Alpine Animal Hospital, PC

Alpine Animal Hospital, PC Fear Free, Full Service Companion Animal Veterinary Hospital At Alpine we have a deep love for animals and endless dedication to their health and happiness.

We strive to provide gold standard care to both ends of the leash! We are AAHA accredited and offer full-service, Fear Free care for dogs and cats in the Roaring Fork Valley. Come experience the Alpine difference!

💜🐾 Caring for Our Sweet Senior Friend 🐾💜Recently, one of our senior pups came to see us after her arthritis worsened, le...
01/09/2025

💜🐾 Caring for Our Sweet Senior Friend 🐾💜

Recently, one of our senior pups came to see us after her arthritis worsened, leading to a significant limp in her left front leg. After a thorough exam by Dr. Davis, radiographs revealed an aggressive bone lesion in her elbow joint—most likely osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. 💔

To help keep this sweet girl as comfortable as possible, she’s now on a combination of anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Additionally, we’ve started her on Zolidronate, a specialized IV medication. Zolidronate is an infusion that takes about 20 minutes to administer and works by helping to slow bone destruction caused by the lesion. It’s often used to manage pain and improve quality of life in pets with similar conditions. 💉✨

While we know her journey is challenging, we are doing everything we can to ensure she feels loved and supported every step of the way. With her family’s dedication and her treatment plan in place, we hope to provide her with comfort and care until it’s time for her family to make the more difficult decisions that may lie ahead. 💕

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🐾💉 Tess: Our Fabulous 14.5-Year-Old Boxer Mix! 💉🐾Miss Tess came in to see us for her Librela injection, which is a treat...
01/08/2025

🐾💉 Tess: Our Fabulous 14.5-Year-Old Boxer Mix! 💉🐾

Miss Tess came in to see us for her Librela injection, which is a treatment designed to help manage pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Librela is great for certain patients because it targets the root cause of joint discomfort, helping them stay active and comfortable in their golden years. 🌟

While she was here, Tess’s mom mentioned a small lump growing between her teeth and asked about scheduling a dental cleaning. Amy took a look at her teeth, graded them, and examined the lump. It appears to be an epulis (a type of oral growth), but once Tess is under anesthesia for her cleaning, we’ll remove it and send it off for testing to ensure there’s nothing more serious to worry about.

Tess was such a star during her visit! She’s super food motivated, and her adorable one-ear-up, one-ear-down look had us all melting. 😍💕 We can’t wait to see her back next month for her next Librela injection. Keep being amazing, Tess!

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🦷🐾 Mickey’s Dentistry Day! 🐾🦷Today, Mickey, our handsome 3.5-year-old patient, came in for a dental cleaning—and he was ...
01/07/2025

🦷🐾 Mickey’s Dentistry Day! 🐾🦷

Today, Mickey, our handsome 3.5-year-old patient, came in for a dental cleaning—and he was such a superstar! 🌟 Before any procedure involving anesthesia, we always run blood work to ensure everything looks good, and Mickey handled it like a pro.

Dr. Gisleson was able to draw blood from Mickey’s neck while Michelle gently held him in a completely fear-free manner. 💕 Did you know that drawing blood from the neck (using the jugular vein) is often the quickest, easiest, and least stressful method for pets? It might look intimidating, but it allows us to collect a sample swiftly, minimizing any discomfort or stress for your furry friend. 🐶💉

Thanks to Mickey’s calm cooperation, we got all the information we needed to safely proceed with his dental cleaning. The results came back great, and Mickey went under anesthesia smoothly. His teeth are now sparkling clean, and he recovered beautifully—ready to head home shortly after waking up! 🥳✨

We’re so proud of this little guy and can’t wait to see him again soon. Here’s to a happy, healthy smile, Mickey! 🐕🦷

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🐾✨ Say Hello to Scout! ✨🐾Scout, the adorable 12-week-old Aussie Doodle, stopped by to see us today for his second set of...
01/06/2025

🐾✨ Say Hello to Scout! ✨🐾

Scout, the adorable 12-week-old Aussie Doodle, stopped by to see us today for his second set of vaccinations—and to chat about some itchy concerns! 🐶 This tricolor phantom merle mini is as stunning as he is sweet, but lately, he’s been scratching and biting at his skin a lot. His family has tried a few things to help with the itching (even considering external parasites), but nothing seems to bring him relief.

We discussed a few potential solutions, including switching up his food and other ways to address skin sensitivities. Since he’s so young, there’s hope that he might grow out of these issues as he gets older. 🤞 Meanwhile, we’re doing our best to make this little guy as comfortable as possible and will check back in on his progress in a few weeks!

We also talked about the importance of socializing Scout, working on commands, and getting him comfortable with things like having his feet touched and using a toothbrush—now’s the perfect time to start! 🦷🐾 This sweet boy handled everything like a champ today, and we’re already excited to see him and his precious little face back here next month for his final round of vaccines! 💕

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Saturday Sunshine Vibes ☀️🐾Saturdays are for slowing down, soaking up the sun, and finding that perfect cozy spot to cur...
01/04/2025

Saturday Sunshine Vibes ☀️🐾

Saturdays are for slowing down, soaking up the sun, and finding that perfect cozy spot to curl up and relax—just like this sweet pup! 🛋️🐶 Whether it’s a nap on the couch, a stroll outside, or just enjoying the simple warmth of a sunny window, today is the day to unwind.

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all.” 🌞💤

Take a cue from our furry friends—pause, breathe, and enjoy the little moments that make life so special. Happy Saturday! 🐾✨

Mackenzie’s Big Day! 🐾🐕Say hello to Mackenzie, a beautiful 15-week-old white German Shepherd who came in for her third s...
01/03/2025

Mackenzie’s Big Day! 🐾🐕

Say hello to Mackenzie, a beautiful 15-week-old white German Shepherd who came in for her third set of vaccinations! This little lady is growing up fast and is already melting hearts with her sweet personality. While she was here, we had some great discussions about her care and future health needs, including microchipping her for permanent identification (just in case she ever wanders off!).

What makes white German Shepherds special? White German Shepherds are a rare and striking variation of the classic German Shepherd breed. They trace their origins to Germany, just like their sable and black-and-tan counterparts, but their white coat comes from a recessive gene. While some see them as a distinct breed, they share the same intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism that make all German Shepherds incredible companions.

We also talked about Mackenzie’s spay timeline. Based on UC Davis guidelines, we recommend waiting until around 2 years of age to spay her. At that time, we’d also perform a gastropexy, a surgical procedure that helps prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus (commonly known as bloat), a life-threatening condition to which large-breed dogs like German Shepherds are prone. This preventive procedure is a great way to protect her long-term health. 🩺✨

One of Mackenzie’s quirks is a not-so-lovely habit of coprophagia (aka eating her own p**p). While gross, this behavior is common in puppies. We discussed products that can make her stool less appealing, as well as strategies to discourage the habit over time. With consistency, we’re confident this will improve!

After getting her vaccines, Mackenzie is well on her way to being a healthy, happy, and well-socialized pup. We can’t wait to see her back in a few weeks for her final vaccinations and to hear about all the fun adventures she’s having! 🌟🐾

Sweet Grace, Our Golden Girl 💕🐾Grace, the sweetest 13-year-old senior gal, came in for a recheck to address some lingeri...
01/02/2025

Sweet Grace, Our Golden Girl 💕🐾

Grace, the sweetest 13-year-old senior gal, came in for a recheck to address some lingering urinary tract issues. While she’s feeling better than before, her UTI hasn’t completely cleared up. To get to the bottom of things, we performed a culture and sensitivity test to help us tailor her treatment plan.

What is a culture and sensitivity test? This test identifies the specific bacteria causing the infection and determines which antibiotics will be most effective against it. By using targeted treatment, we can clear up infections more effectively and reduce the risk of resistance. 🩺✨

During her visit, we also chatted with Grace’s loving mom about her arthritis, which has been affecting her mobility. Together, we explored some treatment options to improve her comfort and quality of life as she gracefully ages (see what we did there? 😄). With a little TLC, we’re hopeful Grace will be feeling her best in no time.

Once we get the test results, we’ll finalize a plan to tackle her UTI or address any potential incontinence, if that’s also contributing to her symptoms. Grace is such a sweetie patootie, and we’re honored to help her stay healthy and happy! 💕

Cheers to 2025 🥂Happy New Year! 🥳
01/01/2025

Cheers to 2025 🥂

Happy New Year! 🥳

12/31/2024

Looking forward to the New Year 🥳
Happy New Years Eve!

Holiday Hours:
December 31st (today) 8am-3pm
January 1st -Closed

Reflecting on a Year of Gratitude 🐾❤️As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to share our heartfelt grati...
12/30/2024

Reflecting on a Year of Gratitude 🐾❤️

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to share our heartfelt gratitude with all of you—our amazing clients in the Roaring Fork Valley. 🌟 Whether you’ve been with us for years or are new to our hospital, we deeply appreciate the trust you place in us to care for your beloved animals. 🐕🐈🐾

Your furry family members mean the world to us, and we’re honored to be a part of their health and happiness. Every tail wag, purr, and happy hop reminds us why we do what we do. Thank you for welcoming us into your lives and allowing us to grow and thrive as a business in this incredible community.

Your trust, kindness, and support inspire us every day. We look forward to continuing to provide the highest level of care and compassion for your pets in the coming year. Together, we’ll ensure they live their healthiest, happiest lives.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you. 💕 Here’s to the love of pets and the people who cherish them!

Charlie’s Journey to Comfort 🐾❤️Charley, our sweet and brave patient, came to see us because he’d been limping on his le...
12/28/2024

Charlie’s Journey to Comfort 🐾❤️

Charley, our sweet and brave patient, came to see us because he’d been limping on his left hind leg for over a week, and his mom knew something more was going on. While he’s been on a daily joint supplement, the limp wasn’t improving, so we took radiographs to get to the root of the problem. It turns out Charley likely has a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in both knees, with the left being worse than the right. Poor guy! 😢

On top of that, Charley has had ongoing a**l gland issues over the years. One gland expresses normally, but the other has been problematic, even leading to ruptures in the past. We were able to express the left gland during his visit to give him some relief, and Dr. Biggins recommended transitioning him to Hill’s Biome prescription food, which may help manage these recurring issues.

For his knees, we’re referring Charley to Dr. Imhoff, a board-certified surgeon, for a consult regarding Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery, which can help stabilize his knees and get him back to feeling his best. In the meantime, we’ve sent him home with pain medication to keep him comfortable while we wait for the radiologist’s report and set up his consult.

Charley is such a trooper, and we’re wishing him the speediest recovery, no matter which direction his family decides to go. He’s in good hands, and we can’t wait to see him back on his paws and living his best life again soon! 🐕💪

Enzo’s Itchy Adventure 🐾🐶Enzo, the lovable pug, came to visit us because he was dealing with some pretty uncomfortable i...
12/27/2024

Enzo’s Itchy Adventure 🐾🐶

Enzo, the lovable pug, came to visit us because he was dealing with some pretty uncomfortable itching—especially under his armpits and around his chin. Poor little guy! 😢 His skin was red, raw, and missing fur under his armpits.

After a thorough exam by Dr. Biggins, we suspected allergic dermatitis—possibly from ectoparasites, environmental allergens, or even food allergies. To give Enzo some quick relief, we administered a Cytopoint injection to help soothe that unbearable itch.

What is Cytopoint? Cytopoint is a long-lasting injection that targets the itch at its source by neutralizing a specific protein in your dog’s body that causes itching. It provides relief for 4-8 weeks, giving your pup’s skin time to heal while reducing the need for other medications. 🩺✨

We also recommended doing a food trial, using a soothing medicated bath to help his skin, and starting a parasitic prevention treatment just in case any tiny critters were the culprits. While he was here, Enzo also got an update on his vaccines—he was such a champ! 🐾

We can’t wait to see this little guy again soon and are hopeful these small changes will have him feeling comfortable and happy in no time. Hang in there, Enzo! 💕

Meet Ollie! 🐾🐶Ollie, the adorable 13-week-old goldendoodle, came in for his puppy vaccinations and a wellness exam with ...
12/26/2024

Meet Ollie! 🐾🐶

Ollie, the adorable 13-week-old goldendoodle, came in for his puppy vaccinations and a wellness exam with his loving family. 🩺💉 This fluffy bundle of energy was all wags and smiles, especially when he met Dr. Gisleson—he loved her (and the feeling was mutual)! ❤️ Ollie is thriving, with house training going well (a few accidents here and there, but that’s totally normal at his age).

Since Ollie will be hiking and meeting new doggy friends, we tailored his vaccinations to match his active, outdoor lifestyle. He’s a healthy pup, full of curiosity, and highly food-motivated—a treat made every moment even better for him. 🍖 We also started a conversation about heartworm prevention, an essential step in keeping him safe.

Why is heartworm prevention important? Heartworm disease is a serious, potentially fatal condition transmitted by mosquitoes, even in seemingly healthy dogs. Prevention is key, as treatment can be challenging and costly. A monthly preventative keeps your pup safe and your mind at ease, so they can focus on tail-wagging adventures. 🐕🌳

We’ll see Ollie again in 3-4 weeks for his final set of puppy vaccinations. Until then, happy hiking, Ollie! 🐾✨

🎉🐾 Happy Birthday, Cheryl! 🐾🎉Today, we’re celebrating the incredible Cheryl, our amazing Practice Manager here at Alpine...
12/25/2024

🎉🐾 Happy Birthday, Cheryl! 🐾🎉

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible Cheryl, our amazing Practice Manager here at Alpine Animal Hospital! 🎂🎈 Cheryl is the glue that holds everything together behind the scenes—keeping our hospital running smoothly, making sure every detail is handled, and always doing it all with her calm, steady presence that we all love and admire. 🌟

From ordering magic to solving surprises (big and small) with a smile, Cheryl makes Alpine a better place for our team, our clients, and all of the furry friends we care for. 🐶🐱🐰 Thank you for everything you do, Cheryl—you’re the heart of our hospital, and we’re so grateful for you every single day! 💙

Here’s to a birthday filled with joy, laughter, and maybe even a little time off (you deserve it!). Cheers to you! 🥂🎉

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  from all of us here at Alpine Animal Hospital! ☃️ 🎉
12/24/2024

from all of us here at Alpine Animal Hospital! ☃️ 🎉

‘Tis the season! 🎁Happy Holidays everyone ❄️Holiday Hours:December 24th 8am-12pmDecember 25th Closed
12/23/2024

‘Tis the season! 🎁

Happy Holidays everyone ❄️

Holiday Hours:
December 24th 8am-12pm
December 25th Closed

🎄✨ Saturday Snuggles Before the Holidays! ✨🎄Dr. Gisleson is getting into the holiday spirit with the ultimate festive du...
12/21/2024

🎄✨ Saturday Snuggles Before the Holidays! ✨🎄

Dr. Gisleson is getting into the holiday spirit with the ultimate festive duo—George and Rudy, two 10-week-old golden retriever pups dressed to impress in their flashing red and green harnesses! ❤️💚 These little bundles of joy are all about spreading love, light, and a whole lot of puppy kisses this holiday season. 🐾🐶

As we head into the holiday weeks, let’s take a note from George and Rudy: “Hold those you love close to your heart, and don’t forget to shine a little light wherever you go!” 🌟

We’re wishing you a weekend filled with warm snuggles, wagging tails, and lots of laughter as you prepare for a holiday season full of love and joy. 🎅🎁

🐾🎄❤️💚

Cosmo’s Big Day: A Brave Boy and a Big Step ForwardToday we want to celebrate Cosmo, our nine-and-a-half-year-old supers...
12/20/2024

Cosmo’s Big Day: A Brave Boy and a Big Step Forward

Today we want to celebrate Cosmo, our nine-and-a-half-year-old superstar 🐾✨, who came in with a bit of a concerning issue. His mom, ever observant, noticed a quarter-sized red mass just below his tail after a grooming session and brought him in to see us right away.

Cosmo was an absolute champ! He stayed calm and cooperative while Dr. Biggins performed a needle aspiration (where a needle is inserted into the mass to collect cells) and then prepped it on a slide to examine the mass under the microscope. The results suggested it could be an adenoma (often benign), but there were also suspicious cells indicating a possible carcinoma, which requires quick action to ensure the best care.

So, later that afternoon, Cosmo returned for surgery. After sedating him, we prepped the area with a meticulous cleaning and ensured a sterile field using a little veterinary trick—a temporary tampon to keep the area clean during the procedure. (That’s the string you might notice in the photo!)

Dr. Biggins used electrocautery to carefully remove the mass. Electrocautery is a surgical tool that uses heat to cut and seal tissues at the same time, reducing bleeding and helping minimize the risk of infection. It’s especially useful in sensitive areas like around the a**s, where precision and cleanliness are key.

The mass was sent to CSU for further testing so we can be sure of what we’re dealing with and plan the best course of action. Regardless of the results, Cosmo has already shown us his incredible resilience, and we’re hopeful for a long and healthy future for this sweet boy. 💖

Big thanks to Cosmo’s mom for acting so quickly, and to Cosmo for being the brave, lovable boy we all adore. 🐶✨

**lMass 🐾🩺

Address

17776 Highway 82
Carbondale, CO
81623

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 6pm
Friday 8am - 12:30pm
1:30pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19709632371

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Alpine Animal Hospital is an AAHA accredited, full-service veterinary hospital providing Fear Free medical, preventative, surgical and dental care for dogs and cats in the Roaring Fork Valley for over 40 years.