Another year coming to an end.... where has 2025 gone!

First we want to say thank you to our staff and clients, for enduring the change in ownership! It has been quite the adventure for us in switching over accounts that have been held by the Brockways for 50 years... Luckily they have been gracious enough to return our bills to us.

We also need to say a huge thank you to all of the local businesses that have helped us with all the things as we took over ownership and tackled updates and repairs. It makes life so much easier when you have a community helping you succeed!

As we head through holidays, here are few pet and livestock updates for the season.

For our pets, make sure were are keeping them safe over the holidays. Fatty foods and bones are very hard on their digestive systems. Meats and grease can cause life-threatening pancreatitis and bones can cause obstructions. Other foods like certain fruits and sweets are also bad for your pets, including raisins/grapes, onions, mushrooms, chocolate, alcohol, and some sugar free foods.

Other safety hazards are associated with decorations and trees. Cats are notorious for liking string, tinsel and ornaments which can cause blockages. Poinsettias can also cause GI symptoms in your pets, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.

Boarding pets for the holidays. Make sure you vaccines are current!!! All kennels in the area require: Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella. Some also require Canine Influenza. Vaccines need 2 weeks for a full immune response. Please plan ahead for travel needs.

For our horses, there has recently been a EHM Outbreak ( Equine Herpesvirus 1- Myeloencephalopathy). EHV causes respiratory, reproductive and rarely potentially fatal neurologic infection. We recommend continuing to avoid unnecessary travel and boostering vaccine (if not vaccinated in the past three months). If travel must happen, quarantine for 3 weeks after travel, taking regular temperatures and monitoring for symptoms.

For our sheep and goats, lambing and kidding has either already began or just around the corner. Ultrasound can be a useful tool as it can help diagnosis pregnancy, and if timing is appropriate can help identify the females with multiple fetuses. Ideal timing for ultrasound is 45-65 days post breeding. Identifying the females with triplets or quadruplets is helpful as these does/ewes are at higher risk for pregnancy toxemia late in pregnancy.

For our cattle, we are still ultrasounding and vaccinating some cow herds. Most of these are wrapping up in the next few weeks. Well vaccinated and well fed cows produce strong calves and high quality colostrum. Cows should be at a body condition score 6/9 going into calving (this means slightly over-conditioned).

Many of the feedlots have already filled back up for the fall. With the changes in weather, we are seeing quite a bit of respiratory disease. We are always happy to send in diagnostics to better help with treatment plans. These results can help us identify the pathogens and modify vaccination & treatment protocols in the future. For those that use implant programs, be sure you re-implant appropriately to maximize profit.

Swine producers, grabbing some data off Swine Health Information Center. PRRS has continued to increase in positivity in tests ran. PEDV has also increased, while IAV (Swine Influenza A) has decreased.

Happy Holidays to all! Wishing safe travels, good health, and prosperous New Year!!!