Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals - Waco

10/22/2026

Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!

This week, we're taking a moment to recognize Parker Pulliam and Avery Rendon!

Veterinary medicine comes with its share of long days, unexpected challenges, and rewarding moments. Through it all, Avery and Parker have remained dedicated to caring for our patients and putting their hearts into what they do.

It's not just about caring for the horses that come through our doors, but also about getting to know the people who love them, sharing in their victories, and being there during the difficult moments.

We're incredibly grateful for the hard work, compassion, and commitment they've brought to our Waco hospital.

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

One important part of caring for older horses is screening for PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction), a progressive condition in which changes to the pituitary gland lead to abnormal hormone production.

Signs can include delayed shedding, a long or curly hair coat, regional fat deposits, muscle loss along the topline, recurrent infections, laminitis, increased drinking and urination, or changes in energy and attitude. These symptoms can develop gradually and are often mistaken for normal aging.

How do we screen? Baseline ACTH testing measures circulating hormone levels, while TRH stimulation testing evaluates the pituitary's response and can help identify early or borderline cases.

Why does early detection matter? Although PPID cannot be cured, appropriate treatment can help regulate hormone production, improve coat shedding, support muscle condition and immune health, and manage associated complications, including laminitis risk.

Because PPID is progressive, a single normal test doesn't always rule out early disease. Annual screening may be recommended for older horses, and continued monitoring is essential for those already receiving treatment.

Older horses deserve proactive care, not just reactive care.

Talk with your BVEH veterinarian about pituitary screening as part of your horse's routine wellness care.

Tell us about your older horse! How old are they, and what changes have you noticed as they've aged?

10/16/2026

From nutrition and metabolism to hoof health and pain response, understanding these differences is essential to keeping your donkey healthy.

Routine Veterinary Care: Annual wellness exams should include dental and hoof evaluations, body condition scoring, parasite management, and individualized vaccination recommendations.

Nutrition & Metabolic Health: Donkeys are highly efficient at utilizing forage. Rich pasture and high-calorie feeds can increase the risk of obesity, insulin dysregulation, and laminitis. They are also susceptible to hyperlipemia, particularly during periods of illness or reduced appetite.

Dental & Hoof Care: Regular dental evaluations and hoof trimming are essential, even for donkeys that aren't ridden.

Behavior & Well-Being: Donkeys often display subtle signs of pain or illness. Changes in appetite, behavior, weight, or social interaction should never be overlooked.

Senior Wellness: Older donkeys may benefit from routine bloodwork, metabolic screening, and monitoring for age-related conditions.

Hardy doesn't mean low-maintenance. Preventive veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, and early detection play an important role in your donkey's long-term health.

Donkey owners, what's something you've learned about caring for your long-eared companions?

08/12/2026

LET'S TALK ABOUT JOINT HEALTH!

Whether your horse is a weekend trail partner, a competitive athlete, or a senior companion, joint health plays a major role in comfort and longevity.

WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN A JOINT?
A healthy joint contains:
• Smooth articular cartilage
• Synovial fluid for lubrication
• Stable supporting ligaments
• Balanced loading forces

When joints experience repetitive stress, inflammation begins at a microscopic level.
That inflammation can lead to:
• Cartilage breakdown
• Decreased lubrication
• Bone remodeling
• Pain
• Reduced range of motion
This process is progressive — and early stages are often subtle.

EARLY SIGNS OF JOINT DISEASE.
Owners often notice:
• Longer warm-up time
• Mild stiffness when coming out of the stall
• Reluctance to pick up one lead
• Resistance in transitions
• Subtle performance decline
• Mild swelling around a joint
• Changes in attitude under saddle
These are early signals — not “just getting older.”

HOW DO WE EVALUATE JOINTS?
Joint assessment may include:
• Careful lameness examination
• Flexion tests
• Diagnostic nerve or joint blocks
• Radiographs
• Ultrasound
• In some cases, advanced imaging
Diagnosis guides treatment. Guessing does not.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Joint care is not one-size-fits-all.

Depending on severity and use, options may include:
- ORAL SUPORT
• Glucosamine
• Chondroitin sulfate
• Hyaluronic acid
• Omega-3 fatty acids
*These may support cartilage health but are not substitutes for treating active inflammation.

- INJECTABLE THERAPIES
• Intra-articular corticosteroids
• Hyaluronic acid
• Polyacrylamide hydrogel
• Regenerative therapies such as PRP or IRAP
These reduce inflammation and can improve joint environment when appropriately indicated.

- SYSTEMIC THERAPIES
• NSAIDs (when needed and monitored)
• Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan)
• Pentosan products

- REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
• PRP and IRAP target inflammatory pathways and may improve joint biology in select cases.

THE FOUNDATION: Management
Even the best injection won’t overcome poor management.

Joint longevity depends on:
• Appropriate conditioning
• Maintaining ideal body weight
• Balanced farriery
• Thoughtful workload
• Early intervention rather than late-stage rescue
Movement is medicine — but controlled, appropriate movement.

THE BIG PICTURE!
-Joint diseases are common.
-It is manageable.
-But it is progressive.

The earlier we identify inflammation, the more options we have.
Once cartilage is significantly lost, our goal shifts from prevention to management.

Have you noticed subtle stiffness in your horse recently?
Contact BVEH today! Early conversations matter.

08/05/2026

Case Challenge Answer: Brachygnathism (Parrot Mouth)

Thank you to everyone who participated in our latest Case Challenge!

The diagnosis was brachygnathism, commonly referred to as parrot mouth!

By working together, the team at Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals and Brazos Valley Equine Dental Services were able to evaluate this horse’s unique dental needs, develop an appropriate management plan, and help maintain long-term oral health and comfort.

Today, this horse is living a happy, comfortable life out on pasture, demonstrating that with routine dental care and ongoing monitoring, many horses with brachygnathism can continue to thrive!

We hope you enjoyed this Case Challenge! Stay tuned for the next one.

08/01/2026

CASE CHALLENGE!

Put your diagnostic skills to the test in the comments!
We will reveal the answer on Wednesday, August 5th!

07/30/2026

Please note that the Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals - Waco will be closed all day Thursday, July 30th and Friday, July 31st.

Prescriptions refills will still be available. Please
call our office to schedule a pickup time during the closure.

Please be advised that emergency services will not be available during our closure or over the weekend.

We appreciate your patience and understanding. Normal business hours will resume Monday, August 3rd.

Thank you for choosing Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals.

07/28/2026

Happy Birthday, Dr. Ben Buchanan!

Today, we celebrate an exceptional veterinarian who has made an incredible impact on our hospital, our team and the equine community. Whether you have worked alongside Ben, learned from him, or trusted him with the care of your horses, you have likely experienced his dedication, knowledge, and passion for what he does.

We are grateful to have him as a part of the BVEH family and hope today is filled with laughter, great memories, and a well-deserved celebration.

- Be sure to check out the comments for more photos, and if Ben has made an impact on you, we would love for you to share your favorite memory or leave him a birthday wish in the comments below!