News

In February we will once again be offering a 20% discount on equine dental floats and small animal dental cleanings. In-clinic appointments only. Call us today 446-2815 to reserve your spot, we fill up quickly!

EQUINE DENTAL HEALTH:

Horses with dental problems may show obvious signs, such as pain or irritation, or they may show no noticeable signs at all. This is because some horses simply adapt to their discomfort.

For this reason, periodic dental examinations performed by your equine veterinarian are essential to your horse’s health. It is important to catch dental problems early. If a horse starts behaving abnormally, dental problems should be considered as a potential cause. Waiting too long may increase the difficulty of remedying certain conditions or may even make remedy impossible.

Look for the following indicators of dental problems from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to know when to seek veterinary attention for your horse:

1. Loss of feed from mouth while eating, difficulty with chewing, or excessive salivation.
2. Loss of body condition.
3. Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole grain) in manure.
4. Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.
5. Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing to turn or stop, even bucking.
6. Foul odor from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood from the mouth.
7. Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw or mouth tissues.

Oral exams should be an essential part of an annual physical examination by your veterinarian. Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental maintenance. Mature horses should get a thorough dental exam at least once a year, and horses 2 –5 years old should be examined twice yearly.

Call us today! 406-446-2815

** Discount does not apply to sedation or other recommended services beyond the dental float, in-clinic appointments only and no rainchecks **

CANINE and FELINE DENTAL HEALTH:

The cause of gum disease is the same in cats and dogs as it is in people.

Gum disease is an infection resulting from build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums. The bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if plaque is allowed to accumulate, which often leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth. Hard dental tartar (calculus) consists of calcium salts from saliva deposited on plaque. Tartar starts to form within a few days on a tooth surface that is not kept clean, and provides a rough surface that enhances further plaque accumulation. Once it has begun to grow in thickness, tartar is difficult to remove without dental instruments. – From VOHC.

Once tartar forms on the teeth, mechanical removal with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments followed by high frequency polishing is required to return the teeth to a health state. Annual or bi-annual prophylactic cleaning is recommended to prevent the advancement of periodontal disease. 

** Discount does not apply to anesthesia or other recommended services (such as extractions and dental radiology) beyond the dental cleaning/polishing & no rainchecks **

We at Red Lodge Veterinary Clinic want to thank all of our clients for their business and trust in us. We’re also fortunate to have a great team that goes above and beyond for our clients and patients. 

2021 was a very busy year and in honor of our hard working team, we will be providing a well deserved break. Our office will be CLOSED from Friday, December 24th at noon until Monday, January 3rd at 8:30 am to EMERGENCY ONLY.

If you have an urgent question or emergency during this time, please call the clinic 406-446-2815 to speak with Dr. Casey Gruber who will do his best to be available to address your concerns.

Please schedule all non-urgent appointments including prescription / pet food refills before or after this time. 

We hope you have a safe, healthy and happy holiday and we look forward to 2022!

Dr. Casey and Dominique Gruber

FACEBOOK EVENT LINK

Unlike humans who sweat, dogs eliminate heat from their bodies by panting. When panting isn’t enough, a dog’s body temperature rises, and they can experience heat stroke, which can become fatal if not treated immediately.

What causes heat stroke in dogs?

Any hot environment can cause heat stroke in dogs. The most common cause is careless action by a pet owner, like leaving a dog in a car or forgetting to provide water and shade when they are outdoors.

Some dogs are more prone to heat stroke than others. Dogs with thick fur, short noses or those suffering from medical conditions are predisposed to heatstroke. Even dogs who enjoy constant exercise and playtime should be closely monitored for symptoms of heat stroke, especially on hot and humid days.

What are the symptoms of dog heat stroke?

The most telling symptom of heat stroke in dogs is excessive panting. Other symptoms may include signs of discomfort such as drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, mental dullness or loss of consciousness, uncoordinated movement, and collapse. 

Heat stroke in dogs can indicate a serious medical problem and cause unseen problems, such as swelling of the brain, kidney failure, intestinal bleeding and abnormal clotting of blood. For this reason, immediate veterinary care is highly recommended. 

What should I do if I think my dog has heat stroke?

Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital and tell them you are on your way. On the way to the veterinarian, travel with the windows open and the air conditioner on.

Until you can get to the veterinarian, be sure to:

• Remove the dog from the hot environment immediately.
• Do not give the dog aspirin to lower its temperature and can lead to other problems.
• Let your dog drink as much cool water as they want without forcing them to drink.
• Cool your dog off with cold water by placing a soaked towel on their back.
• Wet their paws with cool water.

How will the veterinarian treat my dog’s heat stroke?

With cases of heatstroke in dogs, treatment will include intravenous fluid therapy to replace fluids and minerals. 

Your veterinarian will also monitor your dog for secondary complications such as kidney failure, development of neurologic symptoms, abnormal clotting, changes in blood pressure and electrolytes abnormalities. 

How can I prevent my dog for developing heat stroke?

As a pet owner, it is important to be aware of the outside temperature and take appropriate measures to prevent heat stroke, especially during hot and humid conditions.

When outdoors, always make sure your dog is in a well-ventilated area with access to plenty of water and shade.

While traveling in cars, make sure that your dog is kept in crates that has good ventilation, and never leave your dog in a car with the windows closed.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If your dog is showing any signs of heat stroke, contact Red Lodge Veterinary Clinic right away.

Credit for this article goes to Memphis Veterinary Specialists & Emergency

Dr. Casey Gruber & Dr. Luke Bass discusses urgent cases and what you as a horse owner can do at home to help your horse. 

Dr. Casey Gruber and his team at Red Lodge Veterinary Clinic are excited to offer another complimentary equine seminar in beautiful Red Lodge, Montana on Thursday, May 13.

Joining Dr. Gruber will be Dr. Luke Bass, DVM, MS, DCVP (Eq.) – Head of the Equine Field Services Department at Colorado State University, bringing his valuable knowledge to our seminar.

The topic this year will be on emergency and critical care for the horse owner. We will be discussing scenarios that you may find yourself in as a horse owner, such as colic, lacerations etc. We will discuss what you can do right away, what materials you should have on hand and how to explain the injury to your veterinarian over the phone while awaiting care. You do not want to miss this!

The seminar will be held at the banquet room upstairs at the Bull & Bear Saloon downtown Red Lodge. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the talks will start at 6:30. 

We will be providing hors d’oeuvres and drinks. We look forward to an evening of networking and providing valuable information to our fellow horse owners. RSVP soon to ensure a seat! 406-446-2815  or redlodgevet@gmail.com

Thank you to Boehringer-Ingelheim and MWI Animal Health – Amerisource Bergen for once again sponsoring this valuable evening to allow us to offer it FREE of charge to our local horse owners.

In February we will once again be offering a 20% discount on equine dental floats. In-clinic appointments only. Call us today 446-2815 to reserve your spot.

EQUINE DENTAL HEALTH:

Horses with dental problems may show obvious signs, such as pain or irritation, or they may show no noticeable signs at all. This is because some horses simply adapt to their discomfort.

For this reason, periodic dental examinations performed by your equine veterinarian are essential to your horse’s health. It is important to catch dental problems early. If a horse starts behaving abnormally, dental problems should be considered as a potential cause. Waiting too long may increase the difficulty of remedying certain conditions or may even make remedy impossible.

Look for the following indicators of dental problems from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to know when to seek veterinary attention for your horse:

1. Loss of feed from mouth while eating, difficulty with chewing, or excessive salivation.
2. Loss of body condition.
3. Large or undigested feed particles (long stems or whole grain) in manure.
4. Head tilting or tossing, bit chewing, tongue lolling, fighting the bit, or resisting bridling.
5. Poor performance, such as lugging on the bridle, failing to turn or stop, even bucking.
6. Foul odor from mouth or nostrils, or traces of blood from the mouth.
7. Nasal discharge or swelling of the face, jaw or mouth tissues.

Oral exams should be an essential part of an annual physical examination by your veterinarian. Every dental exam provides the opportunity to perform routine preventative dental maintenance. Mature horses should get a thorough dental exam at least once a year, and horses 2 –5 years old should be examined twice yearly.

Call us today! 406-446-2815

We are looking forward to this new year, and hope to get back to our regular operations as soon as possible while maintaining the safety of our clients and staff. 

All of us at Red Lodge Veterinary Clinic are so thankful for our clients’ trust and flexibility. 

Our doors are still open to give our clients the option of accompanying their pet/horse inside the clinic/equine exam room for their exam and treatments. We will continue to require masks or face coverings for anyone entering out facility over the age of 5. We are following the rules set out by our Governor – Montana Mask Mandate 2021 

We are still reducing the amount of traffic into the building to one client / patient at a time. Please see our new protocol below:

WHAT TO EXPECT – Large and Small Animal appointments:

Small animal clients, please park beside the clinic closest to the front of the building.

Equine and large animal clients, please drive around the cul-de-sac at the end of the road and park your trailer in the gravel parking lot.

When you arrive, please call the clinic 446-2815 to let us know you are here.

We will ask if you would like to come in for your appointment, wait in the vehicle, or drop off your pet and come back at a later time.

As before, if you would prefer to wait outside or drop off, Dr. Gruber will discuss exam findings either in person (outside) or by phone. We will then proceed with treatments as decided by you and Dr. Gruber. 

If you accompany your pet into the exam room, we will have our technicians and Dr. Gruber handle your pet, to reduce close contact with multiple clients. We will maintain a 6ft distance from you as best as we can. We will continue cleaning high traffic areas, door handles, counter tops, merchant machines etc. between each client to help reduce transmission. 

MEDICATION / FOOD PICK-UPS:

When you arrive, please call the clinic 446-2815 to let us know you are here. We will let you know if you can come in and get them (if the reception area is clear of other clients / patients). If not, we will bring them to your vehicle as before. 

We can take payment over the phone and are still accepting credit cards, cash or checks.

We appreciate your cooperation as we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Please call the clinic if you have any questions or concerns 406-446-2815. We look forward to getting back to ‘normal’ and  “Together We Can Do This!” 

Take a listen to this interview with Dr. Casey Gruber regarding Winter Horse Care. 

Dr. Gruber was interviewed by TheHorse.com in 2012 while working for Moore Equine Veterinary Centre in Calgary, Alberta. 

Click HERE to listen NOW