This Little Piggy Had A Healthy, Balanced Diet: Avoiding Pig Obesity
The age-old saying “you are what you eat” is not an exception for our swine friends. Even though pigs are primarily portrayed as round and plump, this may not be the healthiest lifestyle for them. Dr. Evelyn MacKay, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers some […]
Bad To The Bone: Fibrous Osteodystrophy In Large Animals
Horses, camels, llamas, and alpacas have more of a bone to pick with metabolic bone diseases—diseases associated with dietary deficiencies—than many owners realize. Fibrous osteodystrophy, in particular, can have serious consequences if not caught and treated early. Dr. Evelyn MacKay, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences […]
Got Milk? The Ins And Outs Of Dairy Goat Ownership
For the more adventurous pet owner, there are many advantages to owning goats, including companionship, land management by grazing, and milk production. While companionship and grazing come naturally to these critters, potential owners interested in collecting dairy from their goats need to take into consideration additional factors to encourage lactation and ensure that their goat’s […]
A Whole ‘Llama’ Fun: Alpacas And Llamas As Pets
Llamas and alpacas are closely related animals, both hailing from South America. Although they may have an exotic allure, they are commonly kept as companion animals and can make rewarding and unexpected pets for owners with the space and time. Dr. Evelyn MacKay, a clinical assistant professor of food animal medicine and field service at […]
“Herd” Of Miniature Cattle?
Miniature pigs and miniature horses are well-known pets that offer unusual and adorable companionship, but the increasingly common miniature bovine is also making an entrance to the modern homesteading scene. Dr. Evelyn MacKay, a clinical assistant professor of food animal medicine and field service at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, […]
Chew on This: Goats as Pets
Though goats are often associated with an agricultural lifestyle, these animals are being kept as pets more and more frequently. The owner of a pet goat benefits from companionship, the potential for milk production, land management by grazing, and more. Dr. Evelyn Mackay, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine […]
The Stone-Cold Facts of Uroliths in Livestock Animals
Water belly, urinary blockage, stones—uroliths have many names, but their presence in livestock animals is a serious condition. Dr. Evelyn Mackay, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, speaks of the dangers of uroliths and how livestock owners can recognize the causes and effects of these obstructions […]
