Herd Health Program
Your herd’s health is your profitability!
WVC has the skill set and experience to offer cow-calf and feedlot clients reliable and affordable full herd health services. Our veterinarians can provide you with practical and sustainable solutions to your herd health concerns.
We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure all bovine emergencies are taken care of as quickly as possible either on your farm or here in the clinic.
A Vet Client Patient Relationship(VCPR) is a relationship that is established between a veterinarian and a producer in order to accomplish a specific goal for your individual herd health. Each farm will receive a customized vaccination and treatment plan from our veterinarians to help your operation thrive. Work with a veterinarian to see how your current herd health program can be strengthened to help reduce disease and how you can establish preventative measures. See how working with your veterinarian can be an investment that actually improves your bottom line.
We provide to our beef clients the following services:
– Ultrasound pregnancy checking
– Obstetrical issues such as calvings, c-sections and vaginal/uterine prolapse
– Routine Surgery: cancer eye, LDA, RDA, hernia repair, dehorning
– Complete Breeding Soundness Evaluations for Bulls
– Semen Freezing
– Calf care such as broken legs, umbilical hernia repair, navel ill, scours management and treatment.
– Post-Mortem evaluation and diagnosis
– Lameness examinations
– VCPR visits complete with health and vaccine protocols specific to your herd
– Farm visits for individual animals or groups of animals with health concerns
– Alberta BSE Surveillance Program testing
– In House Laboratory Services: fecals, parasitology, blood work
– Export Services
– Comprehensive ambulatory services
– Insurance Reports
– Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer
Did you know that Westlock Veterinary Center offers a rebate to Beef Clients that utilize our herd health program to the fullest extent??
If you think you qualify or want to learn more, contact us today.
780-349-3663
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November is Senior Pet Month
Here at Westlock Veterinary Center we are going to be celebrating Senior Pets for the month of November!
Did you know that when your pet reaches the age of 7 it is time to start having regular blood and urine screens done?
Aging is not a disease but it does increase the occurrence of certain conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, and cancer. Having regular screenings done may find a disease before your pet starts showing signs.
Mature animals are also at a higher risk for:
- Obesity
- muscle loss
- renal disease
- masses and tumours
- cataracts
- hypo or hyperthyroidism
- diabetes
- dental disease
The earlier your veterinarian diagnoses an underlying condition in your pet, the more options there will be to treat or manage the disease and give your pet a better quality of life.
Targeted nutrition can support your pet at his/her different stages of life. Based on the findings from your pet’s exam your veterinary team may advise a change to their nutrition. Talk to your veterinarians or technicians about your pet’s health and we will find a diet that has been created to meet the needs of your individual cat or dog.
Fun fact: Dogs and cats age 5-8 times faster than humans, so dogs by age 7 and cats by age 10 are considered seniors.
Call today to book your pet a senior wellness exam at a discount for the month of November!
Wellness profile includes examination, blood work, & urinalysis.
780-349-3663
The Dangerous Effects of Marijuana & Pets
Now that marijuana is legalised, there may be an increase in pets accidentally ingesting the drug. So here is some information on what to watch for and what to do if you know, or think your pet may have ingested marijuana and how dangerous the effects can be.
Can Dogs Get High?
The answer is yes…and this is how…
1. Ingesting marijuana leaves/buds directly
2. Ingesting marijuana laced food
3. Secondhand smoke
While humans use the drug by choice to get high, pets do not, and they can become extremely sick.
What Are the Marijuana Effects on Dogs?
1. Lethargic
2. Breathing problems
3. Lower blood pressure
4. Abnormal heart rhythms
5. Loss of balance
6. Urinary incontinence
7. Seizures/Coma
8. Severe Depression
9. Sensitivity to light and sound
10.Excessive Salivation
What should you do if this happens?
No matter how much marijuana your pet has consumed, if any of these symptoms are present bring your pet to your veterinarian for appropriate treatment. ALWAYS be honest with your veterinarian, the more information you give us the better we can treat your pet. We are here for your pets health and safety and not to judge you.
The amount of marijuana needed for a 150-pound human to feel the effects will be nearly 10 times the amount a 15-pound dog needs.
What about cats you ask?
Just because dogs account for nearly all reported cases of marijuana poisoning it doesn’t mean it can’t happen to cats. Cats just aren’t as curious as dogs and don’t have the same habit of eating random things off the ground. Symptoms to watch for in cats is similar as to those in dogs.
Bottom Line:
When it comes to marijuana use and pets, BE CAREFUL. Keep all forms of marijuana, medical or recreational, out of reach of your pet.
Pet Vaccines
Pet Vaccines – What you need to know…
For Dogs: Core vaccines are the basic distemper shot (DA2PP) and the rabies vaccine
CORE:
(D)Distemper: is a deadly disease and is frequently fatal
(A2) Adenovirus: causes hepatitis and respiratory disease
(P) Parainfluenza: is a respiratory disease
(P) Parvovirus: is a deadly intestinal infection
(R) Rabies: a deadly neurological disease, contagious and fatal to humans
Non-Core
(B) Bordetella: a respiratory disease
For Cats: core vaccines are the basic distemper shot (RCP) and rabies vaccine
CORE:
(R) Rhinotracheitis virus: infection that causes respiratory disease
(C) Calicivirus: infection that causes respiratory disease
(P) Panleukopenia: infection that causes bloody diarrhea, can be fatal
(R) Rabies: a deadly neurological disease, contagious and fatal to humans
Non-Core
(FeLV) Feline Leukemia Virus: acts like a human AIDS virus
(FIV) Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: another virus that acts like a human AIDS virus
To book a vaccine appointment or to ask what vaccines your pet may need, call us today.
780-349-3663
Lets Talk Ticks!
Click on the flyer for more information regarding ticks in our area.
Please consult with your veterinarian about the best product to use for your pet.
Preventing tick bites is the best form of protection against tick borne diseases.