Friend Veterinary Services LLC

10/07/2024

Happy National Farriers week to all farriers especially those who keep all our clients’ horses trimmed, balanced, and/or shod so darn well! Our horses would not be the same or nearly as sound, without your knowledge and hard work! Have a great week dedicated to you!

22/06/2024

Anyone around the Carrollton, OH area, please keep your eyes on the sky for Mr. Chicken. We met his family this morning at the fairgrounds on the search for him. They miss him and would love to have him back home in the nice cool A/C.

01/06/2024

It’s a beautiful weekend to have a horse camp! The three of us at FVS had the opportunity to provide a vaccination/wellness clinic at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds during the Jefferson 4-H camp. Drs Rutan and Liggett provided a demonstration to the campers on equine first-aid, bandaging, and colic and what can be done until their animals can be seen. Thank you for the opportunity Jefferson County 4-H, we hope you left with a little more preparation in handing some common equine issues.

26/04/2024

What better way to celebrate it being a beautiful, sunny Friday than to receive this photo from our two new, soon to be doctors, Maria and Cole. They are only a week away from taking their veterinary oath and becoming Dr. Rutan and Dr. Liggett. We cannot be any more proud and excited for them to start, and bring their new, fresh knowledge of veterinary medicine here to our loyal clients in the Ohio Valley! For all your large animal needs there will soon be three of us for you and your herds! We can be reached at 740-491-2685 to schedule, and please note, we have been very busy lately (Why we need these two!) so please be patient and know all calls are triaged and emergencies will take priority. Have a great weekend, and again, congratulations to these two on their successful completion of vet school (20th grade!)!!

26/03/2024

When we were celebrating our 5 year anniversary, we said to stay tuned for some big news, well, HERE IT IS!! Continue to stay with us for more to come as time goes on, but we are very excited to share what we've been working so hard on!
As always, thank you to all our loyal clients, we couldn't do any of this without your support!

04/03/2024

Hard to believe it has been 5 years since Friend Veterinary Services began serving the Ohio Valley! Thank you to all of our clients who have entrusted us with caring for your animals!

29/01/2024

Thought I would share a case from an exciting Sunday night. This little heifer presented last night for "something coming out of its head," as her owner said. So, after examination, it was determined this calf has what is called exencephaly. This is a condition in large animals where the brain, meninges (layers of tissue protecting the brain), or both can pop out from a defect in the skull. This little heifer was normal based upon a neurologic exam, however if this tissue is left open to the environment it means certain death. Examination did reveal a small hole at the base of the tissue leading directly into the skull as well. The calf did not exhibit any neurologic abnormalities with manipulation of the tissue, so her owners elected to attempt closure of the hole and removal of some of the tissue to cover the remaining in order to protect it from the environment. Unfortunately this little calf did not recover well from anesthesia and did not make it. So, not the ending we were hoping for, but a very interesting case nonetheless. The cause of exencephaly is not directly known but there has been some evidence to suggest if pregnant animals are exposed to high levels of Vitamin A this can be result in their offspring. This herd is fed a balanced ration so the cause in this little heifer's case is unknown and could be congenital.

21/12/2023

It’s that time of the year where we are all trying to get ready for the holidays while still managing a busy work schedule. If you’ve tried calling the past couple days and have had trouble getting ahold of Dr. Friend please understand the trip north to make sure Santa’s crew is ready for their busy night is a long one and full of areas without cell service. Good news, the big guy in red is good to go and ready for his long night of deliveries. His reindeer are ready for all their carrots and won’t leave behind any illnesses, just the happiness and joy that goes along with everything under your tree! Merry Christmas to you and your families and thank you from us here at FVS for another wonderful year serving all your large aninal needs!

Friend Veterinary Services is a large animal ambulatory practice located in Hopedale, OH.

08/12/2023

Having a relationship with a veterinarian you can trust is of paramount importance in today’s world! Due to the changes in federal law requiring a valid VCPR in order for producers to gain access to any and all antibiotics for livestock, it is key to have a relationship with a veterinarian. At the same time, utilization of veterinarians in rural America for more than emergency services may help prevent the need for as many antibiotics as well. Work with your local veterinarian to develop proper vaccination protocols for your specific herd, discuss nutrition and husbandry, and establish protocols where you as the producer may be able to handle certain situations on your own because you have have protocols in place from your vet. That being said, yes vaccines and other medications may be cheaper from an online pharmacy, but support your veterinarian. Try to order and purchase vaccines and medications from them. This keeps their supply chain intact and may actually bring their prices down as well. As they order more product from their distributors they can receive volume discounts bringing their overhead down which will then bring the price down for the producer. As the article stated, the number of vets in rural America are at the lowest they have ever been. Support those who are still in the field and show your support locally which may also help the possibility of expansion of their practices in your area to compete with corporate owned practices and compete to draw young vets into the area. If you do not already have a valid veterinary client patient relationship (VCPR) with a veterinarian, meaning they have not been to your farm/property in the past 12 months, it is highly recommended you set something up before it’s an emergency. Teamwork makes the dream work, utilize your vet!

As all medically important antibiotics transition to prescription only and rural veterinarian numbers dwindle, livestock producers are caught in the crossfire.

04/11/2023

The newest addition to Ohio’s list of potential parasites that can affect our livestock. Please be vigilant and report any strange illnesses or sightings of this new species of tick to your local vet. There are also places in which ticks can be sent for identification free of charge as a means of monitoring populations in certain places. We all must be vigilant because this is more than likely something that is here to stay.

An invasive tick species known as the Asian longhorned tick has been identified as a growing threat in Ohio, leading to the death of cattle

24/10/2023

Thank you to Steubenville HS and Ms. McConnell's Ag classes this morning for your attention and participation in our discussions of agriculture and veterinary medicine's role in producing our nation's food supply. It was an honor and a privilege having the opportunity to speak with you!

28/09/2023

Even horses need an emotional support animal, whether it’s their pasture mate or other. These two wouldn’t leave the other’s side for their dentals and proceeded to support each other as their sedation wore off. Have you scheduled your fall visits for your herd with your veterinarian yet? Winter will be here before we know it (Christmas is already less than 90 days away!). Are your horses up to date on the vaccinations to keep them safe/healthy during that time? Are their teeth in good enough shape to allow them to chew their feed properly and stay in good flesh for the colder temps? These two are ready to go!

22/08/2023

Have a horse that gets stressed or worked up with strangers, including your farrier? There is a method for making their lives easier as well as your's. Dormosedan has made a tremendous difference!

Need help to safely care for your horse? Dormosedan® Gel (detomidine hydrochloride) requires a veterinary prescription and it is administered under your horse’s tongue. Learn more today: https://bit.ly/47mQz4s

22/06/2023

Along with the excitement of this week’s Harrison County Fair, this Percheron gelding presented this morning with a large swelling (roughly the size of Dr. Friend’s hand) just behind its jaw that has gradually become large and larger. After ultrasound of the swelling it was determined to be a large pocket of fluid. As you can see once the area was cleaned it was lanced with a scalpel, drained, and flushed. As stated in the video, the fluid had zero smell and was more than likely a result of some type of trauma that did not resorb and heal properly. This guy will not feel much better and will be kept on antibiotics while the pocket heals and closes as well as an anti-inflammatory to keep him comfortable. A picture of the swelling before is in the comments.

11/04/2023

Spring calving and foaling is in full swing. This week's interesting case (even though it's only Tuesday) is this foal who was born over the weekend. His owner called Monday concerned the foal was lethargic and dehydrated. Upon examination, this little guy was suffering from a rare condition called neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) where the foals immune system attacks and destroys its own red blood cells. Foals get their initial immunity from the mare (their mother) in the first 24 hours of life, from nursing and ingesting colostrum. This foal inherited the blood type of the stallion, its father, therefore the mare's immune system has targeted this blood as foreign. So, the colostrum, which the foal ingested, and responsible for the antibodies keeping foals alive in the first few months of life, are destroying his red blood cells. NI occurs in roughly 1-2% of foals, and is even more rare in foals from maiden mares (mare who have never had a previous pregnancy), which this mare actually was. Gold standard treatment involves blood transfusions, however in many cases this can be financially limiting. After consultation with a specialist, you can see this foal received a bag of antibody (safe) rich plasma along with some other medications to slow the progression of the syndrome. This disease tends to carry a very guarded prognosis and the foal was restricted from nursing from the mare until he is 48hrs post birth so that the mare will no longer have any more colostrum production at which time it will be safe for the foal to receive milk from the mare, which is the best milk he can ingest.
If you have any animal on the farm requiring medical examination or routine wellness care, we can be reached at (740)491-2685. If you do not hear back immediately regarding routine wellness care, please understand we triage all phone calls based on urgency and have a list of scheduling call-backs we are working through.

23/03/2023

Not only does spring bring warmer weather, chirping birds, and longer days, but it also means foals and calves. It’s great to see posts like this, especially when a foal like this means all the hard work pays off! Thank you to Carie and her mom at Sunshine Stables for trusting us with the care for their barn and for getting Jazz prepped for breeding and care throughout her pregnancy. She’s such a great momma and this little guy is destined to be spoiled!

19/01/2023

Ever have a pet/animal that is difficult giving medications to? This poor gelding happens to be on of those such individuals. He first presented for squinting and a small corneal ulcer a little over a week ago. He unfortunately was not so compliant when it came to having eye meds applied to his eye. So, as you can see his ulcer worsened, so today we placed a system called a subpalpebral lavage system. This way drops can be applied to his eye as prescribed without having to rely on him keeping his head still. Now instead of the dropper coming at his eye, the drops are administered into a port along his neck. Not only is this going to be easier on him, but also those that have to give the medications.

Here at Friend Veterinary Services we take pride in providing many alternative methods to care for our patients such as this. If you would like to contact us for your large animal needs we can be reached at 740-491-2685.

12/12/2022

As a young veterinarian, who has dedicated his life to caring for many of God’s creatures, particularly those we refer to as large animals, it is very hard to hear someone’s reasoning as to not calling to take care of a very treatable condition in a timely manner because, “he is too expensive.”

Please remember, the veterinarians of this world, especially those who own and operate their own practices whether they are small, large, or mixed animal practices have made giant sacrifices emotionally, physically, and financially in order to provide our patients with the care owners expect.

As a veterinarian, we have spent 8 years of advanced education to become Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. As a newer graduate, MSU-CVM class of 2014, the cost for my education was approximately 5-6 times as expensive as a graduate from 30 years prior. Now, take a young veterinarian who started a practice 3, almost 4 years ago, from scratch and compare the cost of the initial investment in getting started to that of an older practice.

As time progresses, so do the techniques, equipment, and medications we use. As a veterinarian in rural Ohio, I am proud to call myself a member of a small community of veterinarians. We all see each other as colleagues, yet as the youngest of this fine fraternity of practitioners, I have invested in equipment and the sort that was not otherwise offered. This all comes at a cost.

In order for a young veterinarian such as myself, who works well over a 40-hour work weeks plus is on call for emergencies nightly as a solo practitioner, to support my practice, myself, and my family I must set prices that are both fair, and cover costs while also supporting a family.

In times such as these, veterinarians must charge what is fair, which I believe we all do, but also covers what it takes for us to provide the care our clients have grown to expect. In the veterinary world we do not have the luxury of medical insurance that will cover costs, a topic for discussion as totally separate time, but the cost to x-ray a broken bone on an animal at most practices will more than likely run $150-250. Look at a bill from a human hospital, that cost is well over 10 times as much for the same technology.

The video attached to this post was taken today following my examination of a bull for a large swelling on its side. Today, with the used of an ultrasound we can examine this swelling as to whether it is a hernia (hole in the body wall), hematoma (large accumulation of blood), or abscess (large pocket of fluid containing mostly white blood cells and maybe infection). This turned out to be a large abscess which was lanced and drained.

Without this owner’s investment in me as their veterinarian, this bull could have continued to be uncomfortable as the abscess went untreated appropriately. Once this area was prepped and drained, this bull was given the appropriate dose of antibiotics that was remain in its system for 5 days duration of therapy and an anti-inflammatory. Had it not been for the price of my education as well as that of the medication would this bull be better in a timely manner?
Please realize, we veterinarians are not in this business to make a fortune, we see veterinary medicine as a calling while also using it to support our families. Please before you state “he’s too expensive” see what has gone into that price and know it was not some arbitrary number we decided it should be.

Thank you too all those who make our careers as veterinarians what we dreamt they would be, and for those who trust us with the care of their animals, herds, and companions. Also, thank you to this owner who allowed me to video this procedure.

Please enjoy this bull’s relief!

Dr. Friend

10/10/2022

Are your cows pregnant? When can you expect calves to hit the ground? Did your bull or breeder do their job? How well? Did you just feed that open cow or heifer all winter? How much does an open cow or heifer cost you? Was that your plan? Do you know how to better answer all these questions and make decisions for your farm? Thats right, get with your veterinarian to pregnancy check your cows. As you can see, this cow is pregnant and doing her part to keep the herd successful. Only one or two open (not pregnant) cows can more than pay for the vet bill to palpate your herd when you look at the beef prices today, but also what you will save in feed costs if you fed an open cow all winter without knowing if she was pregnant or open. It's no fun for anyone to check a cow after the fact when she hasn't calved with the rest of the herd only to find that she's open. By palpating your cows we can tell you more then just pregnant or not, but also where they fall in a cycle, as well as any abnormal ovarian structures. With ultrasound we can visualize everything but also evaluate calve's heart rates, their gender (at certain ages pregnant), twins, and membrane and fluid appearance. At that time, your veterinarian can also help you plan for the upcoming calving season as well as develop vaccination protocols and plan for taking care of calves once they hit the ground. We, here at Friend Veterinary Services LLC, are here to answer all those questions and help your herd reach its potential. You can reach us at 740-491-2685. We are here to find more of these little calves in your herd!

09/08/2022

With fair season in full swing please please please remember that your goats, especially wethers, need hay in their diet! It is important for more than you think. Hay keeps their rumen from becoming too acidic as well as actually responsible for stimulating the rumen to contract and ruminate like they should. Also, hay in a wethers diet will help prevent urinary stones. Typically during fair season the number of calls regarding blocked goats sky-rockets and more times than not, these goats are not receiving any or a very small amount of hay. This can become an emergency and can be life threatening to goats. In many instances urinary calculi (bladder/kidney stones) requires surgery in order to fix. So please, keep hay in front of your goats. A handful is not enough. A bale of hay is much cheaper than an emergency farm call or surgery. If you have any questions regarding nutrition for your goats or any other animals on your farm please contact us, and we will be happy to consult with you to come up with a plan for your herd.

29/03/2022

When it comes to keeping your horses healthy, who else can you get solid advice from other than the “Blond Bomber,” Terry Bradshaw, himself. Take it from Terry, talk to your vet about keeping your horses healthy and tailoring a wellness plan specific to your herd with your veterinarian. Not only do you develop a solid relationship with your vet, you also can prevent some of the small things that can turn into big problems in the future. Dr. Friend, of Friend Veterinary Services, is here for all your large aninal needs. We can be reached at 740-491-2685.

21/03/2022

Every wonder why the finger holes are so big on a balling gun? Well, today’s case of the day is the prime example. This little heifer was suffering from a mild case of diarrhea, so her owner attempted to stay ahead of the game. She was so excited about her meds, not only did she swallow her bolus, but she also tried to swallow the whole balling gun. Luckily for her, the handles stopped it from going past her throat, so with a touch of sedation, a speculum, and a gloved hand, Dr. Friend was able to retrieve the gun. Aside from a mild sore throat for a couple days, this little girl no longer has diarrhea and now her cough is fixed too.

20/03/2022

Here is a new podcast brought to you by two friends. Both Drs. Thompson are veterinarians as well as dairy farmers and have come up with their podcast to discuss the current state of agriculture, dairies, and so much more. The second episode will also feature Dr. Friend as their guest. Check them out!

Listen to The SeconDairy Podcast on Spotify. A podcast promoting agriculture, discussing the dairy industry with special interests in robotics, talking about veterinary medicine while also including special podcasts dedicated to the local community.

09/03/2022

https://www.drovers.com/news/industry/new-antibiotic-restrictions-soon-become-reality

Attention all large animal owners/producers, these new laws will take place in the very near future. Many may see these changes as another headache making livestock ownership more difficult. However, we at Friend Veterinary Services, see this as a way to strengthen our veterinary client-patient relationship with our clients. These new changes are meant to decrease the use/abuse of previously classified “over the counter antimicrobials.” Once it takes effect, producers will be required to obtain the medications or prescription from their veterinarian. By law, in order to dispense or prescribe medications the VCPR must be renewed within a 12 month period. Therefore it is imperative for large animal owners to have a valid relationship with a veterinarian. A veterinary client patient relationship is key in optimizing the performance of your farm, outside of the emergency situations. We as large animal veterinarians offers emergency services as a courtesy to our established clients and can better tailor care before, during, and after emergencies if we already understand the workings of your operation no matter the size. Although this new legislation may seem like it is being forced upon you, please take the opportunity to utilize the knowledge, experience, and skills of your veterinarian and see how their input can result in less emergencies in the future.

Implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive left a significant loophole for products that were available over-the-counter (OTC) by other dosage forms. OTC availability of these products will end by June 11, 2023.

29/12/2021

A new year means the coming of the next breeding season. To make sure your herd has the highest conception rate possible, the health of your animals is paramount including a bull’s breeding soundness. This bull was tested this morning, passed, and is found to be sound for this years breeding season. Also remember the success of your herd is not just the bull, but also the cows and heifers. Friend Vet Services is available for bull Breeding Soundness Exams (BSEs), heard health consultation and protocols, and most anything else from pre-breeding to cow/calf health. We can be reached 740-491-2685.

Friend Veterinary Services is a large animal ambulatory practice located in Hopedale, OH.

24/12/2021

Late last night Dr. Friend was called out for a very important farm call. Everyone checked out and is healthy for the big night tonight! The only special requirement to keep them healthy is plenty of carrots throughout their journey (plus milk and cookies for their driver). Keep an eye on the skies to catch a glimpse of them flying by. As always, and like Santa, you can rely on Friend Veterinary Services for all you large animal needs.

16/12/2021

As the temperatures begin to drop and winter rolls in, we would like to remind everyone about two important methods, aside from proper nutrition, for maintaining weight in your horses throughout the winter months. Routine dental care through dental examination and floating, along with proper deworming protocols can go a long way in helping our equine clients conquer the stress winter brings in keeping their horses healthy. As always, Dr. Friend is dedicated in helping all large animal owners with any needs or concerns they may have. We are only a phone call away to schedule a farm visit, 740-491-2685.

16/10/2021

Some clients may have already seen this piece of equipment in use on their farm. This is a stall side test for horses measuring their Serum Amyloid A (SAA). It is an acute phase protein in horses that rises with bacterial infections that has been shown to be far more reliable in testing for infection in camparison to a thermometer. The test only requires less than one drop of blood to run! The horse this test was run on was one that was lethargic without any real evidence as to the cause, with a normal temperature. With this score, the horse received a course of antibiotics and is expected to make a full recovery. This is just another piece of diagnostic equipment that has become a part of the practice and was all possible due to our clients entrusting us with their large animal needs.

23/08/2021

Yesterday if you attended the Jefferson County Jr. Livestock Sale, you witnessed something very special. You witnessed a community come together to lift up and support a family in their darkest days. This reserve champion hog belonged to a young girl who, along with her brother, sister, and mom lost, a dad, husband, and hero. Although I did not know Chris well, I can tell you in the few times I did get to stand around and talk with him whether at the fair or if I was ever out treating his family's hogs, he always had a big smile on his face and never said a negative word. The stories that were shared this week go to show just how great of a man he was and the legacy he leaves behind. Watching the Jefferson County fair community come together both during the hog show (the night after Chris' passing) and then again to support Chris' children and family both through the purchase of their market hogs as well as the collection being taken for the family shows what the meaning of family and friends truly is. Great job Jefferson County, thank you for giving me honor of being your fair vet, and thank you for showing this world the good that exists in this part of Ohio.

16/06/2021

With fair back in full force this year, be sure to stop in to the Harrison County Fair next week to show support for all the 4-H’ers in Harrison County who have been looking forward to showing off all the hard work they have put into this year’s projects. Also if you run into a fair board member, thank them for all the hard work they have put into making the fair a success. Hope to see everybody there!