Large Animal Clinic

Roundup

March/April 2025

Large Animal Veterinary Technician Holds Rare Credential

Sarah Blasczynski, BS, RVT, VTS, has been a veterinary technician at UC Davis for more than 10 years. The UC Davis Animal Science alumna is part of the 1% of veterinary technicians nationwide who hold a VTS credential. The credential represents many years of hard work for Blasczynski. She started in the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service, but along the way she was promoted to supervisor, and now is manager of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery, Equine Surgery and Lameness, Equine Integrative Sports Medicine, Livestock Herd Health and Reproduction, and Farrier Services. 

UC Davis Welcomes New Equine Surgeons

The Large Animal Clinic recently welcomed three new equine surgeons to the faculty. The Equine Surgical Emergency and Critical Care Service welcomed Dr. Sandra Valdez as a clinical professor. Dr. Valdez brings a wealth of experience from around the world as an equine veterinarian and surgeon for the past 30 years. The Equine Surgery and Lameness Service welcomed Dr. Carter Judy as a clinical professor and Dr. Heidi Reesink as a professor. Dr. Judy joins us following more than 20 years in private practice, and Dr. Reesink recently served as a faculty member at Cornell University.

School Maintains #1 National Ranking

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine maintained its #1 ranking in the U.S. according to the two most widely recognized university ranking systems. The QS World University Rankings listed the school as #1 in the U.S. (#2 in the world), and the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of professional and graduate programs placed the veterinary school at #1. UC Davis has maintained the #1 national ranking in both polls for many years.

Large Animal Clinic Hosts Equine Health Symposium

The nearly 200 participants at the UC Davis Equine Health Symposium clearly agreed on one thing – they learned a lot. For the second year, the event featured tracks in English and Spanish covering topics ranging from equine reproduction to preventive care. It brought equine enthusiasts representing a wide range of age groups and experience levels together for lectures and hands-on learning opportunities.

Large Animal Disease Updates for California

The California Department of Food & Agriculture has issued three updates recently on large animal diseases in California. Equine Infectious Anemia has been confirmed in San Joaquin and San Bernardino Counties, and horses remain under quarantine. Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy has been confirmed in horses in multiple counties, most recently Santa Barbara and Alameda Counties. Quarantines are in place for exposed horses. Finally, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza crisis continues to affect California livestock. Thankfully, no cases have been confirmed in California north of I-80.

Horse Report

The Fall 2024 issue of the Horse Report is available. The award-winning newsletter from the UC Davis Center for Equine Health (CEH) is published quarterly with the most current information on a variety of equine health issues.

This latest issues contains articles on:

• Director's Message from Dr. Carrie Finno
• Equine Cancer Treatments At UC Davis
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Cedar's Year-Long Sarcoid Saga
• Equine Melanoma: The Gray Areas
• 10 Things You Might Not Know About Equine Cancer
• CEH Teaching Herd Horses

Read them all and subscribe to the Horse Report to receive this news every quarter.

Synergy

Read Additional News from the School of Veterinary Medicine

Discover Synergy, the School of Veterinary Medicine's biannual magazine highlighting the latest clinical advances, research updates, and other school news. The latest issue focuses on the critical role of fundamental research.

Reach the Large Animal Clinic:

530-752-0290 (clients)

530-752-4050 (referring veterinarians)