Countryside Mobile Veterinary Services

12/03/2024

Hy all my wonderful clients it’s a little early but don’t have ducks that non longer produce, or Easter gifts no longer wanted and are a burden? Know someone likely to get ducklings for the upcoming Easter (yes we know that’s a few holidays away). Dr.
Saintsing has for years taken the unwanted Easter cast offs or the older non productive (not that ducks are ever very productive egg wise) to a beautiful scenic pond where they are loved, fed expensive waterfowl food and have huge pond to swim around on. We prefer to wait to around May to obtain these ducks but if you have some that are in need of a home now we will take them and give them they best possible home. We really prefer to not take Pekin ducks since they are so suitable to disease are are not the brightest colors in the duck crayon box but if you have one and it desperately needs a home we won’t say no. Obviously we would prefer vaccinated single sourced ducklings but there are so many that need loving homes we usually take them first. We are also looking for two geese pair bonded any breed as long as they are full of goose grump they would be welcome as well. With us all poultry have a full hospital including an incubator, oxygen capabilities, round the clock care (this is for our own animals only not open for client animals did to state inspection laws). So if you know of a quacker that might fit the bill please let us know and we will arrange pickup preferably when around may.

Thank you
And I know it’s early but bunnies and ducks and animals really of any kind are not “presents” to be given away to children without thought of their future and what happens when they grow up.

Thank you - the best clients one vet could ever ask for and please don’t forget I am not currently available through at least the 16th due to my vet trucks hurricane damage being repaired. I have decided after last years events I am leaving during this time as to not be temped to try things I have no business trying without my vet trucks. I would MUCH rather be working and I will be back working in time for lambing and kidding ASAP!

11/28/2024

****ATTENTION CLIENTS*****

December 4-16th my truck will be undergoing major repair due to the damage sustained by the hurricane.
Since I can’t work without my truck I decided to take a family break so will be completely gone during this time. I am sorry for the inconvenience, Mother Nature is unrelenting and unforgiving. We are sorry for the inconvenience but this is what I felt was best for both me and my clients. I love you all for your support and am heartbroken that this time was literally taken away from me but I promise I will be there for you as much as possible.

11/23/2024

Just a helpful hint: the BEST way to help you large animal be they cow, sheep, goat, llama, alpaca, horse or even a small animal like a rabbit or guniea pig is to make sure they have access to large amounts of high quality hay! (Not alfalfa hay, GRASS hay) this will allow the compartment in their digestive system that causes fermentation to work harder and just like fermentation in the process of making hard liquors you may have seen at brewery’s or tourist attractions in Gatlinburg, fermentation creates an incredible amount of heat! This heat will naturally help you beloved friends stay nice and toasty despite it being chilly outside. It’s also the reason many times you will see them acting more playful when it’s slightly colder than what us humans find “fun”. That rumination vat works all year so the cool can be like a welcome slightly cool fall day for them. Obviously animals in need of higher protein intake may also need grains but if you have a pet ewe, wether, buck/ram that does not have a LARGE volume of females to breed over long ranges, very young animal, very old animal, sick animal or compromised animal for some reason then only large volumes of grass hay are needed.
And always remember PLEASE DONT FEED BOY GOATS GRAIN!!! Alfalfa is more complicated and unless a nutritionist is involved or there is a VERY good reason for feeding it, it should be avoided as well.
Also remember especially for pig owners to make sure to check that you animal has water available ALL day. There are very safe heating water buckets that can help but even hours of time without access to water can cause a condition called “salt toxicity” basically causes an imbalance of salt between the brain and the rest of the body to when they get access to water again it will cause an swelling of the brain that despite even expensive and aggressive treatment is almost always fatal. Over night, or a work shift without water especially in a pig is more than enough time for this to occur. We usually see at least one of these a year and it’s always horrible, it’s always accidental and it never ends well.
And even though we don’t really see horses here is a wonderful flow chart on if you should blanket your horses in the winter made by Dr. Saintsing’s Clinical Vet School Auburn University! This easily applies to goats and sheep with the exception to remember that especially goats are already prone to getting themselves into trouble without the addition of a blanket with multiple straps and things that can be caught onto other objects.

10/05/2024

****Make sure your animals are vaccinated for Rabies****

10/03/2024

I Dr. Saintsing talked personally with one of the regional heads of the department of agriculture veterinary division. I was able to get a lot of information that I had not seen ANYWHERE on social media. We talked at length and it was confirmed right now most of the need and resources are still going to help basic human needs. Finding humans missing, getting supplies to those still cut completely off from the rest of society, getting regulations put on hold so farmers can use alternative sources of fuel to work, and on and on and on.
For ANYONE in need of livestock feed the upper mountain research station has a LOT of supplies you should be able to get everything you need from there. Please let other livestock owners know this information.
For small animals I personally have been in touch with Purina manufacturing company. We are working to get a donation of PET food to ALLEGHANY county asap. I also discussed with them the need in Ashe county and they are going to be working at helping Ashe residents get a good quality pet food.
I also reached out to one of the veterinarians leading the way in food related cardiac deaths to find out about other brands of food. Basically obviously starvation>heart disease but if your only option is not one of the 5 veterinary recommended brand of food (Purina, Hills Scince Diet, Royal Canin, Iams, or Eukenuba) you can still feed you animal that without major concern of cardiac disease for 4 weeks. I would honestly do my best to avoid feeding these foods at all but again avoiding starvation is the goal right now!
Most livestock seem to have been able to find their way to safe locations or perished during the worst of the hurricane. Right now there has not been any request for livestock veterinarians in any of the affected N.C. areas at a government level. Some individuals may be doing their own thing especially on the equine side, but the sad fact is humans are still being found alive and in need of urgent care and it is suspected that within the coming weeks this will change. I personally have made my services open for the local rescue squad if needed and at the state level. Several large drug manufacturers have stated they are to donate drugs and supplies needed but it was not known by my contact how these drugs were distributed or obtained. We are working on finding that information out.
Any time I get new information about anything animal related I will let all yall know. Please please share this information because I feel not many are aware where help is and that anyone is even working on getting farmers and pet owners needs met.
I have included a screenshot of the address and phone number of the upper mountain research center for anyone that may need it.

09/30/2024

So we are able to resume calls. Unfortunately there may be times where Dr. Saintsing has to be at various places dealing with the results of the damage to her house, property and car. Also please keep in mind that many roads are still closed. We have reached out to the local rescue squad to offer services for emergency situations. But please try to keep text to urgent/emergent issues only. Right now with so much going on Dr. Saintsing has a lot on her plate and if you have questions that can wait please write them down to ask her later. We will also continue to not respond to messages that are addressed in our voicemail.
So as clearly stated in our voicemail and Facebook messages we are not set up or capable to handle small animal urgent or emergent issues. You need to call the 24/7 small animal emergency clinic or your regular vet; we do not do any equine work beyond basic vaccines (we still recommend you develop a relationship with an equine veterinarian that can help you in emergency situations); and finally we are not taking any wildlife at this time. We will not respond to any messages regarding these things as they have already be addressed in our voicemail/facebook messages. Dr. Saintsing gets hundreds of text a day these text that have been obviously addressed in the voicemail take time away from other messages from people that we can actually help and address their emergencies.
We are well aware this is a very stressful time for everyone, including Dr. Saintsing so please be mindful that we ALL are doing the best we can. For those that have suffered damage there are several options out there to help you navigate FEMA and insurance. Below are a couple of screengrabs of these sources.

09/27/2024

Well life has other plans no matter how much you try to more plan. Unfortunately a tree hit Dr.
Saintsing’s house and truck. So we will not be able to go to the sheep and goat festival as planned tomorrow as we will be working on minimizing further damage and getting everything else we can done.
We apologize for the inconvenience and that we have let down.

09/27/2024

Please note that due to flooding the areas we can get to are greatly reduced. Also usually the roads coming on/off the mountain usually experience a higher than normal amount of wrecks so during this storm our ability to get to certain areas may be hindered or not possible. Please remember to use caution when driving and working. Also please check of livestock and make sure they have not got trapped in an unsafe area due to flooding!
Also thank you to all the hard working farmers who have to work and feed livestock, check fences, etc in this weather. They are always the true heroes!

Also don’t forget about the Greatest Of All Time Sheep and Goat Festival in Dublin Virginia THIS SATURDAY!! Dr. Saintsing is the official Veterinarian! Unfortunately she was planning on bringing at least one of her sheep Margaret for everyone to meet but the weather had other plans and Margaret only travels with a chauffeur while lying on the back seat of a car so she can watch the other “servants” (that’s what she calls people) pass by and she will not be clean enough to transport that way. But there will be plenty of other amazing attractions and sheep and goats to see.

08/31/2024

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let everyone know that text has been very erratic recently also voicemail has been erratic as how long it allows people to speak for months and can’t be fixed at least so far. As far as we are aware the text messages should be fixed as of right now.
Also as it says in our voicemail we do not/can not see small animal urgent/emergent services (we are not equipped to provide these services) follow the detailed instructions in voicemail we will not respond to any text/voicemails about such matters. We already receive 100’s of text/voicemail/messages a day we have to triage. The exact same rules apply to wildlife calls/text/messages at this time.
We are sorry for anyone inconvenience the interruption of services has affected.
Video of some extra special sheep getting some extra special treats.

08/08/2024

Our region is always one of the highest in the US for rabies! Please remember any mammal can carry the disease!

07/11/2024

***LECTURE TOMORROW (July 11th)!!!***

Dr. Saintsing will be at the Surry County Ag. Extension Building tomorrow at 6pm giving a lecture on Sheep and Goat Hisbandry. The lecture will hit on a little bit of everything about sheep and goats!

Address: 915 E Atkins St. in Dobson, NC
Time: 6PM

If any current clients are in need of medications this would be an optimal time for a pick up, just make sure to send us a text or message so we can make sure she has any meds needed. 

06/20/2024

Please note that Dr. Saintsing will be gone for the next week starting today for continuing education.
For food animal veterinary emergencies please contact Virginia Tech Veterinary School at 540-231-9043 even though we never regularly provide equine emergency services you can also use the same number if you have an equine emergency. Again we do NOT ever provide small animal urgent or emergency services but if you are needing such services you can contact Carolina Vet Specialist at 336-896-0902.
For established clients you may text Dr. Saintsing with any questions but please realize response maybe delayed >24 hours, though she will try to check text messages regularly.

05/03/2024

Large Animal Practice Services Update
We are now implementing emergency fees to any sick/emergency calls we see for anyone who does not use us for routine care (pregnancy checks, hoof trims, vaccines, herd health visits, etc) at least yearly.
This will be implemented immediately. If you have only used our services for emergency cases only know that there will be a significant emergency fee added to these calls no matter the time or day. We love our clients and providing help when needed but feel that our most outstanding clients need to be rewarded for their professional relationship with us. If anyone has any questions please text or message us as always. As always thank you for being amazing clients.
Our little lamb Freddie Mercury all grown up! Okay well a little more growing to do but no longer a “vet truck lamb” we miss him. 😓

04/25/2024

***If you plan on selling/buying/showing/traveling for any reason with a dairy breed, testing is REQUIRED by federal law before this can be done***

USDA is now ordering all dairy cattle must be tested prior to interstate travel as a way to help stop the spread of HPAI H5N1. This comes a day after FDA confirmed virus genetic material was found in retail milk samples.

04/09/2024

Hey friends I just wanted to show you something all large animal vets run into constantly. We call it “Vet Racing”.
Reaching out to multiple vets to see who can get there first. This is completely unprofessional and degrading. Most of the time we are on farm calls that will take us at minimum an hour usually multiple hours. So unless it’s a true emergency and what I am working on is something I can stop doing (i can’t stop in the middle of a surgery and just leave for one example) it’s going to be a few hours before I can get out there. Same with ANY OTHER VET! Believe it or not we are not sitting around just waiting for you to call. We have other clients that have scheduled weeks or more commonly months ahead of time to get me to their farm. These are established clients that I consider part of my family. As any vet I have talked to around town and they will tell you how much I pride myself on the quality of my clients. They will calmly wait on me to be done with what I am working on and move on to them. They know in an emergency situation I’ll do my best to get out there asap, they also know that I will tell them when it is NOT a true emergency meaning I will still come out but I will deal with my other clients first then do them.
I will not vet race, if you want someone out and they can come out in 2 hours then wait the two hours. Obviously that person is your first choice and I am not going to be so rude to them as to go on a call that they are already rescheduling their entire day to go see. That is not how I treat my colleagues! We all have excellent relationships. Now if a colleague has told you to reach out to me to see if I can come instead please tell me those exact words were said. I can’t read minds in person or especially across 5g internet.
I am super picky about what clients I take on and y’all are some of the most amazing people a vet could call their clients. I am so proud of that, it’s truly made my life better. But if you are wanting to be a client this is not a good way to start. 

You have to click on the picture to see the full message