Countryside Mobile Veterinary Services

04/19/2025

PSA rabies in the region!!! Please remember all mammals should be vaccinated for rabies. Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Horses, Dogs, Cats, Llamas, Alpacas, etc please.
Rabies is 100% fatal if your dog or cat is exposed and not vaccinated you are looking at euthanasia or an extremely expensive behavioral altering confiscation in a rabies facility for 6 months! It’s heart breaking and our region is ALWAYS one of the top in the US for cases!!

04/05/2025

I put extended this warning out almost a year ago so this should not be a surprise to anyone!
I will and have been implementing this new billing procedure already but not to the extent that I really should have.
ANY large animal client that is not considered a “routine client” this mean we are NOT doing any of the following pregnancy checks, hoof trims, vaccines, herd health visits (where we check all animals FAMCHA scores, hooves, check for lice, etc a true THOROUGH herd health exam), multiple disbudings, multiple castrations, services such as those. But instead we are basically only seeing your animals when they are sick or there is an emergency. At this time you WILL be charged a HEFTY emergency fee.
The reason for this change is this is an ABUSE and dishonor of my veterinary education and YEARS of experience (that no weekend class is ever going to be even close to the equivalent) this is what is causing the LACK of LARGE ANIMAL VETS nation wide! Why put up with all the things I do when I could work in a cozy clinic and make 4-8 TIMES what I am making now. If you feel that you are more capable than a veterinarian at doing ultrasounds or think blood test are acceptable replacements (ESPECIALLY in small ruminants where knowing if there are multiple fetuses if VITAL) you are discrediting the knowing that I’ve spent getting a veterinary degree, doing tens of thousands pregnancy checks in both cattle and especially small ruminants. Not even counting that I’ve been working in the field for longer than I have not (since I was 13 years old!) That we are just there to be at your beck and call you are sadly mistake. For these clients I will also not be providing free text/phone/message consults they will be charged at a per message rate or how long it takes to reply whichever is more expensive. The abuse will stop now. I THOUGHT I had wonderful clients that appreciated me but it is apparent this is not the case. Another note blood draws for state lab panels DO NOT COUNT as routine services as we provide this basically at cost to encourage testing of herds.
For all the clients which is the VAST majority that appreciate our services we will continue to provide our services as we always have.
This post has been in my mind to post for several months now, so any timing to any clients I have seen in the last few weeks is coincidental.
I don’t think that yall understand that many vet including myself have around $600,000 in student dept and the AVERAGE income for a large animal vet is $68,000. We actually pay the highest liability insurance work in all types of weather, on holidays and in all hours. If you have an ultrasound or blood testing for pregnancies fine it’s fun but it is NOT an alternative to a true veterinary pregnancy exam. Same with FAMACHAs, vaccines (we absolutely recommend rabies vaccine in most all animals in the region), or even a proper hoof trim or exam.
I would like to thank the support of my true clients and even my new clients I continue to get.
Please remember I am not obligated to do any work I don’t feel I have a valid veterinary client patient relationship which even written within the law requires trust. And if I have lost trust in you as an owner, you may be searching for a new veterinarian.
I left and declined many many jobs that pay more, offer benefits, give vacations, don’t require on call work for the practice I have built. I am proud of what I have done. I am proud to help the food and fiber animal community but if you are not going to respect me don’t expect to get the warmest of welcomes.
New clients please discuss and ask about if you will be changed an emergency fee.
Many times for first time clients we do not charge this fee but there are exceptions so always feel free to ask form a quote.
Thank you
Dr. Saintsing, Owner

03/28/2025

Heads up everyone with the wildfires in the country Wilkes county Stone Mountain region area smoke blowing over parks or most of Alleghany, Ashe, Wilkes, Surry I want to take this moment to warn those with small ruminants ESPECIALLY goats to watch for signs of respiratory problems (coughing, depressed acting, snotty nose, running eyes, fever >103.5-104 depending just ask text and discuss with me) because as I’ve seen from other large forest fires in our region (Pilot Mountain and Sourtown Mountain fires) they are extremely prone to developing pneumonia from even the distant smoke pushed into the areas’ air. These animal can also display symptoms of allergies similar to humans (respiratory signs) so sometimes it can be very hard to differentiate between the two. Unfortunately pneumonia can be fast to come on and fast to kill again especially in goats. So monitor your sheep and goats carefully during this time. If you are concerned reach out (text is best) to me. I’ve lost some dearly love by both me and obviously my clients patients from pneumonia cause by smoke from forest fires it’s very very sad and hurts especially when you’ve done all the things. Prevention is difficult beyond a living home type environment/ moving away from the area so early detection is key PLEASSE UTLIZE ME!!! I can’t be everywhere at once and i do have to sleep TRUST ME you want me well rested but as any client of mine knows i am a text away from help/advice. Thank you AGAIN to our first responders for fighting these fires and those helping them! Remember we have VOLUNTEER departments, these guys could just as easily be home watching TV. And I know it seems like our region is playing natural disaster bingo but we will be mountain strong, we alway have always will. Love yall! Stay SAFE!

Screen graph from WXII news channel 12

02/14/2025

Due to multiple road closures from the major ice storm and extremely high rate of emergency calls (hi full moon) I have not been able to text everyone back today. I will get all info to you by tomorrow. If you have not heard from me by the evening please send another reminder text.
Thank you.
Dr. Saintsing

01/29/2025

****Its that time of year again***
Pepé Le Pew is on his lustful rounds again.
On my way home from a late night call last night (we’ve brought babies into this world every day at least once a day for the past week on emergency) a skunk crossed my path and this set me up to remind you this ESPECIALLY February is skunk mating season. So before letting your dogs outside turn your lights on for at least 10 minutes and in that time make multiple banging type sounds to encourage the lustful critters to head another direction. Here are some other good tips you can use to help. Skunk of products can be purchased via our online pharmacy as it’s an over the counter product that works amazingly well!! Also please remember that during these times seeing these animals out during different times of the day is normal and not a sign of illness (this is rarely a good indicator of anything besides for an animal needing to relocate from one place to another and not illness).

***PSA***

Late January, February and early March is skunk matting season! It’s not unusual or a sign of any disease to see skunks especially this time of year out and about even during the day. To help reduce the risk of your pet getting sprayed by Pepe Le Pew you can try these tips!

*Turn on your outside lights and make some noise about 3-5 minutes prior to letting your pets outside.
*Keep attractants like cat food, compost piles, garbage where it will not attract wildlife.
*Closing off areas that could act as shelter for these love seeking critters.

If your pet does get sprayed
*Wash pet quickly as possible with 1qt of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 teaspoon of Dawn Dish Liquid and 1/4 cup of baking soda.
*For between the eyes, around the mouth and ears we recommend Skunk off Squirter! Which you can order via our online pharmacy
* For your house placing ground cinnamon on a baking sheet and baking it in the oven with the door open (keep animals and children out of kitchen)
*For future baths skunk off shampoo is the best!
*Vanilla (ESPECIALLY Pet Oder Brand) candles also help with skunk odor in your home/indoor spaces.
*Dont forget that rarely skunk spray can cause toxicity in pets! It’s important to have your pet seen for bloodwork if you notice your pet acting sluggish, if their gums are pale, breathing heavy, etc!
*Direct sprays to eyes can cause significant irritation that requires veterinary attention.

01/19/2025

It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Dora Sue Smith today. She always supported me, had a smile on her face and a story about her cats to tell me. She and David are a beautiful love story one can only wish for everyone. Dora Sue thank you for all you did and we promise to help John take care of your kitty. ❤️ James and I will miss seeing yall on our evenings out.
- Karen Saintsing

01/04/2025

Due to the winter storm it will not be until roads are plowed and ice has had a chance to melt that I will be able to venture out (we live on a multiple rather large hills making transport to below the mountain no matter how nice there sometimes not safe. I just got my truck back in fixed condition. We still have a roof and porch at minimum to fix from the hurricane we are not pushing out luck this year.

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.