluctance to graze.
• Depression, weakness, or isolation from the herd.
• Increased breathing rate, coughing, wheezing, or labored breathing.
• Eye irritation, excessive tearing, squinting, or nasal discharge.
• Lameness, reluctance to walk, or injuries to the feet from hot spots or sharp debris.
• Burns on the muzzle, udder, teats, ears, lower legs, or hooves.
• Excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, or signs of oral irritation after grazing.
• Diarrhea, colic, or other digestive upset.
• Sudden deaths or multiple animals becoming sick, which may indicate exposure to toxic plants or contaminated water.

06/10/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

06/10/2026

03/27/2026

It’s that time again when Dr. McDonald heads south to recharge!

UPCOMING VACATION:
4/3-4/12

Dr. McDonald will be out of the country. Please ensure you are prepared for an emergency if one were to arise.
- have a stocked emergency kit (bandage supplies/NSAIDs)
- have the ability to haul to a referral center if needed
- avoid making changes during that time including changes to feed, exercise routine, and medications.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Dr. McDonald and all the behind the scenes crew that help keep him on track!

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season filled with family and laughter.

We look forward to seeing you all in 2026!

12/13/2025

12/08/2025

Last week Dr. McDonald spent 2 days with HDE at CSU learning advanced dental extraction techniques including Intraoral Coronectomies, Tooth Sectioning, and Minimally Invasive Transbuccal Screw Extractions (MITSE).

Stay tuned as we anounce new equipment to help provide your horses with the best oral care possible.

As always do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule an appointment.