Battlefords Animal Hospital

08/29/2024

Just a reminder that the clinic will be closed Monday, September 2nd for the long weekend. There is always a veterinarian available for emergency care after hours.

Have a great weekend! 🐾

08/21/2024

With school resuming please by mindful of harmful food and materials to your pets!

08/06/2024

BATTLEFORD'S ANIMAL HOSPITAL IS HIRING

Veterinary Technician: Full-time Position

To apply please send your cover letter and resume by email to [email protected]

If you have any questions, please call the clinic at 306-446-8387.

08/01/2024

Just a reminder to please get your pet's medications and food if needed before the long weekend!

Have a great weekend everyone!🐾

07/25/2024

Yesterday, we shared information from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Today, we'd like to share additional information about livestock and poor air quality.

What can you do to help large animals in a prolonged period of smoke and haze?

⚠️Limit exercise when smoke is visible. Animals should not be required to perform activities that substantively increase airflow into and out of the lungs.
⚠️Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas.
⚠️Limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust or dust-free feeds and sprinkling or misting the livestock holding area.
⚠️Plan to give livestock 4 to 6 weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal. Attempting to handle, move, or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise your animals’ performance.
⚠️Have a livestock evacuation plan ready in advance. If you don't have enough trailers to transport all of your animals quickly, contact neighbors, local haulers, farmers, producers, or other transportation providers to establish a network of reliable resources that can provide transportation in the event you need to evacuate your animals.
⚠️Good barn and field maintenance can reduce fire danger for horses and other livestock. Ensure barns and other structures are stable, promptly remove dead trees, clear away brush, and maintain a defensible space around structures.

07/03/2024

06/21/2024

For more information on the new requirements for your dog to enter the United States please view the link below!

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs-entering-us-after-august-1.html

04/18/2024

Great, informative post made by Earl Grey Veterinary Services!
Keep in mind this calving season! 🐮

Navel ill is very common in calves this time of year.

Navel ill is a bacterial infection that enters in through the umbilical cord within the first few days of life and causes swelling, pain, and a purulent discharge. If left untreated the infection can be spread to other areas of the body, such as the joints.

The best way to prevent navel ill is by making sure there is clean/dry bedding for calves to lay on at all times.

If you are having issues with navel infections, or any other issue, please call the veterinary clinic for advice!

04/05/2024

Happy calving season! 🐮

This is our busiest time of the year so please bear with us as we may need to reschedule in office appointments for any calving calls. Our doctors get called out to help pull calves, perform emergency c-sections or fix prolapses.

As we are in peak calving season, we apologize for any scheduling inconveniences. Our dedicated team will try our best to accommodate all our patients and clients.

We hope you all enjoy the beautiful spring weather ahead of us!

03/25/2024

The clinic will be closed Friday, March 29th for Easter this weekend. Regular hours will resume on Monday, April 1st.

For emergency veterinary care, please call 306-446-8387.

Have a great weekend! Happy Easter! 🐾

03/01/2024

We found an earring in the clinic! It’s a sparkle ball. Please send us a message if you’ve lost one, let us know what colour it is to claim it!

12/22/2023

The clinic will be closed Monday, December 25th and Tuesday, December 26th for Christmas holidays. We will be open for regular hours Wednesday, December 27th.

We will also be closed New Years Day, January 1st.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

11/08/2023

The clinic will be closed Friday, November 10th for Remembrance Day. The office will be open the following Monday, November 13th.

09/14/2023

We carry a new line of products in clinic for our Equine 🐴 patients! This week we are featuring their Platinum Performance supplement, which is a comprehensive formulation that is recommended for all horses, no matter their age, breed, or activity level. The ingredients are designed to work together to support every aspect of health and performance, including joints, muscles, hooves, skin and coat, digestion and more.

For more information about their products, please visit their website: https://www.platinumperformance.ca

07/17/2023

✨Attention Clients!✨

We will be missing Dr. Sylvia in clinic for the foreseeable future as she recovers from an incident over the weekend.

Please be patient with our doctors and support staff as we do our best to navigate scheduling appointments with one less doctor available.

Let’s hope for a speedy recovery, Dr. Sylvia!

06/27/2023

We will be closed Friday, June 30th for the Canada Day Long Weekend. 🇨🇦

In need of emergency veterinary care during the weekend, there will be a veterinarian available after hours.

Have a fun and safe long weekend!🐾

05/31/2023

We carry a variety of products to help prevent ticks from biting your pets! There are different treatment options depending on what will work best for your pet.

Please call us at (306)446-8387 for any questions regarding tick prevention products!

05/02/2023

04/06/2023

Happy Easter!
Regular clinic hours will resume Monday, April 10th.

03/26/2023

Librela is a brand new product that is now available for arthritis in dogs! It is a great alternative option to Metacam/Meloxicam or Deramaxx, that does not require daily dosing and has a well-established safety profile for our geriatric patients. To discuss if Librela would be a good fit for your furry family member, give us a call at (306)446-8387 🐾

🐾🐾🐾 Exciting news! We received our first shipment of Librela medication and began using this yesterday!

Our passion is making your dog live and move better. Less pain. More play.
We are the rehab and pain experts, and we are beyond EXCITED 🤩 to have this medication as another tool for us to use!

Read below👇🏼

What is Librela®? ❓
Librela for dogs is made by Zoetis, designed to manage pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Librela has been approved in Canada and the UK for treating arthritis in dogs.

The active ingredient in Librela is bedinvetmab, which is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets and neutralizes the action of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a role in the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord, and by inhibiting its action, librela (bedinvetmab) can reduce pain and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis. Specifically, arthritis pain in dogs is often associated with the release of NGF from damaged cells in arthritic joints. This release can then contribute to further inflammation and soreness.

Librela for dogs is administered once monthly as a subcutaneous injection by a veterinarian. Generally, results will be seen within 7-28 days post-injection and peak at 60 days. If no response is realized after two treatments, other treatments should be taken into consideration.

What are the benefits of Librela for dogs?
Librela has been shown to provide several benefits for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. One of the most significant benefits is a reduction in pain and inflammation, which can greatly improve a dog's quality of life.

Dogs treated with Librela have demonstrated increased mobility, allowing them to resume activities they may have previously been unable to do due to pain and stiffness. By reducing pain and inflammation, librela may also reduce the need for other medications that may have unwanted side effects, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Studies have proven that librela is effective in managing pain and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis, and it has been well-tolerated with few reported side effects. The use of Librela may also help prevent the progression of osteoarthritis in dogs by reducing inflammation and pain associated with the condition.

Overall, librela provides a safe and effective treatment option for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, improving their mobility and quality of life while reducing their dependence on other medications. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine if librela is the right treatment option for your individual dog and to discuss the potential risks and benefits of the medication.

What are the considerations when using Librela for dogs?
Librela is generally considered to be very safe for use in dogs with osteoarthritis. Uncommonly, injection site reactions such as swelling and redness can occur but are usually mild and resolve without treatment within 1-2 days.

The use of librela in dogs is contraindicated in certain cases. It should not be used in dogs with hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the ingredients.

Additionally, librela is not recommended for dogs under 12 months of age or for animals intended for breeding. It should also be avoided in pregnant or lactating animals, as the safety of the medication in these situations has not been established.

It is important to note that librela may induce transient or persistent anti-drug antibodies. While induction of such antibodies is uncommon, it may result in a decrease in efficacy in animals that responded to treatment previously.

Therefore, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before administering librela to your dog to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for your pet's individual situation.

FAQs❓
❓How often does Librela for dogs need to be administered?
Librela is administered once monthly as a subcutaneous injection.

❓What are the side effects of librela?
Very few dogs will experience side effects from librela. When they do occur, the most common are injection site reactions such as swelling and redness which usually resolve without treatment within 1-2 days.

❓Can my dog still take other medications while on Librela?
Yes, librela can be used in combination with other medications such as NSAIDs. However, it is important to consult with your veterinarian before administering any medication to your dog.

❓How long does it take for Librela for dogs to start working?
The effects of librela may be seen as soon as 7 days after administration, but the maximum effect is usually achieved at 30-60 days after starting librela. If no response is realized after two treatments, other treatments should be taken into consideration.

TALK To US. For our clients, be prepared that we will be telling you all about this when you come to see us!
Let’s talk. TEXT us at 306 522 7152 and we can have the conversation of determining if this drug can help your dog.

03/15/2023

✨TEACHING TUESDAY✨
(Pretend it’s still Tuesday 😉)

Deep chested, large and giant breed dogs are predisposed to a condition known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV). This is a life-threatening condition where the stomach dilates and twists on itself.

‘Charlie’, a 3 year old, male neutered Great Dane, presented for productive and nonproductive vomiting/retching, hypersalivation, restlessness, and abdominal distension. He was found recumbent and depressed, not long after getting home from the dog park in the evening.

The picture attached shows what his GDV looked like on abdominal x-rays. If you use your imagination, a GDV makes the stomach look like ‘Popeye’s Arm’, a ‘Smurf’s Hat’, or a reverse ‘C’ sign.

‘Charlie’ was rushed into surgery and his stomach was found to be dilated, twisted 180-260 degrees, and the surface of his stomach was purple. Prompt veterinary care and surgical correction is crucial since postponing care can significantly reduce the chance of survival, since the blood supply to the stomach is compromised in this condition.

‘Charlie’s recovery after surgery remained guarded until a few days later when he was able to keep small amounts of food down and regain his energy back. Unfortunately, not all dogs are as lucky as ‘Charlie’.

High risk breeds, such as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Standard Poodles, and Saint Bernards, can undergo a preventative procedure known as a Prophylactic Gastropexy, where the stomach is tacked to the abdominal wall, which prevents the stomach from being able to twist on itself.

The following are some ways to minimize the risk of your large or giant breed dog from experiencing a GDV:
- Prophylactic Gastropexy
- Restricting exercise for about 30 minutes before and after meals
- Feeding 2-3 smaller meals per day, rather than 1 large meal per day
- Reducing stress at meal time

03/07/2023

✨TEACHING TUESDAY✨

Our entire clinic team strives to educate clients about their pets’ health and well-being! Stay tuned on Tuesdays for interesting cases we have cared for in clinic!

We have had a significant rise in dogs and cats consuming things they shouldn’t! Lots of times, foreign objects can pass through their intestines with minimal side effects, but there are times they get stuck along their way through.

Midnight, was a 2 year old, neutered male cat that presented for vomiting and not wanting to eat. He was a little tender when his abdomen was being palpated. His radiographs were not overly diagnostic for what was found in his intestines…The doctor on call found a string anchored under his tongue and removed 36 inches of string throughout his stomach and small intestine. String within the intestines can be quite dangerous since it can rupture the intestines, so we are thankful his owner was so observant of Midnight and brought him into the clinic when she knew something was wrong.

Midnight is now happily recovering at home uneventfully! 🐈‍⬛

**Cat’s name was changed for client confidentiality purposes**

02/28/2023

✨Remember the puppies Dr. Sylvia and Dr. Tiandra brought into the world on Christmas Eve?!✨

Today, these cuties came into the clinic for their first vaccination, deworming treatment, and microchip!

When adopting a puppy or kitten, here are a few important questions to ask the breeder:
1. Have they had their first vet checkup with vaccination and deworming treatment? They should have written proof from the vet clinic!
2. Do the parents have any medical or behavioural issues?
3. Have they been exposed to different forms of socialization yet?

02/23/2023

Have you ever brushed your pets teeth? 🦷✨

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health! Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the most effective thing you can do to keep their teeth healthy. Brushing their teeth may reduce the frequency of dental procedures by your veterinarian. Daily brushing is best, however even brushing several times a week can be very helpful. Most dogs accept brushing, but cats can be a bit more resistant. Patience and training are important!

Are you wanting to try brushing your dog or cats teeth, but not sure how to start?
Check out this video to learn more about taking care of your pets teeth at home:

Home dental care can go a long way toward helping protect your pet against dental disease and related problems. Here’s how to make your dog or cat comfortabl...

02/22/2023

We're happy the puppy hunt was successful!! 😄

02/02/2023

February is pet dental health month! Did you know that pets can get dental disease? 🦷✨

Take a look at your dogs or cats teeth. Are they pearly white or appear brown and full of tartar? The tartar below the gum line will cause inflammation and infection which may lead to severe dental problems and pain.

If you have questions about your pets dental health, please call us at the clinic!

01/31/2023

Our doctors have been busy this past month with calving season! We appreciate your patience with our staff when calling to book an appointment and if we have to reschedule your appointment due to the unpredictable nature of this time of year!

01/26/2023

River was in for a spay and she got all the cuddles after her surgery, especially from one of our techs Kaycee! 😍

Can you guess what breed River is?

01/23/2023

When you get your pets spayed or neutered you are preventing unwanted litters, helping protect against some serious health problems, and may reduce behavioral problems associated with the mating instinct.

Do you have questions about spaying or neutering your pets? Discuss your options with your veterinarian so you can get answers and make an educated decision!

01/11/2023

Our vets have been busy with some calving calls already!! 🐮

Dr. Tom snapped this photo of the sunrise during one of his trips.