Seven Springs Mobile Veterinary Services

01/24/2025

We look forward to hearing from you!

📞 828-222-0477.
Calling is the best way to reach us for emergencies, especially outside of regular business hours.

💬 We are happy to connect over text message for non-urgent matters. Responses will be made, as available, during business hours.

For scheduling, questions, or general inquiries, you may text, email, or use our online inquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Please note, messaging over social media is not recommended!

🐄🐎 We appreciate all current, and prospective, clients and their animals!

01/23/2025

"Is your horse moving a bit off? 🐴 Here’s how to tell if your horse might be lame:

1️⃣ Uneven Gait: A horse experiencing pain in its hoof or leg will try to minimize weight on that affected limb. To do this, they’ll take shorter, quicker steps with that leg, resulting in an uneven gait.
2️⃣ Head Bobbing: When a horse has an uneven gait or favors one foot, it causes their head to move more noticeably up and down with each stride, especially at the walk and trot.
3️⃣ Heat in Hoof or Leg: This may indicate inflammation from issues like abscesses, laminitis, or founder. If there’s no heat in the hoof, check the leg, especially around the back and knee, as tendon or ligament issues can cause lameness. Remember, not all lameness is visible—conditions like arthritis, bruised hooves, or neurological issues may not show heat but still cause lameness.
4️⃣ Not Extending the Leg Completely: A lame horse may appear to shuffle or take shorter strides than usual.

⚠️ This is not an exhaustive list, as many factors contribute to lameness. Contact your vet for a full physical and lameness evaluation, which may include flexion tests, palpation, hoof exams, nerve blocks, radiographs, and more. ⚠️

828-222-0477

01/21/2025

Did you know? Pregnancy lengths vary across farm animals. Each one is unique, just like the little ones they bring into the world!

If you need a pregnancy check, we have mobile ultrasound to get the job done.
828-222-0477.

01/17/2025

🐐 Expecting goat kids? Here are some signs that labor may be near. Stay alert and be ready to assist if needed.

✔️ Discharge - This occurs close to labor. You may see white goopy discharge (as goat loses mucous plug). Discharge can start as early as a month prior to labor.
✔️ Swollen and Loose V***a - As she gets closer to labor, the v***a will be slightly open.
✔️ Different Behaviors - In the beginning stages of labor, the goat may start standing alone or away from others. She may be more or less affectionate, more or less vocal.
✔️Milk Bags Become Full - Close to labor, the bags will begin to fill up and become tight. Sometimes this happens after birth, but not often.
✔️ Getting Up and Down - As she experiences contractions, she might seem to get up and lay back down more frequently. During contractions, she may also arch her back and tail.
✔️ Tail Ligaments Disappear - Starting along the spine near the hips, there are ligaments that branch off on both sides of the spine. These loosen and disappear. This means labor is usually withing 1-2 days.

Tips:
💡Knowing your breeding date as this is the best predictor of when labor should occur. Intervening too early can be detrimental to the doe and kid.
💡It is most beneficial to leave the doe alone during labor.
💡When a kid is coming out in the proper position, you will see the two front feet first. Do not try to pull.
💡Ensure the doe and her kids are in a safe and confined space.
💡Keep an eye to be sure the kids are nursing, accepted by the doe, and staying warm and dry.

Signs of Trouble:
⚠️Milk Fever (hypocalcemia)
⚠️Toxemia
⚠️Ketosis
⚠️Mastitis
⚠️Prolapsed uterus

828-222-0477.

01/16/2025

We’d love to hear from you! 🐴🐄

If we’ve had the privilege of caring for your large animals, we’d be grateful if you could leave a review of your experience. Your feedback helps us continue providing top-notch veterinary care! 💙

Thank you for trusting us with your animals’ health! 🌟

01/13/2025

Seven Springs Vet is thrilled to announce this great achievement! We look forward to continuing to serve Alexander, Wilkes, Catawba, Iredell, Watauga, Alleghany, and Ashe counties!

01/09/2025

Regular veterinary visits are an investment in the long-term health and productivity of your herd. The result? A healthier herd and a more profitable farm operation.

➡️ Early Disease Detection - many diseases in livestock show subtle symptoms early on which can be easily missed by the untrained eye. Diseases such as mastitis, pneumonia, or parasites can be identified during routine vet visits.

➡️ Prevention Through Vaccination - your vet can ensure all animals are up to date on their vaccinations, protecting the herd from highly contagious or deadly diseases such as viral respiratory or diarrhea diseases and influenza.

➡️ Parasite Management - internal and external parasites can severely affect the health and productivity of livestock and can lead to weight loss, lethargy, and other infections. Regular vet visits allow for parasite screening and timely deworming.

➡️ Improved Breeding Success - regular reproductive health check-ups can optimize breeding strategies such as detecting issues such as hormonal imbalances, poor semen quality, infertility, or other health issues.

➡️ Preventing Antibiotic Resistance - overuse or improper use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance which made infections harder to treat. Accurate diagnosis and treatment help maintain herd health and reduce treatment cost.

➡️ Nutritional Guidance - a veterinarian can assess the nutritional needs of your herd and recommend changes which is especially important during different stages of life (pregnant, lactating, or growing animals). Poor nutrition can lead to slowed growth, health issues, and even reproductive failures.

➡️ Regular Health Monitoring - conditions such as arthritis, foot rot or chronic mastitis can go unnoticed and regular vet visits can help monitor these conditions and adjust care plans over time.

Give us a call today. 828-222-0477

01/08/2025

When it comes to the health and well-being of our animals, vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have. While it’s natural to be skeptical, the science behind animal vaccines is simple: they help prevent deadly diseases that can devastate our livestock and pets. Vaccines protect not just individual animals, but entire herds or flocks, ensuring better productivity, fewer sick animals, and healthier environments. They can save you money by reducing the need for costly treatments and lost animals.

Here is a breakdown of the role of vaccinations in large animal health:
1️⃣ Disease Prevention - Common diseases prevented include:

🐄 Cattle - Bovine respiratory disease (BRD), Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), Blackleg, Leptospirosis
🐑 Sheep/Goats - Bluetongue, Ovine pneumonia, Caseous lymphadenitis, and Clostridial diseases (tetanus, blackleg).
🐎 Horses - Equine influenza, Tetanus, West Nile Virus, Rabies, Rhinopneumonitis, Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis
🐖 Pigs - Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), Swine influenza, Erysipelas

2️⃣Reduced Risk of Disease Outbreaks - when a sufficient number of animals are vaccinated, it helps protect the entire herd or flock by reducing the likelihood of disease spread (herd immunity).

3️⃣ Improved Productivity and Profitability - By preventing disease with vaccination, you reduce the need for costly treatments, hospitalizations, and the potential for animal deaths. You are also likely to have healthier animals that lead to higher milk, meat, and wool yields.

Let’s embrace proven solutions that make our farms and communities healthier for everyone.

828-222-0477

01/06/2025

🐐⚠️ Goat Birthing Complications: Know When to Call the Vet! ⚠️🐐

While most goat births go smoothly, there are some potential complications that require quick attention. Here’s what to watch for and when to contact your vet:

1️⃣ Dystocia (Difficult Birth): If the kid is stuck or if the doe is in labor without progress, or has actively been pushing for 30 minutes without delivery, it could be a sign of dystocia. Don’t hesitate to call us for assistance.

2️⃣ Prolonged Labor: If your doe is straining for more than 30 minutes without delivering, or if there’s no progress after the first kid is born, it could indicate a problem.

3️⃣ Retained Placenta: If the placenta isn’t passed within 12 hours after birth, this can cause infections or other serious health issues. Contact your vet immediately if this happens.

4️⃣ Lack of Appetite or Energy: If the doe isn’t eating or drinking after birth, it could be a sign of infection or complications. It’s important to get her checked out.

5️⃣ Unresponsive or Weak Kids: If the kids aren’t breathing, are too weak to nurse, or seem lethargic, they may need immediate care.

Always trust your instincts! If you’re unsure, it’s better to contact your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Your doe and kids deserve the best care to ensure a happy, healthy start.

828-222-0477

01/02/2025

Hello to all the new followers on our pages. Meet Dr. Elliott Millinor, who is the face behind Seven Springs Vet!

01/01/2025

The holidays are a time to celebrate, but they don't stop the needs of our farm animals! Whether it's cold weather, feeding schedules, or health concerns, our animals depend on us every day.

As we enjoy the festivities, let's remember that their care continues around the clock. Don't forget to stay in touch with your veterinarian for any questions or emergencies – our expertise ensures the well-being of your animals. 🐄🐑

Stay safe, stay caring, and let's make sure our animals are well taken care of, no matter the season! 🌟

828-222-0477

12/30/2024

FAMACHA scoring is an important factor of herd and individual animal health. We always teach this to new goat/sheep owners. If you are familiar with the FAMACHA method, use this as a reminder to go check your herd this month! Want to learn more? Call us out for a herd health consultation.

828-222-0477.

12/27/2024

12/23/2024

Goats are amazing creatures known for their adaptability! However, they are susceptible to various health issues.

Parasitic infections are one of the most common issues that pose a significant health threat to your goat. Goats may become infected with internal parasites such as coccidia, roundworms, tapeworms, or barber pole worms, or external parasites such as lice, mites, and ticks.

Symptoms to look out for include anemia, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, skin irritation, and hair loss. Regular f***l testing is highly recommended to identify the presence and severity of internal parasite infections.

During your herd health consultation with Dr. Elliott, you will learn about strategic deworming, proper grazing management, nutrition deficiencies, reproductive disorders, respiratory diseases, and more to keep your goat(s) healthy.

828-222-0477

12/21/2024

Happy First Day of Winter! Even though we have experienced cold temps this fall, winter is likely to bring more.

>Ensure you have completed fall deworming protocol to lessen parasite load and have obtained fall booster shots to prevent sickness and diseases.

>Staying warm requires extra calories to maintain proper body weight. Increase forage first. As the gut ferments hay/forage, the process generates heat which increases body temperature.

>Young, old, thin, or clipped horses benefit from blanketing. Most horses don’t need blankets if they are in good health and grow a winter coat. Be sure the blanket fits correctly, is not in need of repair, and has the right amount of weight/insulation for your horse.

>Your horse will need to drink more water during the winter to avoid colic and dehydration. Ensure proper access to water and consider a tank heater. Purchase salt blocks to encourage thirst.

>Schedule a vet check. This is a good time to check body condition, obtain an oral exam, and evaluate feet.

828-222-0477.

12/20/2024

All veterinarians require a valid VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient-Relationship). A VCPR is established when a veterinarian examines your animal(s) in person and is maintained through regularly/yearly vet visits. A VCPR is required by NC state and federal regulations.

Veterinarians cannot prescribe or dispense medications without an active and valid VCPR.

828-222-0477.

12/19/2024

Alpacas, llamas, and camels! We love servicing our camelid friends.

Did you know camelids have three chambered stomachs, two-toed feet, and true canine teeth?

Dental problems are one of the main reasons camelid owners contact a veterinarian. Signs of dental problems may be weight loss, dropping feed, pain with chewing, or protrusion of incisors beyond the dental pad or lip. Dr. Elliott often will balance the incisors and trim the fighting teeth (if present).

Call today to schedule a yearly wellness exam. 828-222-0477.