We care for Cats, Dogs, Horses, Exotics, Cattle, Bison, Llama & Alpaca. Our clinic is located at 5606 56St.
in Drayton Valley just north of the traffic lights at Industrial Road.
It's time for a Q&A!
Ask your questions in the comments below (nutrition, behavior, preventative care, etc) and we will make an individual post to answer each question!
**Please note we cannot diagnose via social media, but if there is a topic you would like more general information on, THAT we can do!**
We would like to congratulate, and thank, our amazing TA Lisa, on her 6 years with Rocky Rapids Vet.
We are not exaggerating when we say this place just wouldn't be the same without her. Lisa is an incredibly hard working, friendly, fun and devoted team member and we are so thankful to have her as part of the RRVS fam.
Happy 6 year Lisa! 💜
Adorable lil Waylon was in for a neuter (and of course TONS of snuggles) today, how cute does he look in his onesie?!
A registered microchip is one of the easiest ways to ensure your pet finds their way home. A microchip can be implanted at any already booked appointment or can be done on it's own by one of our trained RVT's!
DID YOU KNOW we also custom engrave tags!? Call or text us today to book an appointment or ask any questions you may have 🙂 780-542-2144
Did you know with the PetDesk App - you can set reminders for dewormer, external parasite prevention, vaccinations and other routine checks?!
Simply download the app, create a quick and easy account, choose Rocky Rapids Vet as your current clinic, upload the most adorable photo you have of your pet and be able to book or change appointments, send us a message and even access your pets lab work!
Is your pet current on their vaccinations?
Keeping your pet current on their vaccinations is an essential part of responsible pet care. Vaccines help protect against preventable deadly diseases and viruses that also cause long-term health complications
What Is a Blood Panel?
Running bloodwork or “panels” refers to the quick procedure of taking a small sample of your pet’s blood from a vein, often from the foreleg or neck, and running a complete cell count (CBC) and serum biochemistry. Pets sometimes require more comprehensive panels depending on their age and any preexisting health conditions.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC tells your vet several things about your pet such as if they are well- oxygenated, have clotting issues, or is anemic. The results also show white blood cell
counts and distribution that may indicate infection, inflammation, allergy, certain cancers, or sometimes stress.
Serum Biochemistry
Chem panels help determine your pet’s organ function and provide liver, kidney, blood glucose, and protein values. These results rule-out liver and kidney disease or impairment and reflect your pet’s electrolyte balances. Compromised organs can’t metabolize drugs properly, meaning certain medications might be too heavy or too light or have a rapid onset or delayed effect, all of which can make for a rocky anesthetic experience
We would like to give a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Courtney, our now registered veterinary technologist, for passing her VTNE today!
After two years of college, you graduate as an animal health technician, and the scariest part is this final huge exam of everything you've learned in the last two years to become a registered technologist, and this girl nailed it! We're so proud of you ❤️
Wellness Examinations are one of the most important parts of pet-care!
🐾It Establishes a Baseline 🐾
Pet parents often take their pets to the vet when something is wrong. During emergency visits, your vet is focused on treating your pet’s presenting issue. Alternatively, the wellness exam is a thorough, full-body assessment that establishes your pet’s health baseline. This gives your vet information and clues about your pet’s expected health status.
🐾It Serves as a Preventative🐾
Most diseases manifest over time, if you skip taking your pet in for wellness exams, you might deprive them of a timely diagnosis. A late diagnosis leads to further disease progression and poor quality of life.
🐾It Saves You Money🐾
Late diagnoses almost always lead to emergency visits, major surgeries, months of physical therapy, prolonged ICU stays, or the need for lifelong medications.
🐾It Nurtures the Pet-Vet Relationship🐾
A majority of pets behave poorly during exams out of anxiety and fear and some even hide disease. Habituating your pet by bringing them in for regular wellness exams can make a huge difference in their quality of care. A relaxed pet makes for an easier, more comprehensive exam and better care all around.
If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, it's vital to act quickly.
Follow this step-by-step guide to get your pet potentially life-saving treatment.
👣 GET YOUR PET TO A SAFE PLACE - First, make sure to place your pet somewhere safe. Keep an eye out for any toxic substances that may have spilled onto the floor or furniture, and move your pet to an area that's free from spills or toxic fumes.
🗣SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY - Here are the phone numbers for two of the most popular pet poison helplines:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center – 888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline – 800-213-6680
👀TRY TO IDENTIFY THE POISON - If possible, keep the packaging to show to your veterinarian. This will help them determine the best course of action for your pet.
🧠FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF YOUR VETERINARIAN OR THE POISON HOTLINE
👎NEVER ATTEMPT TO TREAT POISONING ALONE WITHOUT EXPERT GUIDANCE - Different toxins react in different ways, and trying to treat your pet at home without help could do more harm than good.
UPDATE: WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN! See our story for the winner 😁
PLEASE READ: IGNORE ALL COMMENTS THAT ARE NOT FROM THIS PAGE. There has been a scammer asking people to fill out a form, DO NOT fill anything out, we will contact you personally if you have won and not ask for ANY personal information.
As a fun game (WITH A GIVEAWAY!) can you name a pet toxin?
Anything from plants, foods, chemicals, etc.
RULES: Each comment gets you entered into a draw to win a fun bag of goodies!
BONUS: Tag a friend for a bonus entry 😀
Draw: July 23rd
As it gets warmer, we have to make sure all of our animals are provided with fresh, clean, cool water at all times to avoid dehydration. Just like us, they need increased water intake during hot weather or increased activity!
Do you have a first aid kit for your pets?
Here is a recommended list of things to have on hand should you have an unexpected emergency and require a quick remedy before heading into the vet!
July is Lost Pet Prevention Month!
Microchipping is a very east, cost effective, permanent procedure to ensure your lost pet makes its way home as fast as possible.
A microchip is a small device the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the dogs skin between the shoulders and is able to be scanned by all veterinary clinics and most rescues/shelters to allow quick and easy location of a lost pets owners.
A microchip can be implanted anytime - during a routine vaccination appointment or while your pet is in for their spay or neuter. Call us to schedule your microchip appointment or to add on to any existing appointment!
Happy Canada Day!
Fireworks, parties or increased/new people around the home, separation anxiety, parades, etc can all be stressful for your pets.
There are multiple ways to make sure your pets stay safe during times of increased stress:
🐾Natural calmers such as thunder shirts, adaptil pheromone spray/diffusers, calming music, common scents or distraction techniques like kong toys, snuffle mats, etc
🐾Ensuring your pet has proper ID in the case they do escape to make sure they get home as fast as possible
🐾Crate, leash and exposure training to ensure they are comfortable in all situations
We will be closed on Monday July 1 to celebrate Canada Day.
As usual, we do have a veterinarian on call for emergencies. Should you have an emergency, please call 780-542-2144 to be directed to our after hours triage service 🍁
A herd health protocol is an outline of a producer’s plan for annual vaccinations and procedures, as well as treatments for common diseases. The protocol is created with a veterinarian and includes timing of procedures, necessary supplies and identification of the cattle involved.
Obviously, a producer’s goal is to avoid needing to treat cattle, but a plan to address common diseases before they strike can shorten response time and improve treatment success. Although the document itself cannot replace veterinary prescriptions, it makes treatment or routine protocols more efficient. A herd health protocol is a key element of a vet-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
An Annual Vaccination Protocol is an opportunity for producers to discuss how effective their vaccination protocol was over the past year and make any necessary changes well in advance. An Annual Procedure Schedule outlines other practices such as branding, weaning, preg-checking, semen testing, castrations, and more, as well as pre-planning for the medications that may be required.
Do you ever remember to book appointments at the most inconvenient times? 6pm after the clinic closes.... waking up at 2am.... right before work and then forget by 8am?
PetDesk makes it super easy to request an appointment 24/7!
A checkup, nail trim, vaccine appointment, horse dental floats, bovine herd health calls, presurgical appointments, etc all can be booked through the app!
Your veterinarian plays an important role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Selecting the right treatment and prevention plan depends on accurately diagnosing the problem. Work with your local veterinarian to develop a healthcare program designed to fit your operations needs. It is essential to develop a valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship (VCPR).
Call or email us to book your herd health🐮
We have a mix of emotions announcing the following news.
Dr. Savannah Howse-Smith will be leaving RRVS with June 19th as her last day, and we would like to wish her the absolute best! Dr. Howse-Smith will be joining the CATF (Canadian Animal Task Force), which is a registered charity based out of Calgary that consults on animal bylaws, aids in sheltering, rehoming and education of stray/seized dogs as well as providing spay and neuter programs. https://cataskforce.org/
Dr. Howse-Smith has been with us for 11 years and has been an insane wealth of knowledge for both her clients and our staff over the years. Her experience and dedication to the veterinary industry has been so very welcomed and appreciated at RRVS. Though we understand she is going to be helping the community in an amazing way while continuing to do what she loves, we are going to miss her very much. Savannah, we hope your new adventure is everything you dream of and more, we will miss you!
We would also like to reassure our clients that RRVS will still be seeing exotic and poultry patients to the best of our ability with the addition of Dr. Clara Kim who will be joining our team in July. Dr. Kim is excited to take care for our exotic species under the direction of our senior RRVS team and in consultation with Dr. Howse -Smith
It is very important to check your pet as soon as possible after any outing to ensure no ticks have had the chance to attach themselves. Ticks can be difficult to find, sometimes are missed for long periods of time, and it only takes 26-48 hours for lyme disease to be transmitted.
It's the weekend!
We hope everyone is able to enjoy the sunshine with your critters, have a great weekend!
Did you know that the actual bite from a tick has no threat to the host (person or animal), however, the real risk is the ability to transmit lyme disease?
Ticks found on your pet can be brought into our clinic for us to submit to the surveillance program and determine if that tick has the ability to carry lyme disease. In the case that it is a worrisome species, the physical tick will be submitted to be tested.
May is also Chip Your Pets Month! 🐾
A microchip is a permanent device implanted under the skin of your pet that has a very unique code, read by a scanner, that allows a vet clinic, rescue, or anyone with a scanner, to appropriately locate an animals owner should they get lost.
How adorable is miss Dolly's sploot?!
Dolly was in on Monday for her wellness check and vaccinations, but all she knew was it was just an adventure for tons of snuggles and treats ❤️
5605 56 Street
Drayton Valley, AB
T7A0B2
| Monday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5:30pm |
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Don't forget! We are collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank. There is 1 week left to drop off any food items you may have, the box is located in reception near the pet food area. Nothing too big or too small, every little bit helps ❤
Happy Holidays! RRVS is collecting non-perishable food items for the Food Bank until December 22 🐾 Nothing is too big or too small, every item is appreciated! ❤
Big Or Small, we help them all! Merry Mooo-Mas to All 🐮🎄
Happy Registered Veterinary Technologist week to our two AMAZING RVTs, Brooke and Emra! What is an RVT? They are a surgical anesthetist, a dental hygienist, a pharmacist, an x-ray technician, and most importantly, your pets best friend. Sounds like a lot of hats to wear and we lucked out with some of the best at our clinic! Not only do they support the veterinarians, assistants and receptionists in the clinic, they also care for our wonderful clients and their fur babies! We couldn’t do this job without them and are always grateful for the long days they put in, being the first ones in and last to go home! Join us in saying a great big THANK YOU!! We are blessed with an amazing group of individuals that really go above and beyond for our community.
This little patient visited today! She doesn’t yet have a name - so comment below if you have a cute suggestion! Welcome to the world, little Floof!
Our cute pet Friday is a little different this week! We have a lovely Amaryllis that has blossomed its beautiful Red Flower! Ann the Amaryllis is very happy enjoying the sunny weather too! Enjoy your weekend! #RRVScutepetFriday
Please call 780-542-2144 to get all your animal orders together before the holidays!
Mightymite Miniature Pinschers
Box 199
