Graduating Veterinary Student To Help Fill Nation’s Critical Shortage Of Poultry Veterinarians
According to Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) fourth-year veterinary student Jason Sousa, any part of the veterinary curriculum can be about poultry if you try hard enough. Growing up around cats and dogs, Sousa knew he was going to be a veterinarian by the time he was 6 years old, […]
Treating And Preventing Urinary Stones In Goats
Urinary stones, or solid masses made from minerals in the urine, develop for a variety of reasons and can be an extremely painful experience for humans and pets alike. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent stones from developing, which is especially beneficial for male goats, who commonly experience this condition. Dr. Shannon Reed, a clinical […]
Backyard Chickens Part 2: Maintaining Healthy Birds
After researching, preparing for, and buying healthy chickens, first-time flock owners will need to know all that is involved in keeping their backyard birds healthy. Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, encourages owners to first contact their veterinarian after bringing home their chickens […]
Backyard Chickens Part 1: Preparing To Buy Healthy Birds
After egg prices hit record highs in late 2022 and early 2023, having a flock of backyard chickens to provide a personal supply of eggs can be tempting. Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers tips for designing coops and researching hatcheries before […]
Preparing Your Food Animals To Beat The Cold
When the weather dips into cold and freezing temperatures, especially at night, humans stay cozy by turning on heaters and pulling out extra blankets. Food animals, on the other hand, require special preparation to stay warm and survive cold weather conditions. Dr. Isabelle Louge, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary […]
Ruminating On Grain Overload: Avoiding Rumen Acidosis
Ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats have a unique digestive system that allows them to gain energy from forage such as mature pasture grass and hay. The carbohydrates found in these feeds help to provide ruminants with healthy energy, but did you know that consuming high amounts of certain other types of carbohydrates can be […]
The Cattle Battle: Bovine Respiratory Disease
One of the greatest issues cattle owners face is Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), a complex condition that can affect cattle of any age and breed. In North America, BRD is the leading cause of illness and death in cattle production systems, according to Dr. Matthew Scott, an assistant professor of microbial ecology & infectious disease […]
Keep Your Family Safe From Dangerous E. coli
While many animals—including humans—have harmless strains of E. coli living inside their gastrointestinal tracts, a dangerous form that often makes headlines is E. coli 0157, which can cause serious illness in people. Although E. coli 0157 outbreaks are usually caused by contaminated vegetables, meats, or other foods, these bacteria can also be spread by live […]
Keep Your Bovine Feeling Fine: Pain Management In Cattle
Unlike many animals that vocalize their discomfort, cattle tend to suffer in silence—making it all the more important for an owner to recognize the subtle signs of pain. Whether from age, injury, or illness, early detection of pain is an important step in bringing an animal back to health. Cattle are like most prey species […]
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 […]
