High Country Veterinary Hospital

04/20/2025

04/16/2025

Easter is Almost Here!

We’d like to let you know about our upcoming holiday closures so our team can enjoy some well-deserved time with their loved ones. Our office will be closed from April 18th through April 21st and will reopen with regular hours on Monday, April 22nd.

Please take a moment to check your pet’s medications and prescription diets, and request any necessary refills as soon as possible. This will help ensure we can have everything ready for you before the long weekend.

In case of emergencies during our closure, please contact one of the following local animal emergency hospitals:
Animal ER Care – 719-260-7141
North Springs Veterinary Referral Center – 719-920-4430
Southern Rockies Animal Emergency and Specialty – 719-473-0482

For non-urgent matters, feel free to leave us a voicemail or send an email—we’ll get back to you as soon as we're back in the office. Wishing you and your furry companions a wonderful Easter holiday!

04/08/2025

Help us secure a spot on the ballot for the Best of the Best Awards opening this July! Nominations open April 10th and run through the end of the month. Your support means the world to us—thank you!

High Country Veterinary Hospital is a small animal and exotics clinic that has been serving the Sout

03/27/2025

We were featured on Loving Living Local on Fox 21 News! Check out this segment where we shared our story, our facility, and a clinic favorite who has now officially found his own home! Watch the full clip below!

High Country Vet - Loving Living Local

03/25/2025

*UPDATE - Bruin has been reunited! Thank you to all who shared!*

Please share! Found male husky in the 80911 area, no tags or microchip. Please contact High Country Veterinary Hospital if you recognize this little escape artist!

03/21/2025

This week is Pet Poison Prevention Week! Keeping your furry family members safe from exposure to household products, chemicals, and everyday items that can be toxic is crucial. Almost every home contains products that could harm pets, causing anything from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe issues like seizures, liver or kidney failure, and even death if not treated quickly. Being aware of toxic ingredients is key to preventing exposure.

Over-the-counter medications are among the most commonly ingested toxins by pets. This includes vitamins, pain medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen), herbal supplements, antihistamines, and cold and flu medications. Additionally, ingestion of medications prescribed for people—such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, antidepressants, and heart medications—accounts for a significant number of toxicity cases. Pet owners should be reminded to keep all medications out of pets’ reach. REMINDER: Childproof does not mean pet-proof when it comes to medications or other storage containers.

Xylitol, a sweetener toxic to dogs, is often found in sugarless gum, candies, mints, flavored multivitamins, desserts, and baked goods. Even small amounts can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, and large amounts can lead to liver failure. Signs of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, weakness, difficulty walking, tremors, and seizures.

As beautiful as they are, some flowers can cause severe toxicity or even fatalities in pets. Certain types of lilies—including tiger, day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese lilies—are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion of even a few petals, leaves, or pollen can lead to severe kidney failure. Additionally, ingesting certain spring bulbs (e.g., daffodils, tulips) can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. More serious reactions may include an abnormal heart rate or changes in breathing.

Fertilizers can be basic gastrointestinal irritants, but some contain dangerous chemicals like organophosphates or carbamates, which can be harmful or deadly to pets. Symptoms of ingestion include drooling, watery eyes, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, fever, and even death.

Rodent, snail, and slug baits are also highly toxic to pets. If ingested, these poisons can be fatal without immediate veterinary attention. Rodent baits may cause blood clotting disorders, brain swelling, or kidney failure, while snail and slug baits can trigger severe tremors or seizures. If a pet eats a rodent that has ingested poison, they too can be exposed to the toxin and be at risk of poisoning.

10 Steps to Prevent Exposure for Your Pets
- Always Check Product Labels: Look for safety warnings about toxicity and emergency instructions if the product is ingested or contacts skin. If a product is dangerous to humans, it is likely dangerous to pets as well.
- Natural Doesn’t Mean Safe: Even natural products can be harmful. Consult a trusted resource or veterinary professional to confirm safety.
- Look for Pet-Safe Products: While some cleaners and disinfectants are marketed as "pet safe," not all products will specify this—and even those that do may not be completely safe.
- Store Products Securely: Keep products in high cupboards or cabinets and secure them with child safety locks, especially those within your pet’s reach (e.g., under the sink).
- Never Leave Pets Alone in the Garage: Many household toxins are stored in garages. Consider using locked cabinets to store hazardous products.
- Avoid Switching Containers: Always store household products in their original packaging to ensure correct labeling for emergencies and proper use.
- Avoid Pet Areas: Do not store, spray, or use cleaners, essential oils, or pesticides near pet food/water bowls or where pets rest or sleep.
- Be Cautious with Scented Products: Strongly fragranced products or those claiming to remove odors may contain potentially dangerous chemicals like phthalates.
- Let Surfaces Dry: When cleaning, prevent pets from walking on or sleeping in treated areas until they are completely dry and odor-free.
- Keep Pets Indoors: When using fertilizers or pesticides outside, keep pets indoors and follow label instructions regarding pet safety.

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. For emergencies, contact one of the local animal emergency rooms:

Animal ER Care: 719.260.7141
Animal ER Care Central: 719.755.0558
North Springs Veterinary Referral Center: 719.920.4430
Southern Rockies Animal Emergency & Specialty: 719.473.0482

03/19/2025

Did you know that chickens can see and dream in full color? Happy National Poultry Day!

03/17/2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day! While typically filled with fun and exciting festivities, St Patrick’s Day can unfortunately pose some unlucky hazards to our furry friends. Check out the infographic below to avoid any holiday dangers and keep your pets out of trouble.

03/13/2025

On this K9 Veterans Day, we salute the brave four-legged heroes who have served our nation with loyalty and courage. These incredible dogs have played vital roles in military operations—detecting explosives, protecting their handlers, and providing comfort to troops. To all the K9 veterans and their dedicated handlers, thank you for your service. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten.

03/08/2025

“Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere.” – Michelle Obama

03/03/2025

World Wildlife Day gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate the diversity of life on this planet. Unfortunately, we're losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. We've seen a 73% average decline in the number of birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, and reptiles since 1970, according to the 2024 Living Planet Report. This loss affects our health and well-being—and the future of the planet.

Many of wildlife’s contributions often go unseen but support a range of services that support our very survival—from seed dispersal, pollination, and pest control to soil maintenance, nutrient cycling, and flood mitigation. We may not realize how much we depend on wildlife for our own well-being.

World Wildlife Day gives us an opportunity to focus on solutions and see the importance of saving our planet’s incredible wildlife, including the irreplaceable, yet often overlooked, contributions they provide to our natural world. For 2025, World Wildlife Day is focusing on how we can work together to finance wildlife conservation more effectively and sustainably and build a resilient future for both people and the planet. Learn more at https://wildlifeday.org/en/about

03/01/2025

March is Adopt a Guinea Pig month! While guinea pigs are often seen as low-maintenance starter pets, the truth is that they are a long-term commitment. They have an average lifespan of 6-8 years and require daily care and interaction. Guinea pigs can be fun, rewarding companions for both children and adults. Read on to learn more about pet guinea pigs, and to decide whether adopting one of these cuties is right for you. Guinea pigs are social animals that usually do best with a companion of the same gender (to avoid surprise litters). It takes time to bond guinea pigs that have never lived together before, so if you already have a guinea pig, schedule a meet-and-greet with their potential friend before adopting to see how they respond to each other. Bonded pairs can often be rescued together as well. If you have space for a roomy cage, time to play and snuggle, and a willingness to be patient while you win your new pet’s trust, a guinea pig (or two) might just be the right pet for you!

02/22/2025

Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll around the block or embarking on an adventurous hike, today is the perfect day to get outside and enjoy the fresh air with your dog! No matter their age—puppy, adult, or senior—keeping your four-legged friend active is essential to helping maintain a healthy weight, which is key to their overall well-being and longevity. So grab that leash and make some memories together! Happy National Walk Your Dog Day!

02/20/2025

National Love Your Pet Day is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the bond between humans and their beloved pets. It’s a day to shower your furry, feathered, or scaly friends with love, attention, and appreciation. Share the love and share your favorite pictures of your pets below on this special day!

02/18/2025

Since the U.S. outbreak of avian influenza A in dairy cattle began in March 2024, dozens of cats are known to have contracted the virus, including barn and feral cats, indoor cats, and big cats in zoos and in the wild (e.g., mountain lions, tigers, leopards, and bobcats). Cats were already known to be susceptible to the H5N1 virus, with several feline cases linked to poultry or wild bird exposure before the outbreak in cattle began.

Cats appear to be particularly susceptible to severe illness, often resulting in death. Whether infected cats can infect other cats is currently unclear; however, that possibility cannot be dismissed. The risk of cat-to-human transmission is considered extremely low, but may increase with prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals. Dogs can also contract HPAI, although they usually exhibit mild clinical signs and low mortality compared to cats. At present, HPAI has not been detected in dogs in the United States, but there have been fatal cases in other countries.

There have been several recent investigations indicating transmission of H5N1 to cats through food, most often unpasteurized milk or uncooked meats. It is encouraged for consumers to carefully consider the risk of this emerging pathogen before feeding their pets uncooked meat or an uncooked pet food product. Both the CDC and AVMA discourage the feeding of uncooked meat diets to companion animals due to the potential presence of pathogens, including H5N1. Any animals who have exposure to wild animals should also be kept from hunting and consuming wild birds.

Illness may start with loss of appetite, lethargy, and fever, then quickly progress, with cats exhibiting:
- Neurologic signs (e.g., ataxia [incoordination], circling, tremors, seizures, or blindness)
- Severe depression
- Heavy discharge from the nose and eyes
- Other respiratory signs, including rapid or difficulty breathing, and possibly sneezing or coughing

Monitor your family and other animals that might have been exposed for signs of illness, and report any human illness to your local public health official. If you are noticing any of the above symptoms in any of your pets, please reach out to us to schedule an appointment. Please advise us of your concerns prior to the appointment so we can prepare to follow certain health protocols to prevent any spread of the disease.