Veterinary Blog for Education, Careers, and Real Vet Life

Welcome to the Vet Candy Blog—your go-to destination for veterinary education, career growth, and real-life insights from the world of animal health.

From free RACE-approved CE courses and clinical updates to NAVLE prep and career advice, our content is designed for veterinarians, vet techs, and students who want to stay informed, inspired, and ahead in their careers.

A young woman with curly hair smiling while looking at her phone in a bright indoor setting.

Latest Veterinary News & Clinical Insights

Dog-killing flatworm discovered in Southern California
My Vet Candy My Vet Candy

Dog-killing flatworm discovered in Southern California

UC Riverside scientists confirm, for the first time, that a potentially fatal dog parasite is present in a portion of the Colorado River that runs through California. 

The parasite, Heterobilharzia americana, is a flatworm commonly referred to as liver fluke. Previously found almost exclusively in Texas and other Gulf Coast states, it has never been reported this far west. The worm can cause canine schistosomiasis, an illness that impacts the liver and intestines of dogs. 

“Dogs can die from this infection, so we are hoping to raise public awareness that it’s there,” said UCR nematology professor Adler Dillman. “If you’re swimming in the Colorado River with them, your pets are in peril.”

After learning about cases of the infection in local dogs, Dillman assembled a research team and headed to Blythe, a border town east of Joshua Tree National Park in Riverside County, where the sick dogs had all spent time swimming in the river. 

Read More

Your Questions, Answered