At Creekside Vets, our mission is simple: to make trustworthy veterinary knowledge accessible to every pet owner, horse owner, farmer, and animal caregiver.
We publish evidence-based educational resources that help readers better understand animal health, preventive care, nutrition, behavior, common diseases, and veterinary best practices. Our goal is to bridge the gap between complex veterinary medicine and practical, everyday guidance—helping readers make informed decisions while encouraging appropriate professional veterinary care.
Today, Creekside Vets serves as an educational veterinary resource dedicated to improving animal health through accurate, transparent, and responsibly researched content.
Our Veterinary Legacy
Creekside Vets began as Creekside Veterinary Service, a California-based equine and large-animal veterinary practice founded by Dr. Steve Colburn, DVM. What started with a focus on equine medicine gradually expanded to include the care of horses, livestock, dogs, cats, and other companion animals, serving the needs of both animal owners and the local equestrian community.
As the practice grew, so did its team of dedicated veterinary professionals. Alongside Dr. Colburn, Creekside Veterinary Service included:
- Dr. Steve Colburn, DVM – Founder and Owner
- Dr. Tad Bender, DVM – Associate Veterinarian
- Dr. Matt Leshaw, DVM – Associate Veterinarian
- Dr. Marc McCaughan, DVM – Associate Veterinarian
Together, they built a reputation for compassionate care, clinical excellence, and a strong commitment to equine and companion animal health.
Today, Creekside Vets builds upon that legacy by serving as an independent educational veterinary resource. Our mission is to provide pet owners and animal caregivers with trustworthy, evidence-based information that supports informed decisions and promotes responsible animal health and welfare.
Our Editorial Policy
Accuracy is the foundation of everything we publish.
Every article on Creekside Vets is developed with the goal of providing balanced, evidence-based information that readers can understand and trust.
Our editorial principles include:
- Accuracy before speed
- Evidence over opinion
- Clear, reader-friendly language
- Transparency in sourcing
- Regular content reviews and updates
- Responsible animal health education
Our articles are intended to educate,not replace the expertise of a licensed veterinarian. Read our complete Editorial Policy.
How Our Content Is Vetted
Providing reliable veterinary information requires a structured review process.
Every guide published on Creekside Vets follows a consistent editorial workflow designed to maintain medical accuracy and editorial integrity.
Topic Selection
We identify veterinary topics that matter most to pet owners, livestock owners, breeders, equestrians, and animal caregivers.
Evidence-Based Research
Our writers research current veterinary literature, clinical guidelines, textbooks, university publications, and professional veterinary resources before drafting any article.
Content Development
Articles are written in clear, practical language while preserving scientific accuracy and avoiding unnecessary medical jargon.
Veterinary Review
Medical accuracy is an essential part of our editorial process.
Before publication, educational guides designated as medically reviewed undergo evaluation by qualified Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) to help verify factual accuracy, clinical consistency, and alignment with current veterinary knowledge and accepted standards of care.
During the review process, veterinary reviewers assess medical statements, diagnostic information, treatment discussions, preventive care recommendations, nutritional guidance, and other clinically relevant content. When necessary, feedback is incorporated before an article is published or updated.
Our veterinary review process is designed to complement our editorial standards, helping ensure that readers receive educational content that is accurate, evidence-based, and responsibly presented.
To learn more about our veterinary review standards and reviewer credentials, please visit our Veterinary Review Policy page.
Our veterinary review team includes:
- Dr. Muhammad Usman Khan, DVM – Veterinary Medical Reviewer
- Dr. Hussain Niazi, DVM – Veterinary Medical Reviewer
Learn more about their qualifications, professional backgrounds, and editorial responsibilities by visiting their individual reviewer profiles.
Source Verification
Medical claims, treatment recommendations, and clinical information are carefully reviewed against authoritative veterinary references whenever possible.
Ongoing Updates
Veterinary medicine continues to evolve. We periodically review published content and update articles when significant new research, clinical recommendations, or veterinary guidelines become available.
Sources We Trust
Reliable veterinary education begins with reliable evidence.
Whenever appropriate, our research draws upon authoritative veterinary references, including:
- Peer-reviewed veterinary journals
- Veterinary textbooks and clinical reference manuals
- University veterinary teaching hospitals
- Professional veterinary associations
- Government animal health agencies
- Published clinical practice guidelines
- Animal nutrition research
Depending on the subject, references may include publications and guidance from organizations such as:
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA)
- American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
- American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for zoonotic disease guidance
Whenever practical, references are cited directly within our educational guides to promote transparency and encourage further reading.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
Trust is earned through consistency.
We are committed to publishing educational content that reflects current veterinary knowledge while remaining accessible to everyday readers.
Our commitment includes:
- Publishing evidence-based veterinary information
- Vetting educational content before publication
- Reviewing articles on a regular basis
- Updating content as veterinary guidance evolves
- Correcting factual inaccuracies when identified
- Citing reputable veterinary references whenever appropriate
We believe informed animal owners are better equipped to work alongside their veterinarians to provide the highest standard of care for their animals.
Medical Disclaimer
The information published on Creekside Vets is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
Our articles are not a substitute for professional veterinary examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Every animal is unique, and healthcare decisions should always be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian.
If your pet or animal is sick, injured, or experiencing a medical emergency, seek veterinary care immediately.
Looking Ahead
While Creekside Vets honors the legacy of the veterinary professionals who helped establish this domain’s reputation, our focus today is on the future—building a trusted veterinary knowledge resource that empowers animal owners through evidence-based education.
By combining careful research, veterinary review, transparent sourcing, and a commitment to accuracy, we strive to make Creekside Vets a dependable resource for anyone seeking reliable information about animal health and wellbeing.