South Fork Veterinary Service

06/30/2024

True on the critter side too!!!&

06/15/2024

Keep them all safe…

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

05/30/2024

Hey everyone, here’s another quick reminder as we come into Summer about my pack trip dates where I will be gone, not available for appointments or emergencies, and minimally available by phone. Those are in June from the 14th through the 24th and August from the 23rd through September 1st.

I also am on schedule to be on jury duty the month of July. If you have an appointment scheduled in July, please remember that there may be short notice adjustments made if I get called in to jury duty. I do apologize for that so I am trying to make sure everybody has a heads up about it in advance.

Summer is coming! 🥳

05/29/2024

If you’re looking to buy a horse, don’t buy one that is in a daily program if you, at best, ride two or three times each month.

If you primarily trail ride, don’t shop in the arenas. It isn’t fair to you; it isn’t fair to the horse.

If you’re a rider who needs a great deal of control, don’t buy the horse who revels in freedom of movement, the one who can—and must—go for miles.

If you’re a rider who follows a strict 'snaffles only' policy, don’t buy the finished bridle horse who has worked years to earn the right to 'pack iron'. Why not? I’ll repeat, it isn’t fair to the horse.

Riders, we need to get honest with where we are in the saddle! Now. Not someday, not maybe, but now.

Reluctance to do so is the biggest reason it’s so hard to find a perfect match. If we’re afraid, even just a little bit, then we need to own it. If we no longer ride as often, or as athletically as we once did, then we need to say so. Why?

Because until we get honest with ourselves, we will never be fair to the horse.

Photo: Noah Fallis.

05/15/2024

Hi all! Just as a reminder, my annual spring and summer events are coming up.
I will be out of town with poor phone service this weekend - May 16-19 and 24-27 for horse events.
Then June 14-23 and August 23- September 1st for the annual youth horse pack trips.
You’re welcome to call or text and leave messages during those times and I will respond if I am able, though if you are having an emergency during those times, you will need to call Oregon State University or another local veterinarian for assistance.
Here we go! Happy summer everyone ☀️ 🐴 🐕 🐈

04/16/2024

I got to sew up a suspect cougar attack on a horse from this morning. The horse is going to be fine, but just keep in mind that if you live rurally, other things live out there too. Keep an eye on your livestock and dogs.

04/06/2024

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

03/06/2024

💯🤷‍♀️

02/26/2024

01/25/2024

♥️

I see you out there, and I love you for every sacrifice you have made.
I've mentioned it before--I adore shooting elderly horses. Not so much for the actual horse--i love the grumpy dudes and dudettes who are stingey with their ears, of course--but my absolute adoration comes from the people behind every single grey hair. Every single dropped back. Every single ridge in a carefully managed foot.
I see you, old horse owners. I see the promise you made your old friend--that he'd never leave your side again, that he'd never have to worry about a next owner. That he'd never load on a trailer bound for the unknown.
I see the expense it takes in dollars and worry. The careful diet you obsess over, the careful turnout buddies and just the right pasture with the perfectly not-too-big rolling pit.
I see you beaming at your old horse--proud and happy they are still proud and happy, despite not having sat on their backs for sometimes decades.
I see you-sometimes barely scraping by with two horses, sometimes barely scraping by with one. I see what you've done--the bills you've paid month after month because your old friend is still happy to live.
I see the joy your old friend brings you when he tilts his head just this way, and the way he stands just inches from your hair-both of you breathing one another in.
I see your impending heartbreak for the day you may have to make that final decision. I see your internal struggle--is he happy? Is he ok? Am I keeping him around for him or me?
I see your tears thinking about that day, and the tears of joy reliving his youth.
To everyone with an old horse, I see you, and I respect and love you. 💕

12/25/2023

Wishing you a Merry Everything from Dr C and Ready 🎄🎁♥️

12/16/2023

12/14/2023

🤣♥️🙌

12/12/2023

Donkeys!!

Baby it’s cold outside! ❄️⛄️

Many people think of donkeys as hardy, low-maintenance “small horses.” However, while they have similarities, donkeys are a completely different species and as such have a different physical, mental, and emotional make-up.

As the weather gets colder, it’s important to remember that donkeys are more sensitive to changes in temperature than their equine friends. They don’t grow a winter coat like horses and their hair is less waterproof, so they require shelter from the elements (like a run-in shed or a waterproof blanket). Being stoic animals, they also won’t show signs of discomfort and hypothermia until they are very sick.

Remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed, and other health conditions, so be sure with your primary veterinarian to address any concerns or questions!
•
Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

12/08/2023

🤣🤣🤣

12/02/2023

Caution is reasonable, panic is almost never a good idea

Reports of an "outbreak" of some as yet unidentified canine respiratory illness are scaring dog owners. But veterinarians and researchers aren't panicking.

11/26/2023

Simultaneous emergencies last night…

One horse tried to swallow a blackberry briar, long ways. It was stuck in the back of his throat. The owner tried some simple things, then I came on scene with more sedation, and I could feel the blackberry briar, but I could not pull it out, it was very stuck. That horse needed to go to Osu for an anesthesia scope removal of the BlackBerry Briar
The second horse had a wound on the outside of his hock. The concern was that it had a little clear drainage, and the leg was very swollen. We did not know if the joint could have been involved in the puncture, which can be a very serious and work ending injury. That horse also went to Osu For ultrasound, joint tap, and IV antibiotics. 

Sometimes we just need more tools and more hands than can be provided in a farm call. We are incredibly lucky in our area to have a Oregon State Veterinary Teaching Hospital available to us so closely. Never be afraid to be referred there. It is always the best opportunity to solve a more complicated case. I am grateful for access to their team and tools,  for my own critters, and for my clients, to help some of these animals get through tricky medical situations. Both horses are doing well! 

11/25/2023

Hello everyone! I hope Thanksgiving found you surrounded by friends who are family, and family who are friends, and enough of everything you need.
 This is a quick note to let you know that I will be gone Wednesday, November 29 through Sunday, December 3 at an equine veterinary continuing education meeting. I will be available by phone in between classes, but not available for any appointments. If you’re having an emergency during that time, you’ll need to call another local veterinarian or Oregon State University for assistance. 
Thank you! And let the holidays begin.

11/22/2023

Just say’in. It’s not worth it.

Please, no.

11/06/2023

Let’s help our farriers out guys, because we need them to come back again! And again, and again 😜🎉

11/02/2023

Had such a lovely soggy appointment day today. It was a day of horse dentals and body work, and helping a friend to help let her dog go. It was a good smooth day for all of those things.
I was gifted snacks, hot coffee, lunch, a cute tote bag, socks, the use of an indoor potty (which doesn’t sound like a big deal until you’re a horse vet on the road and that’s not always available) and some lovely donation items for my local rescue. So many of my clients take turns taking care of me, especially when it’s a cold wet yucky weather season. I appreciate it so much. ♥️

11/01/2023

Tough truths hurt sometimes. I’ve had two of my own.