Triton Veterinary Service

This is the link for SAVE

As of today we officially bid adieu to Triton Veterinary Service. While retiring the name is bittersweet we are excited to be officially merging the practice into SAVE with Dr. Celeste Grace. What does this mean for our clients? Better service, better coverage and the future addition of another veterinarian to the team. Will continue to be available at our same daytime phone numbers:

Dr. Grace: 208-946-8444
Dr. Grimmett 208-659-6264
After hours emergencies: 208-946-1998

Be sure to like SAVE on Facebook to stay abreast of all of the exciting changes in store!

With the nasty change of weather we always get questions about how to keep the horses warm and colic free. With abrupt changes in weather like this, especially if it brings wind and moisture horses can get chilled as they haven’t yet completely haired up. Here are a few things you can do this weekend.

1. Feed extra hay. Horses keep themselves warm by fermenting long stem fiber. Keep hay in front of them when it’s abruptly cold like it is this weekend. Of course, use common sense with this recommendation. Obese horses, horses prone to founder or other metabolic concerns should not have an abrupt diet change. If you are having trouble deciding the best course of action, call!

2. Blanket. I know it’s controversial but if have a horse that is prone to colic, is less than a 6 body condition score, is older, or has a thin hair coat it may help to put a waterproof blanket on for the next 48 hrs. It doesn’t mean you will now need to blanket all year. Just until this crazy weather passes. A waterproof rain sheet may be enough to provide a wind break and keep them dry improving their ability to thermoregulate and not burn so many calories. Of our 9 horses 3 are wearing blankets and 6 are not. There is no hard and fast rule here. Use your best judgement.

3. Feeding a soaked feed with additional salt may help with water consumption over the next couple of days. We usually see gas colics (related to barometric pressure changes we think) on the forefront of these weather changes and impaction colics on the tail end from not drinking enough water.

Stay safe everyone! Living in these northern climates is not for the faint of heart!!

Just a little clarification on the services we offer. We work on all manner of domestic livestock. We are happy to help you keep your animals healthy at your facility. We do however require a few small concessions to be of service to you. Here are some things to keep in mind before scheduling your appointment.
1. We do not offer dart gun sedation. Any sedation we administer does need to be given through an injection which requires the animal be caught and contained in such a manner that we can safely do that.
2. Catching and restraining the animal is the responsibility of the owner. We are happy to assist if asked but generally prefer that part is done before we get there.
3. There is not an animal that I have met that will generally miss the fact they are receiving an injection just because their head is in a bucket of grain. It helps some of them, for sure, but does not count as a means of restraint.
4. My DVM degree is not a roping, wrestling or training degree. That stuff is out of my pay grade. I’m getting too old. I would like to live past paying off my student debt and I have years to go yet.
5. Cattle must be restrained in safe fencing that is rigidly secured. Cattle panels tied together with twine do not count. Head catches are necessary for anything involving the head of the bovine patient. I know they are expensive and it’s a hassle but see rule #4 and #1 for further information on that point.

There is a world wide shortage of large animal veterinarians out there. Breaking the above list of rules resulting in injured veterinarians is a big part of the reason. Keep us safe and we will happily show up to help you with your farm animal Veterinary needs. But, be forewarned, the older I get the better I get at walking away from the rodeos!!