Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital

12/18/2024

Double oops. We let Lonna and Nikki from our imaging team take over our social media account.

On a serious note, sedation helps us get clear, stress-free radiographs so we can take the best care of our patients.

12/16/2024

We're very busy achieving optimal oxygen saturation and holding space for defying gravity.

12/13/2024

Today is , and this week, a community came together to save a horse in need, and it was nothing short of inspiring. Dr. Amanda Bowen was called to help Dominator, the 12-year-old Clydesdale down. When she arrived, the incredible Wellington Fire Protection District was already working to disassemble the fence to free her.

With teamwork and care, they repositioned Dominator to relieve the pressure on her body, placed an IV catheter, started fluids, and administered pain medications and anti-inflammatories. Despite our efforts, she couldn’t stand on her own, so the fire department called in reinforcements. That’s when the Poudre Fire Authority and a neighbor across the street stepped up, offering his front-loader to help lift her.

Together, they carefully supported her back to her feet, inch by inch, and eventually loaded her onto a trailer for CSU for supportive care. After a horse has been down for an extended time, our veterinarians worry about muscles breaking down and releasing enzymes into her blood or kidney damage. She received fluid therapy overnight, and her muscle enzymes went down the following day.

Thanks to everyone’s quick actions and teamwork, she’s doing well! This rescue was a powerful reminder of what happens when a community rallies together. Everyone, from the firemen and veterinarians to the generous neighbor, played a vital role in giving this horse a fighting chance.

12/11/2024

Never let anyone tell you that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! 🐾✨

Over two years ago, Xavi was hospitalized with immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP), a condition where the immune system attacks its own platelets. Her recovery has been a challenging road with high-dose medications, muscle loss, and setbacks.

In the summer of 2023, Xavi had a relapse, and her packed cell volume (PCV) dropped to 7%. Her brother Churro became a hero, donating blood to raise her red cell count and help her recover. With the support of her family and our internal medicine team—including Drs. Amanda Garrick, Sarah Shropshire, and Craig Webb—she began to regain her strength.

Today, we’re thrilled to share that Xavi is thriving! She’s back to doing what she loves, excelling in weekly agility classes. Recently, she competed in her group’s 'Fun Run' trial, earning 🥇 first in jumpers, 🥈 second in standard, and 🥉 third in gamblers and snookers. To celebrate her life, Xavi even goes on a hike every year for her birthday, proudly wearing a floral crown.

We couldn’t be prouder to have been part of Xavi’s incredible story. Her strength and spirit remind us why we do what we do. Here’s to many more slow and steady agility runs or hikes for this remarkable girl! ❤️🐕

12/09/2024

Have you ever wondered what veterinary care was like nearly a century ago? This International Day of Veterinary Medicine, we celebrate the rich legacy of healing and compassion. 🩺💚

📸: 1930, Colorado State University Archives

12/07/2024

Not everything requires two people, but for anesthesia RVTs Kristina and Ryan, most things do.

12/04/2024

Artists make hit singles, but we make lifesaving moments. Our 2024 is one for the charts. Check out how your trust made a chart-topping difference.

12/02/2024

Trauma is the second leading cause of death in dogs in the country, and 10% of dogs or cats come to us with some kind of traumatic injury. That's inspired our emergency and critical care team to do groundbreaking work with a new treatment approach that could help injured pets and humans.

Getting blood transfusions to patients quickly is super important when they're bleeding heavily. But storing blood can be tough, especially in rural areas or small vet clinics. That’s why a freeze-dried blood product that doesn’t need refrigeration would be a game-changer. It would last a lot longer and could be mixed up and given to a patient right when needed, making a huge difference in emergencies.

We’re working with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and a few other institutions. Researchers are looking into how effective these freeze-dried blood products are for dogs with trauma injuries.

The military is also interested in this treatment to help soldiers in the field and their service dogs. Each success gets us closer to using these techniques, which could someday help stabilize injured soldiers and give them a better shot at getting the life-saving care they need.

11/25/2024

Mako was so brave, so well behaved, he was not afraid! As we wrap up , we honor Mako and his incredible fight against cancer.

Two and a half years ago, Mako was diagnosed with primary hepatic T-cell lymphoma, a condition that left his parents heartbroken. With a prognosis of only three months, they couldn’t imagine life without his joyful “screams” whenever he greets his favorite humans.

Mako defied all odds thanks to our oncology, neurology, and urgent care teams. He underwent CHOP chemotherapy— that’s a mix of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone. When the lymphoma decided to spread to his spine, the team jumped into action with a quick plan for radiation. Thanks to their help, he was back on his paws in no time, sporting his adorable dog crocs! 🐾

🌈 💔 After a courageous battle with cancer for several years, Mako has crossed over the rainbow bridge. He will be sorely missed. Mako's story is a testament to the incredible resilience of pets and the power of expert care. He reminds us why every effort is worth it, from joyful hikes to greeting his friends with his famous celebratory screams. Here’s to Mako and every pet facing cancer with tenacity and heart. 💛

11/21/2024

After a challenging journey, Butters—a two-year-old Gypsy Vanner stallion—has returned to his joyful life, thanks to the dedicated care of our Equine Field Services and the Johnson Family Equine Hospital teams.

Following a severe entanglement injury that left him dehydrated and with deep, contaminated leg wounds, Butters first received emergency stabilization from our field team. With pain relief, antibiotics, and meticulous field care, he was made comfortable enough for safe transport to the hospital. Butters was hospitalized and underwent multiple surgeries to treat his wounds, but unfortunately, he developed support limb laminitis. Drs. Kate Kiger and Tom O'Brien performed a deep digital flexor tendon tenotomy and collaborated with a farrier to stabilize his foot after surgery. Thanks to these collaborative efforts, his comfort pony friend, and intensive follow-up care, Butters made a remarkable recovery, showing resilience every step of the way.

Butters is back to enjoying life to the fullest. He’s spending his days getting massages and running around with his pony friend, Kolohe. With his sweet, intelligent, and curious nature, Butters is thriving and loving every moment. As he continues to heal, he’s preparing for a bright future and will begin his career as a breeding stallion next season—a promising new chapter for this remarkable horse.

11/19/2024

Winter is coming, and keeping our equine friends comfortable is a top priority! Charleen is back to share her seasonal tips to help your horse stay warm this season. 🐴❄️

What’s your go-to winter care tip? Share it in the comments below, and let’s help each other keep our horses safe and snug!

11/17/2024

A little teamwork went a long way on Friday! When Poudre Fire Authority was called to rescue a kitten trapped in a dumpster, the situation required careful planning and a helping hand from our emergency veterinarians.

To help the little kitten feel safe, Dr. Amanda Cavanagh gave it a sedative, which allowed the frightened feline to relax. Meanwhile, the rescue team carefully used heavy machinery to bring the kitten to safety. The operation was successful, and this courageous kitty is now recovering in good hands with NOCO Humane.

Thanks to the rescuers for going above and beyond to save a life. 🚒

11/15/2024

Ocean 🤝 Antiqua

Ocean traveled from California to CSU for mitral valve replacement surgery and required a blood transfusion to recover. Her mom shared their journey on social media, expressing immense gratitude and relief. The amazing part? Antiqua’s owner saw the post and realized that her dog had donated the blood that saved Ocean’s life. ❤️

Now, Ocean and Antiqua share a unique bond, a canine friendship born from bravery and kindness. Moments like these remind us of the power of social media and the incredible impact of our blood donor program.

11/13/2024

Introducing Ferris, a 12-year-old terrier mix and our superstar in exploring new horizons for managing canine diabetes! Diagnosed in March, Ferris began showing common signs of diabetes, like a sudden increase in drinking and urination. He’s since become our first patient to join a clinical trial testing degludec, a long-acting basal insulin with promising benefits in both human and veterinary medicine.

Ferris was initially well-controlled on 7 units of degludec once daily, but his journey quickly revealed that he needed a more tailored approach. After facing various challenges, such as cataract surgery that affected his glucose levels due to different medications, his dosage was progressively increased to 8 units twice daily. Thanks to his continuous glucose monitor, Drs. Mei Lun Mui and Jennifer Weng were able to make careful, immediate adjustments and fine-tune his insulin dose almost daily.

As we honor , Ferris’s journey is a testament to how helpful continuous glucose monitoring can be in veterinary medicine. It helped our expert team manage his case with finesse.

11/11/2024

On this Veterans Day, we remember the remarkable story of Sergeant Stubby, a four-legged hero of World War I and one of the most decorated dogs in U.S. military history.

Stubby was just a stray terrier mix when he wandered onto the grounds of Yale University, where soldiers from the 102nd Infantry were training. Private J. Robert Conroy found Stubby and quickly became their mascot, eventually even being smuggled aboard the ship to France during World War I.

This heroic dog saved lives by warning troops of incoming gas attacks, finding wounded soldiers, and even capturing a German spy by holding onto his pants until reinforcements arrived! For his brave service, Stubby was promoted to the honorary rank of Sergeant and received numerous medals, including one personally awarded by General Pershing.

Sergeant Stubby’s legacy reminds us of the courage and loyalty that service members of all kinds bring to their missions. Today, we honor all our veterans, human and animal alike, who have served with bravery and dedication.

11/02/2024

Exciting changes are happening at the Veterinary Health System! We are welcoming new leaders, alongside our experienced team, with a range of newly announced roles. Our commitment to compassionate care, innovative solutions, and strong partnerships across Colorado remains steadfast. Join us as we embark on the next chapter of advancing veterinary medicine at CSU. Here’s to a future filled with progress and breakthroughs! 🐾

Change is on the horizon for Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health System, and it’s an exciting time for the community as they welcome new leaders to the large and small animal hospitals.

11/01/2024

Today kicks off Pet Cancer Awareness Month, and every patient we've lost just fuels our fight even more. Together, let's work toward a future without pet cancer—because they deserve a world where cancer isn't part of the story. 💚