Oak Valley Veterinary Services

09/12/2025

It’s Steve’s first visit to us and he’s already helping support the team

09/09/2025

Turns out pajamas and Crocs are the real power move in veterinary medicine!

Dr. Carroll is jealous she didn’t get the memo from her newest colleague.

08/31/2025

When veterinarians come together, we don’t just share equipment, we share knowledge, skills, perspective, and plenty of laughs!

Each of us brings a different piece of the puzzle, and together we can solve challenges that would be difficult alone.

Friendships in this field builds great partnerships in science. In those moments, when minds and resources come together, that’s when animals get the very best care.

From scoping horses to sea lions 🦭, it’s a privilege to stand alongside colleagues who remind us that veterinary medicine is bigger than any one of us.

As a Veterinarian you should always keep veterinarian friends in your corner who will say yes to crazy things like

“Can we borrow your scope for endoscopy on a sea lion?”

Thank you Oak Valley Veterinary Services for your assistance on this case, and to the amazing Dr. Love for his continued excellence in animal care for all of his patients.

More on this case to come 🦭

08/06/2025

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿.

After being bitten on the nose, Trigger was brought to our clinic with 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆. Thanks to his owner’s quick action, we were able to perform an 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆, allowing him to breathe while the swelling subsided.

He received antivenin, IV fluids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories as part of his treatment.

We’re happy to report that 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 an excellent 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝟰𝟴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 and is now back home with his pasture friends.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆?

Pit viper venom can cause:

-𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗯𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (blood clotting disorders)
-𝗠𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 (muscle damage and tissue death)
-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 (heart damage or failure)
-𝗡𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 (kidney failure)
-𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 (nervous system damage)
-𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.
There is no way to know how much venom was injected, and without treatment, complications can develop quickly.

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 to neutralize venom, reduce pain and swelling, and protect vital organs. Some patients may require multiple doses depending on the severity of envenomation.

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲.

Emergency procedures like a tracheostomy can be intense to witness (lots of blood) but they are often life-saving.

We share cases like this to help owners feel informed and prepared. 𝗜𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

07/16/2025

The continued rain in the Ingram/Hunt area of the Guadalupe River has brought additional challenges for the equine SAR teams working tirelessly in the recovery efforts.

We are incredibly grateful to Aurora Pharmaceutical, Inc. and the coordination support from Texas Equine Veterinary Association for their generous donation of essential veterinary supplies. These products are helping us care for the hardworking horses who’ve been putting in long hours alongside their human partners.

06/07/2025

Big congratulations to Kendra Schuling-Pesek on bringing home the 2025 NRCHA Kimes Ranch Non Pro Derby Championship!

05/21/2025

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆

At Oak Valley Veterinary Services, our mission is to promote the safety and well-being of every animal in our care. We are sharing the following case to raise awareness and help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Recently, Harley, a 12-year-old Maltese, was brought to our clinic in need of emergency care after a routine grooming appointment. During the grooming, elastic bows were placed around the base of her ears — a placement that 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

This restricted circulation acted much like a tourniquet. Unfortunately, by the time Harley reached our clinic, significant tissue damage had occurred, and both ear pinnas had detached on their own due to tissue necrosis. At that stage, surgical repair was no longer possible.

Harley’s owner was unaware of what was happening as a result of the bows:

• The pressure from the bands caused numbness rather than immediate pain, so Harley showed no obvious signs of discomfort.

• Her long hair concealed the bands, making them difficult to notice during routine care at home.

Harley is now receiving appropriate treatment, including pain management and antibiotics, and is expected to recover well physically. Her case is a reminder of the importance of caution when using grooming accessories.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝘁 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼:

• 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. If using accessories, make sure they are attached to fur (like a topknot or tuft) rather than placed around the base of the ears, and that they’re loose enough to avoid constriction.

• 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 to look for anything hidden beneath the coat that could be tight or restrictive.

This was an unfortunate and preventable situation, that we share it in the interest of education.

There are many qualified, professional groomers with extensive knowledge and years of experience. Be sure to research your grooming professionals prior to entrusting them with your pet care. 

-𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 & 𝗗𝗿. 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹
Oak Valley Veterinary Services

05/10/2025

Friendly reminder! Chewy, Valley Vet, 1800 Pet Meds and other publicly traded online veterinary pharmacies are not out there sponsoring your local T-Ball teams! Shop local !

04/26/2025

The Work Truck Rides Again!

After weeks in the shop, the work truck is finally back in action.

Let me be real for a minute: IF I hear one more complaint about the price of ranch calls (lookin’ at you, now-former client), we’re gonna have a full-on TED Talk about what it takes to keep this rig on the road and the inefficiencies that come with doing ranch calls.

Friendly reminder — we have a facility. We have many patients and task to perform at that facility. Ranch calls are a service we offer for your convenience, not ours.

We cover a huge area, deliver top-tier, in-depth care, and manage a heavy caseload with ONE vet.

So if you can’t be understanding, feel free to be elsewhere.

To all of our amazing clients who have been supportive, patient, and empathetic about the rollercoaster of running a veterinary business — THANK YOU. Seriously. Y’all are the best.

Love y’all,

– Dr. Carroll

04/24/2025

"Veterinary-informed considerations for Prescription and Controlled Drug Use."
To read the full article click the link below!

https://myewa.org/veterinary-informed-considerations-for-prescription-and-controlled-drug-use-an-informational-resource-for-ewa-members/

04/21/2025

Help Us Save Jazz 💙

We’re reaching out for your support on behalf of a longtime beloved patient—Jazz. This gentle and cherished “Blue Valentine” mare is adored by all at Oak Valley Veterinary Services.

Recently, Jazz suffered a wound to her hind pastern after becoming entangled in a slick wire fence. Tragically, that seemingly small injury quickly escalated into a septic tendon sheath, which poses a significant risk to her life.

Jazz is not alone in this fight; she has her young foal by her side, who depends on her for comfort, nourishment, and love. This brave mama is displaying remarkable strength, and cooperation but she urgently needs intensive care and support to heal.

The expense on a case like this is significant. While the owner and Dr. Carroll are doing everything we can to provide her with the care she needs, we cannot do it without your help.

Ways to Give:

**Venmo:** You can send donations directly to our Venmo account: -Carroll

**Phone:** Call/Text our clinic at (830) 998-3883 to make a donation directly to our Angel Fund, which supports critical care for animals like Jazz.

**Check:** Contributions can also be mailed to P.O. Box 983, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.

No contribution is too small. Your generosity can make a lasting impact on Jazz’s recovery and ensure her foal has a future with his mother by their side. Please consider donating and sharing Jazz's story with others.

From all of us at Oak Valley, we sincerely thank you for your compassion and support.

04/16/2025

We’ve waited 5️⃣ years for this sight!

Chica (Ultra Smart Spook) was holding out for perfection with this Hazardouz Material c**t!

This kind maiden mare gave us a mid-afternoon foaling with ease!