Mountain River Vet - Salmon

18/06/2024

As we wind down operations here in Lemhi, I will make announcements for other service options in the area.
I have the ability to place med orders for the rest of this week if you need a short term stock up option.
I also want to remind you that script meds can be ordered through the main office for 12mo past the date of my last site visit to your operation.
As always, I am deeply grateful for all of your support and friendship over the years 🩵

18/06/2024

Make sure you get your animals rabies vaccinated!
Fortunately we use a Potomac/Rabies combo, so almost all of the horses we saw this spring are UTD on rabies vaccination.

Plan ahead for next year and be sure to do the same.

https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/06/rabid-bat-found-in-lemhi-county-rabies-is-fatal-if-treatment-is-not-administered-after-exposure/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2xoNXl6vactzZxyOX8swwZ_b_LdQr02vG4MnJdPNAWuSrhG_QO-2RoaF4_aem_aEmWAzUAJXvsx4GiZf7fYg

The following is a news release from Eastern Idaho Public Health. SALMON — A bat found in the yard of a residence in Lemhi County has been identified as having rabies. While most bats are harmless and do not carry rabies, they are the only animal in Idaho that is a natural reservoir for the […]

04/05/2024

In life there are multiple times where the realization that one's individual decisions affect a much broader population than oneself. And this has weighed very heavily on me the last week, it is incredibly humbling as well as emotional.

Over the years I have become acutely aware that as an individual in my profession, our choices have the potential to ripple beyond the limits of our circle of family and friends. On a daily basis my presence and influence is seen, heard, and felt in a great many family homes, herds and operations- and this is something that I have not taken for granted. The realization that any decisions made would affect a significantly larger number of friends and clients can at times be incredibly overwhelming.

I have from a very young age been both blessed and cursed with an intrinsic need to pursue personal and professional growth. This smouldering necessity has once again prompted me to pursue an opportunity to broaden my career. I had tried to repress this for a number of years now, but it just kept returning more and more frequently with a growing intensity.

And so it is with a heavy heart, that I announce my departure from the beautiful Lemhi valley and the state of Idaho. A decision that I can assure you, was not taken lightly or arrived at painlessly, as growth often goes hand in hand with some level of discomfort.

I have accepted a position at Iowa State University that offers an excellent opportunity to continue to learn, grow and collaborate with others in bovine production medicine.
Although we are very excited for this next chapter in our lives, it is accompanied by a deep sadness to leave this wonderful and kind community we have been lucky to call home for the last 7 years.

I want to extend a heart felt thank you for all of the kindness, support, and trust in me as your veterinarian you all have given over the years. You all have added so much depth to my skillset, knowledge and life; and I can never fully express how much that means to me.

I will be accepting calls up to the middle of June (June 14th) and hope to see many of you in person over the coming weeks.

"There's just nothing compares quite to making my cow's life better, because in the end, it makes my life better." Otto Kilcher

27/04/2024

Thank you VAHS, what a sincere tribute.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1113271953078073&id=100031858373451&mibextid=cr9u03

04/04/2024

Ranching for Profit School opportunity in our area!!

There is a RFP school planned for June over in Billings. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity with your ranch stakeholders to create a plan for the health and longevity of the ranch!

Follow the link for more details!

We just finished our main Ranching for Profit School delivery season, which was fulfilling as ever, but we are all glad to be home too. Eight full schools since Thanksgiving means we got to meet and work with over 400 ranchers who were willing to travel to learn in the last three months. That is [.....

01/04/2024

Here we are already headed into AI season!! Where does time go??

Feel free to contact us if you need help with guidance on protocols or want to schedule for us to come and provide services to your herd.

I recently watched a safety webinar on handling liquid nitrogen, and to be honest I was ashamed of the many times I’ve taken unnecessary risks hauling semen tanks around.

Below is a slide from the presentation that outlines the rate at which liquid nitrogen can cause dangerously low levels of oxygen. Please be airborne to this…. The story told during the presentation is truly heartbreaking and a reminder to always be cognizant of the risks we take in this career.

There link for the full presentation is below as well- I will warn you that there is a tragic incident relived through the presentation.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lIic3oiLCiw

30/03/2024

Bear with me- lots of good info I want to get into my clients heads/hands.

As branding season approaches, I want to share a couple tips to maximize success of the immunization products, and minimize stress on the calves. 💉Minimizing stress helps to boost immune response to vaccines, keep those calves healthy, and keep them on the gain; all yielding more $$ in the fall.

The most important aspect to maximize calf health; MINIMIZE THE TIME AWAY FROM THE COWS!!!! ⏱️

Work your cattle in small groups- sizes you can get through in 1-2hrs max. If roping & dragging, set up your system so that the processed calves go directly back to their dams- not back into a calf mob to continue to stress.

If using a calf table- set up your pens so calves go back on the cows after leaving the table.

This may require working cows first- or breaking the herd in half on branding day. Calves with cows; even if not their dams are still less stressed than in a calf mob.

Finally- this is very important; vaccines need to be given by someone who is trained in BQA, proper vaccine handling, and injection practices. This is one of the most important parts of the day- our goal is to immunize calves, not just poke holes in them.

The following article reiterates many of these points and mashes a few other.

https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/2022/relieving-stress-around-branding-pen

30/03/2024

Most of my clients are done or almost done calving- but this article is a good one to print out and reread every year a month or more before calving.
It is a recipe for a successful calving season!

Fall calving is in progress for many ranchers. A veterinarian offers tips to give calves the best chance to thrive and survive.

29/03/2024

Cow-calf clients; there are preliminary reports of High Path Avian Influenza having been diagnosed on an Idaho dairy. As a community- we are not yet sure what, if any, impact HPAI could have on beef cattle.

Dairy producers report that only a relatively small percentage of their cattle are affected, typically older cows in mid- to late-lactation. Dry cows and heifers are not showing signs of illness. Symptoms vary but affected cattle may exhibit reduced milk production, an unexpected drop in feed intake, thick, colostrum-like milk, diarrhea and/or tacky f***s, dehydration and mild respiratory symptoms. The cattle recover, although milk production may be slow to resume.

There is no evidence of any concerns with meat or pasteurized milk consumption.

I do request that you refrain from bringing in any new dairy animals to the area herds at present. Until we have a better idea of how transmission occurs & impact to cattle health.

Rest assured that many individuals are working hard to find these answers at present.

See the following infographic for recommendations on increasing biosecurity in your herds. And feel free to reach out with any questions.

15/03/2024

Colostrum as a treatment for calf scours?? Yup!! I’ve talked to a handful of producers about this and gotten some good feedback from people that have tried it. Read the following article for more information!!

https://genex.coop/feeding-colostrum-as-a-therapy-for-diarrhea-in-preweaned-calves/?fbclid=IwAR0Yx9y0YG7V7RV8rSXY6tjuUq27rGggcq1kFefEZ0ndESfORBZCnNOvj3w_aem_AXRR-DUnGkM9d0OAuZgHk-iWO_BFQnN7iLWRi72KukR1DbAbk3T_eS8YR54w0rkDqAwinYHBZUbQgDgxKE3eFiqU

The benefits of colostrum create an enticing argument that it may have the potential to act as a therapy for diarrhea in preweaning calves.

09/03/2024

Orphan calves can be managed to stay with the herd- it’s not cheap- but it is definitely possible. Calves need to eat 10-12% of their body weight in milk for the first months of life. That means an 80lb calf needs about 1gallon (1 gallon weighs 8lbs) of milk divided into multiple meals initially. But as they gain weight; the amount will need to increase.

If they gain 2lb/day; at 1 month of age they will weigh approximately 140lbs- (14lbs of milk) which is 1.75 gallons of milk divided into multiple feedings (I recommend 3 feedings).

Use a good quality milk replacer- at least 15% fat & 22% protein; but a 18-20%fat, 22% protein would work even better.

Get them started on a good quality starter grain from the first week of life, plenty of fresh water, and plan to wean them slowly once starter ration consumption is 2lb or greater/day. Hay can be slowly introduced around 1mo of age.

Yes, this will be pricier than what I typically see people use on orphan calves- but having a calf that gets on the truck this year, vs. keeping an extra year to fit in next spring or fall will return the investment.

Raising an orphaned beef calf can be time consuming and may require additional expense. Additionally, calves may not be thriving at the time they are orphaned so managing health and nutrition can present challenges.

15/02/2024

It’s a slop out there this year!

Be prepared to make changes if you start experiencing calf health issues!!

This article gives good tips on managing around mud during calving.

Pro Tip: open the article and then ask Siri to read it to you 😉

Mud conditions in calving areas can lead to health concerns in both the cow and calf. Mud and moisture prevent the hair coat from insulating and maintaining body temperature, leaving newborn calves vulnerable to hypothermia. Mud also increases the energy requirements for the cow and may lead to decr...

10/02/2024

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. While horses don’t exactly qualify as pets, this is still a good opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of having a veterinarian check your horse’s teeth at least once a year.

Following is some important food for thought (pun intended) courtesy of AAEP member Dr. Christine Staten:

“Did you know that horses don’t really need their incisors to eat? Yep, even pasture. But if their incisors are a mess, it affects their ability to appropriately grind their food with their molars and pre-molars.

Dental work in horses is not just about floating teeth to get off points. It’s about balancing the mouth so that they can get the most nutrition out of their food without pain.

Shearing hay in the mouth is necessary to get the nutrition out. The guy in the picture was skinny because he could not move his jaw laterally enough to shear his food, but his health and body condition score improved significantly once the incisors were balanced.”

When was the last time you had your horse’s teeth checked?

10/02/2024

🐴❄️Winter hoof care is very important… just like you wouldn’t be comfortable if given shoes 👠 that are too big & unbalanced- horses won’t be happy on feet that aren’t maintained; and the awkward stress on joints & soft tissue is bad for long term soundness.

📖Read on about winter hoof care considerations:

https://www.zoetisequine.com/blog-articles/winter-hoof-care?utm_source=meta&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_campaign=fy24zoetisequine-blog&utm_content=horsehoves-static-horseowner&fbclid=IwAR3yAy2QMX_cHvbAJELF5bEwVFlpicteEOakO3tfpB0L_jbaUgK0ykE1_8Y_aem_AXuI2tLkuQ6Abi7QZkmRhiGWWWVBdz_imxSxU6iHKFgHDeslVcDOxbQpyPgstU0AsgOPX4ai2M0Si3dJL1lR_OW7

The seasons have an influence on your horse’s hooves in many ways. Here we’ll explore what you need to know to provide your horse with excellent hoof care during the winter months.

27/01/2024

Please mark your calendars for 15-March 2024 to attend our bull sale. We look forward to seeing you there. 😀

27/01/2024

Although everyone is in the midst of calving, here is your reminder to take care of those bulls. Make sure they are fed generously so they are at appropriate body condition for the breeding season and try to pasture them where they have some protection from the elements so that you minimize the risk of scrotal injury. Taking care to be attentive to these needs will help to give them the best chance at passing breeding soundness exams later this spring. Remember- semen being made today is what we will be looking at in late February/March.

While most cows are in larger groups, bulls tend to be in small groups, resulting in more exposure to the elements. Keeping them protected from the elements is crucial.

25/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100057608943478/posts/837682411495383/?mibextid=cr9u03

Beef cows fed at dusk or later results in more daytime births. Research indicates that to achieve that benefit, feeding at night should be started at least one month prior to calving season.

13/01/2024

Read below for tips on helping your horse navigate this cold snap 🥶.

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

10/01/2024

09/01/2024

Read on about how to manage cold stress in beef herds!

https://www.facebook.com/100052879005055/posts/956650072774284/?mibextid=cr9u03

Cold temperatures have arrived. 🥶 These temperatures will cause a marked increase in your cattle’s feed needs. The general rule is, for every degree below 20 Fahrenheit, a cow’s energy requirements increase by about 1%. Likewise, for every degree below the average winter temperature, a 1 lb. increase in calf birth weight and ~2.5% increase in dystocia incidences can be expected based on a 6-year study from the University of Nebraska. Depending on an animals body condition score, cold stress effects will vary. With that in mind, use an integrated approach to reduce the cold’s impact on your herd and “layer her up” in preparation. Let’s talk strategies to do this, with some analogies for their effectiveness:

1️⃣ Windbreaks. For cattle, getting to a wind-protected area is like upgrading from an open station to a tractor with a cab for you while doing winter chores. Both permanent and temporary windbreaks are one of the most effective tools we have to protect cattle from cold stress.

2️⃣ Bedding. Cornstalks, straw, or other sources of bedding will insulate cattle from the frozen ground, keep haircoats more dry, and help cattle better regulate body temperature. Bedding for a cow is like the coveralls for you. Although the benefit of bedding is quantified less in cow-calf trials, feedlot trials have shown a significant, 20-40% maintenance requirement advantage for bedded steers compared to unbedded counterparts.

3️⃣ Feeding time. The rumen is a fermentation machine, and where there is fermentation, heat is produced. Peak heat of fermentation occurs 4-6 hours after the primary eating bout, meaning producers can feed late in the day to provide some extra heat during colder night temperatures. Doing this to warm cattle from the inside out is like having a hot cup of coffee for you.

While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can help cows combat cold stress by providing an integrated approach to control the impact cold temperatures have on our feed bill, calf birth weights, and cow comfort. Read more here: https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?m=35546&i=769360&p=14&ver=html5

04/12/2023

Dental care is essential for the longevity of your equine partner.
Every horse should have at least an annual oral exam, and many will benefit from an annual dental occlusal adjustment or float.
We pride ourselves on staying up to date on current best practices for equine dental health.
We work at an indoor facility through the winter so that owners & horses can be comfortable.
We have radiography so we can access any complicated dental health issues.
Help your performance horse stay at their best, or your older horses improve their dental health so that they can be more efficient through winter!

30/09/2023

This year has been a very busy fall with lots of cattle work. I have had the pleasure of getting to operate my hydraulic chute on a couple of ranches for cattle processing. This is one of my weird favorite things to do when it comes to working cattle. I really enjoy the challenge of trying to create good movement so that cattle enter calmly, stand quietly, and exit calmly. It is something that requires constant adaptation to different cattle behavior, and I feel like one of those things that is a moving goal requiring lifelong attention to detail.

Below is a nice article that goes through some strategies for maximizing cattle movement and efficiency through chute systems.

https://www.bovinevetonline.com/bovine-vet/squeeze-chute-work?fbclid=IwAR2AF6A5IQ_P8PS1uLp32Tz40yHk7NCESV6-ZCLmnMxtkNHWEFrwa_JFnd0_aem_ARhpxrnQsi0KBRJ3Yi1D9dpxad4CRIj8s5kWRoAxk-tbt1owtZgLdjBV-H6IC9xJWW3I10c3AxQbh_NNLYxapDWq&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Low-stress squeeze chute operation is important because research has shown cattle that become agitated in the chute have tougher meat and more dark cutters, and up to 40% of administered vaccines won’t be effective.

19/09/2023

I need my clients help locating a pair of Soft Ride boots that was lent out and not returned.

I often lend these out to acute laminitis cases to help them recover and be more comfortable initially as we start treatment.

However…. I forgot to write down the most recent lendee.

If you have these or know someone who does- please PM me so we can arrange a return.

16/09/2023

Chronic wounds in horses are not normal!

This nice gelding had a puncture wound that the owner said drained for a couple of weeks. I had them bring him in and under sedation and local anesthesia, I opened up the wound and found these foreign bodies inside. He had impaled himself on some wood, and it was just hanging out in there next to his shoulder blade… talk about an annoying splinter!!

Non healing wounds need a thorough investigation to see what the cause is. Don’t just ignore them and hope for the best.

08/09/2023

I have treated two Potomac horse fever cases in the last 24hrs.  This is your reminder to please be vigilant with your horses. Watch for any signs of lethargy, inappetence, diarrhea, or any behavior that is just not typical for your horse. The earlier that we start treating these cases, the better outcome we typically have.

10/08/2023

Confirmed case of Potomac horse fever in Lemhi county. If you haven’t gotten your horses Potomac booster vaccines for the year…. You better get on that. Help us to keep your horses healthy!!

Early signs of Potomac Horse Fever:
Inappetance, lethargy, diarrhea, laminitis, fever.

I recommend checking on your horses daily.

10/08/2023

Don’t forget to schedule your cattle pregnancy exams!! With cull cow prices- it’s worth the time to find those opens and market them!

Call 208-756-7104 to get on the calendar.

09/08/2023

Check out this opportunity to attend a Stocksmanship & Stewardship event on the Eastern side of Oregon.

This program has been an asset to the industry in training low-stress cattle handling, BQA training, and other industry updates. These are high quality programs that you don’t want to miss!!

25/07/2023

I just ran across this webpage that has a really easy to navigate way to get market updates on sale animals. This includes sheep & goats! Just sharing for your convenience.

https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/livestock_auction_dashboard?fbclid=IwAR1OgCc73sWohJgImg_U4CRAwShYShXtYPuLGovxwzd3QbmW8yl6UaimJhY_aem_AaxV9jf4nrw9hKn2yUuRMwVsE6yLzoMv9Z2JERpPnPfFFwISd1TKP7vmDMLF_4BeXYo

Livestock Auction Dashboard Book traversal links for Livestock Auction Dashboard ‹ Cattle Contracts Library Summary Up Quality Assessment Division (QAD) Visualizations ›

24/07/2023

I received a call from a Montana livestock agent the other day to confirm the destination of a horse that was exported to MT. As I’ve expressed to clients from time to time- although I don’t have the authority to enforce Livestock export requirements- it is my job to make sure my clients know what is required…
The agent confirmed that the penalty for illegal transportation into MT is now $500/horse up to $5000. That makes the coggins & health papers seem pretty affordable….

We also offer Extended Equine Health certificates. They are good for 6mo and cover many of the western states. If you travel to MT frequently for work, rodeo or horse shows- I recommend this route.

And don’t forget about those cows & other livestock. They all require travel papers- other requirements are usually gender & age specific.

Call today to book your annual coggins test & health papers. And don’t forget- we run a special on vaccines & coggins testing every May.