Cottonwood Veterinary Service is a small animal veterinary clinic located in Buena Vista, Colorado. We are a full service animal hospital.
We offer dentistry, digital radiology, surgery, medicine, wellness, geriatic, pediatric and sick pet care. We see dogs, cats, pocket pets, birds, reptiles and amphibians. After hour emergency care is referred over to Vail Valley Veterinary Emergency or Animal ER of North Nevada in Colorado Springs. Walkins are welcome if time is available.
Operating as usual
02/23/2022
This happens more often than is known. Please keep all bags up so your pet does not suffocate in them.
Labrador killed by chips bag prompts family warning: "He was perfectly fine" The family now hopes to raise awareness of this little-known safety risk, "whether we save one dog or 100,000 dogs."
02/03/2022
You gotta love Budweiser. They come up with great commercials.
A Clydesdale's Journey | Budweiser Super Bowl 2022 This Super Bowl we have one message for America: In the home of the brave, down never means out. Directed by Chloé Zhao.
01/16/2022
Happy ending
Thumper the Cat Reunited with Family After Being Seen on Trail Cam with Surprising Creature Thumper, the cat, disappeared from his home in Maine in October. The shaggy brown and white cat had been used to coming and going outside for the past five years. Because at their previous residence, the vast area allowed for safe exploration with his humans near. However, his human, Katy Kerry, had...
From all of us: We wish you a very Merry Christmas!
12/17/2021
Understanding and Treating Cough Drop Toxicity in Pets The ASPCA Animal Poison Control receives many calls throughout the year about pets ingesting cough drops—and there is, indeed, cause for concern. Find out why and what to do.
12/17/2021
Winter Holiday Hazards Survival Guide for Pets and Their People From meds to goodies to plants—plus the big 5 holiday dangers—this simple list of holiday No No No may help save pets’ lives.
12/17/2021
Dangers and Veterinary Treatments for Household Battery Ingestion Visit ASPCApro.org for resources to help animal welfare professionals save more lives. Find the latest research and learn about unique training opportunities.
10/11/2021
Fall Toxins to Watch Out for Around Pets Keep your pets protected this fall by watching out for toxins, including rat poison, that can be harmful to them.
10/11/2021
Top 10 Deadliest Pet Poisons Visit ASPCApro.org for resources to help animal welfare professionals save more lives. Find the latest research and learn about unique training opportunities.
Hello all. Here is a link you should all view about arthritis. Check it out. Let me know what you think. RetinkOA. Com
07/27/2021
From My Window From her bedroom window, Melissa Simpson looks out at the highest peaks in Colorado. Despite being so close, the mountains have always been worlds away for Melissa,…
07/27/2021
Meet Melissa. She is one of the strongest people I know. Once you watch you will see why. She is my hero.
From My Window From her bedroom window, Melissa Simpson looks out at the highest peaks in Colorado. Despite being so close, the mountains have always been worlds away for Melissa,…
06/19/2021
To all the fathers out there. Happy Fathers Day.
Miss you dad.
Celebrate Dad! Dads have a unique and important role in their children's lives. Celebrate your Dad this Father's Day by sharing what he means in your life!
Remember those that have paid the ultimate price to keep our nation free. Let’s never forget what Memorial Day is really about.
03/22/2021
Thought you all would like this list.
Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2020 Visit ASPCApro.org for resources to help animal welfare professionals save more lives. Find the latest research and learn about unique training opportunities.
03/09/2021
St Patrick's day is coming up and I saw this and had to share.
The Two Most Common St. Patrick’s Day Toxins Alcohol, shamrocks—read up on the two most common St. Patrick’s Day toxins and how to treat them.
03/06/2021
Train delayed after cat curls up on roof and refuses to come down The cat was on the roof two-and-a-half hours.
12/19/2020
Santa’s official veterinarian OKs reindeer for flight Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, V***n, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen have been cleared for travel by the North Pole’s veterinarian.
11/12/2020
HI Everyone,
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Can you all believe it?! Here is an article on toxins and Thanksgiving. Hope you find it helpful. Have great day all!
4 Harmful Thanksgiving Foods for Pets Visit ASPCApro.org for resources to help animal welfare professionals save more lives. Find the latest research and learn about unique training opportunities.
God bless our Veterans! Miss you dad.
11/11/2020
I saw this article and I thought it was good one.
What Could Be Causing Your Dog's Diarrhea, and How Experts Say You Should Fix It Help soothe your four legged friend's upset stomach ASAP.
10/08/2020
Still no evidence of animal-to-human COVID transmission - Veterinary Practice News Animal health professionals should encourage kindness amidst the pandemic to minimize unnecessary animal relinquishment.
10/01/2020
5 Back-to-School Pet Toxins to Keep on Your Radar Get the latest on five back-to-school pet toxins and keep dogs and cats safe while children are learning from home.
10/01/2020
Hazardous or Harmless? Discover Which Fall Plants Are Toxic to Pets Some popular fall plants like mums can be toxic to pets—find out which of these ten autumn beauties might be dangerous to dogs, cats, or horses.
09/23/2020
Cottonwood Veterinary Service updated their info in the about section.
09/22/2020
Thought you all might like to see this on bread dough.
Bread Ingestion in Pets on the Rise While baked bread likely won’t cause a life-threatening problem in pets, raw dough can be fatal. Learn why dough is dangerous and what to do if a dog or cat ingests it.
09/01/2020
Pepper
Pepper was born September 6, 2010 and she left this world August 30,2020.
She passed away peacefully up on Aspen ridge where she liked to go with us to just get out and enjoy nature.
Pepper loved to go for walks, four wheeling, hiking and camping with us. She just wanted to be with her people. She went to work with me every day for the last 10 years She had a lot of friends and family who loved her. Lynette was a sales representative I became close friends with. Pepper and Lynette had an incredibly special bond, and at times, it would make me a little jealous. Pepper also loved the grandkids. Yep, Pepper was one well-loved dog. She loved my husband in a special way too. Their bond was so special, and I ached when I had to see them two say goodbye.
She was friend to all, which included the clinic cats and our housecats. She really loved Pandora, who she had grown up with. During her last days, Cleo, our clinic cat never left her side.
Pepper’s main goal in life was to give unconditional love. If you were upset, she was right there trying to comfort you. If you were sick, she never left your side. If you were happy, she was wagging her tail with joy.
Then 6 months ago Pepper got sick with lymphoma. We opted to do chemotherapy because it would let us have more time with her. However, the type of lymphoma was harder to keep in remission. She tolerated the chemotherapy very well. It did help for a while to keep her in remission, but it was short lived. Over the last several weeks she was not responding to the chemotherapy anymore. We knew it was only a matter of time.
People always ask me how you will know when it is time to let your furry family member go. That is a hard question to answer. I usually say that the dog or cat just gives you a certain look to let you know that they are tired. Pepper gave us that look. I usually say they will start to have more bad days than good. Yes, Pepper started to do that too. She finally started not to eat, even though she wanted too. I think the final thing for me was when she refused her treats. She lived for her treats. But it is that look, which I can’t explain that I knew she was telling me yes, I want to be here for you as long as I can, but I can’t do it anymore.
The greatest gift we can give our furry family members is to let them go. Our hearts are breaking, the pain is sometimes unbearable to do it, but we know we need to let them go. After they are gone, there is an emptiness that is left behind. We ache to see them there giving us that unconditional love. Wagging their tags, giving us head bonks, giving us kisses.
I feel for anyone that also loses a furry friend due to a tragic event because they did not have the time to prepare to have that loss. That cut is even deeper than those of us that have had the time knowing that we would have to say goodbye.
So, Pepper I will miss your deeply. You were a special friend and I love you so much. My grief is deep now. The pain is raw, and I have an empty space in my heart. But I know I will gradually heal, and my grief will turn into joy again. The memories that I have with you will always be a part of me and will heal my broken heart.
This is to all the people who have lost a furry friend and family member. The ones that we have lost are not gone but are still a big part of us.
08/06/2020
We are getting that time of year for mushrooms. Here is a good article about them.
Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs Mushrooms are a challenging toxin to deal with: they can be hard to properly identify, their range of toxicity goes from no big deal to deadly, they appear suddenly and dogs can get to them easily. Mushrooms tend to grow during wet, warm weather, and that can be any time i...
07/28/2020
Do any of you have problems like this. The ASCPA put out nice handout on how to train your dog. Hope you like it.
Managing and Training Leash-Reactive Dogs Help your dog adopters and foster caregivers manage and train leash-reactive dogs by downloading and sharing this PDF.
07/15/2020
Just got this email and had to share.
Summer Pet Safety Tips | Digatherm Welcome to the ‘Dog Days’ of summer. Sirius may be beautiful and bright in the night sky, but the sun is blazing hot outside. While many families enjoy the sultry, lazy days of July drinking lemonade, and relaxing, summer can be a difficult time for our pets. Prevent summer tragedy by being awar...
M emorial day is a day for remembering those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Https://www.military.com/memorial-day
Interesting Facts about Liver Disease in Small Animal Practice
1. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LIVER DISEASE LIVER DISEASE IN SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE
2. ...if 75% of your liver were removed and 25% left, that 25% could regenerate a full size liver in 8 to 15 days? DID YOU KNOW...
3. ...the liver has at least 500 distinct functions - including protein synthesis, fat metabolism, immune function, and many more! DID YOU KNOW...
4. ...at any given point in time, the liver contains 10% of the total amount of blood in the body.
04/13/2020
Please see the news release below from the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment regarding a bull diagnosed with rabies in Pueblo County, Colorado.
Veterinarians play a key role in the essential components of rabies prevention and control, including public education and vaccination of pets and livestock. Veterinarians are encouraged to monitor rabies data from state and local public health departments and use this information when discussing rabies prevention and vaccinations with clients. For statewide data visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment rabies data website.
While skunks are the most common wildlife animal to carry rabies, the skunk rabies variant has spilled over to raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and mountain lions. Therefore, your clients should be aware of inherent risks of exposure to other wildlife species exhibiting abnormal behavior.
Livestock Vaccination: All species of livestock are susceptible to rabies; cattle and horses are the most frequently reported infected livestock species. All horses should be considered for vaccination against rabies. Rabies is considered one of the core equine vaccinations in the AAEP guidelines. Livestock that have frequent contact with humans (e.g. in petting zoos, fairs, and other public exhibitions) should be considered for vaccination against rabies, including species for which licensed vaccines are not available (extra-label use). Consideration should also be given to vaccinating livestock that are particularly valuable.
CDA Rabies Information
Bull Positive with Rabies in Pueblo confirmed by Health Department
April 10, 2020 Pueblo, CO - On Thursday, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment was notified that a four-year-old bull cow, raised by bottle and hand fed in the Beulah area, tested positive for rabies. This is the first bull reported to have rabies in Pueblo County.
“So far, this year, four skunks tested positive for rabies in the Beulah, Rye and Colorado City areas. With the growing prevalence of rabid skunks, it is important to vaccinate pets and livestock for rabies,” stressed Randy Evetts, public health director at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment. Unvaccinated pets and livestock pose a huge risk to humans, unless this virus is treated it is almost 100% fatal.
The bull’s owner noticed odd behavior and a refusal to eat or drink on Friday. The bull was taken to a veterinarian clinic on Saturday and died on Tuesday, test results were received on Thursday confirming rabies. Several family members and veterinarian staff were exposed to the infected bull and will need to receive post exposure rabies vaccinations.
Pet and livestock must be vaccinated against rabies through a licensed veterinarian in order for the vaccination to be considered valid. Un-or-under vaccinated dogs and cats exposed to rabies have an extremely high chance of getting infected and dying from the disease.
To avoid exposure to rabies:
• Never touch a stray or any other wild animal. Healthy skunks, raccoons and animals typically come out in the evening. If the animals are acting tame or extremely aggressive, especially in the day, they may be sick. Children who find wild animals should leave them where they are, do not touch the wild animal, and tell an adult.
• Do not pick up any injured animal with your hands, even if you’re wearing gloves. Use a shovel to place it in a bucket or bag if the animal must be moved.
• If you are bitten by a stray, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water then contact both your physician and the Health Department 719-583-4307.
• If you are bitten by a wild animal, wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water then contact both your physician and the USDA Wildlife Specialist at 719-569-1906.
• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. Keep in mind vaccines not administered by a licensed veterinarian are not considered valid vaccinations in the State of Colorado, including Pueblo County.
For additional information about animals go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web site at cdc.gov/rabies or call the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment at 719-583-4307.
Sarah Joseph MPA | Public Information Officer
Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment
o 719 583 4526 c 719 671 1341
101 W 9th Street | Pueblo CO 81003 | 719 583 4300 | pueblohealth.org
This was sent to me and I wanted to share. Hope it helps.
Lockdown
Yes, there is fear.
Yes, there is isolation.
Yes, there is panic buying.
Yes, there is sickness.
Yes, there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighborhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So, we pray, and we remember that
Yes, there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes, there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM
March 13th, 2020
COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners
Mark Rishniw, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SA-IM), DACVIM (CA)
Date Published: 03/09/2020
A novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Illustration courtesy of CDC: Alissa Eckert, MS and Dan Higgins, MAM
This FAQ is mostly a resource for external sites that provide up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it pertains to veterinarians and pets.
A novel coronavirus, named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Where can I find more information about COVID-19 that I can understand?
Worms-and-Germs Blog: Dr. Scott Weese, an infectious disease consultant for VIN, maintains a blog that has summarized the findings of infections in a dog in Hong Kong. If you want the most recent data about that dog, and the potential implications, read that blog.
The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).
AVMA information page: The American Veterinary Medical Association has created a website that also discusses general issues about COVID-19 as it pertains to veterinarians.
We advise people who are concerned about exposure risk, precautions and latest news to consult the AVMA and Worms and Germs blogs, as they are expected to contain the most up-to-date information.
Can SARS-CoV-2 infect dogs, cats and other animals?
We don’t really know. Preliminary evidence suggests that one dog in Hong Kong that lived with a person infected with the virus tested positive multiple times over multiple days. This suggests that the dog was in fact infected, rather than just contaminated with the virus.
SARS-CoV-2 uses two receptors in humans: It binds Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and then fuses with the cell membrane with help from a type-II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) (similar to the original SARS virus in the early 2000s). Sequence homology for ACE2 at the critical binding sites suggests that SARS-CoV-2 might be able to bind to ACE2 receptors in cats and ferrets. Given the findings from the one dog in Hong Kong (see Worms and Germs Blog), we can reasonably suspect that dogs might also bind the virus.
Rats and mice appear not to be able to bind the virus because their ACE2 receptors are different enough from those of dogs or cats.
Infection, however, requires additional steps than just virus binding and membrane fusion. Viral replication, avoiding the host immune response, etc. are also necessary components of infection and potential transmission.
Can infected dogs and cats transmit the disease to people?
Currently, no evidence exists that dogs and cats, even if infected, can transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus to humans. Indeed, no infected cats have been identified. To date, all transmission has been human-to-human, after the initial jump from bats (most likely) to humans. It is worth noting that the original SARS virus could also bind to dogs’ and cats’ ACE2 receptor, but no reported cases of pet-to-human transmission of that virus were ever reported, although that outbreak was much smaller and investigation of domestic animals was limited.
Could the SARS-CoV-2 virus cause clinical disease in dogs, cats or ferrets?
We don’t know. The one dog that might be infected in Hong Kong showed no clinical signs. The closely related SARS virus did not cause disease in cats (but cats were able to transmit the virus to other cats). In contrast, disease did occur in experimentally infected ferrets. There is currently no evidence that domestic animals can develop disease from this virus or, if infected, transmit it to other animals or people. However, study of animals to date has been limited.
Should I (can I) test a pet for SARS-CoV-2?
Many animal diagnostic laboratories are not currently set up to test for this specific coronavirus. Some are, and might be able to test animals with known exposure. For example, if you are confirmed infected, you can ask for your dog, cat, or ferret to be tested. However, given that the current data suggest that these pets are not infective to people, the rational for doing this is questionable.
The dilemma about testing pets increases, given that any owner with a known infection (has tested positive) should be quarantined, and from a health-and-safety perspective their pet should be considered to be contaminated or infected. Consequently, your veterinarian would be required to adopt precautions to prevent infection by wearing PPE, a face mask, and face shield (to prevent contact from the pet’s contaminated haircoat, or, if infected, saliva or droplets getting into their conjunctival mucosa) etc. Most clinicians are not set up to do this. If an infected owner contacts a veterinarian, the veterinarian should refer the owner to the CDC.
Can I still go to the veterinarian if I am sick?
The CDC says that If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
For everyone’s safety, if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your veterinarian before having your pet seen for any health conditions, as it is possible your pet is contaminated with the corona virus and could expose those working at the animal hospital to the disease. You and your veterinarian can discuss how best to have your pet seen in the event that he needs immediate medical intervention.
Feedback on this article
The Two Most Common St. Patrick’s Day Toxins
pint of golden beer
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, you probably think of a few things: shamrocks, alcohol and the color green. While FD&C Green No. 3 is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, do you know what to do if you get calls from worried clients about the other two?
ALCOHOL
Many dogs (and some cats) will happily lap up beer (green or not) that is left within reach, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control center notes that St. Patty’s day parties are a very common time for pets to get into unattended drinks.
The onset of action with alcoholic beverages is typically fast (within 30 minutes, potentially faster with higher dosages) so the opportunity for emesis with alcohol is often very short and is not recommended in symptomatic pets.
Ethanol intoxication can cause ataxia, depression, recumbency, hypothermia, disorientation, vocalization, acidosis, tachycardia, dyspnea, aspiration pneumonia, tremors, coma and seizures.
SHAMROCKS
The name “shamrock” can refer to several different plants, and it is always important to identify them by their scientific names to assess the risk. When we get a call about a shamrock around St. Patrick’s Day, Oxalis acetosella is typically the plant in question.
The toxic principle of Oxalis is oxalates. The majority of the oxalates are insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which act locally to irritate the mucous membranes. The insoluble crystals can cause oral pain, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea and/or swelling in the oral cavity, pharynx and tongue. If significant swelling occurs, it would be possible, though extremely rare, to see dyspnea or airway obstruction.
Some of the oxalates present within the Oxalis plant are soluble. Soluble oxalates freely enter the bloodstream and combine with calcium, which can cause hypocalcemia. We can see vomiting, ataxia, weakness, panting, facial rubbing, muscle fasciculations and seizures. Renal damage is due to both the calcium oxalate crystal formation and direct cellular and vascular damage of the oxalates.
Despite how scary this sounds, most companion animals are unable to get into a large enough amount of plant material to cause systemic signs. Many pets who ingest a small amount of plant material can be monitored at home; pets who ingest larger amounts of plant material and are at risk of hypocalcemia may need emesis induced and/or monitoring at the hospital. While this can be deadly in grazing animals, cases of true toxicity leading to hypocalcemia are rare in companion animals.
TOPICS: Animal Health, Toxicology & Poison Control
TYPE: Article
We are a full service animal hospital. We offer dentistry, digital radiology, surgery, ultrasound, internal medicine, wellness, geriatric, pediatric and sick pet care. We see dogs, cats, pocket pets, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5 pm. We are closed on weekends. Our emergencies are referred over to Vail Valley Animal Emergency care in Edwards or to Animal emergency on North Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.
| Monday | 7:30am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 5pm |
| Friday | 7:30am - 5pm |
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