What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 8pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Fort Macleod Vet Clinic

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Fort Macleod Vet Clinic

Fort Macleod Vet Clinic is a busy 7 vet mixed animal practice located in Fort Macleod, Alberta

05/13/2026

📣 Fort Macleod Vet Clinic will be CLOSED Monday, May 18th.

Our veterinarian will still be on call 24/7 for emergencies.
📞 403-553-4887

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing long weekend with their pets! 🐾🌷

05/02/2026

Today we say a heartfelt goodbye to our amazing RVT, Sheila 💙

Sheila has been an incredible part of the Fort Macleod Veterinary Clinic team for the past 7 years, and her dedication has made a lasting impact on our patients, clients, and staff. We are especially proud of her for completing her Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) designation through distance learning in 2023 — a huge accomplishment alongside her full-time work at the clinic!

Sheila has a true gift for patient care, always going above and beyond to ensure every animal is comfortable, safe, and well cared for. Her compassion, attention to detail, and calm presence have made her an invaluable member of our team.

She will be deeply missed by all of us, both professionally and personally.

Please join us in wishing Sheila all the best as she heads into her next adventure — we know she will continue to do amazing things! ✨

Thank you for everything, Sheila 💙

05/01/2026

🐶⚠️ KENNEL COUGH ALERT – SOUTHERN ALBERTA ⚠️🐶

We are currently seeing an increase in kennel cough cases in dogs across southern Alberta.

Kennel cough (also known as Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex – CIRDC) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily anywhere dogs gather.

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🦠 Common signs to watch for:

* Dry, hacking cough (often sounds like gagging)
* Retching after coughing
* Nasal discharge
* Lethargy (in more severe cases)
* Fever (less common)

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🐕 How it spreads:

* Direct dog-to-dog contact
* Shared water bowls, toys, or kennels
* Groomers, dog parks, daycare, boarding facilities

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💉 Prevention matters:

* Keep your dog up to date on kennel cough vaccination
* Avoid high-risk areas if your dog is not vaccinated
* Wash hands and avoid sharing equipment between dogs

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🚨 What to do if your dog is coughing:

* Keep them at home and away from other dogs
* Monitor closely for worsening signs
* Call us before coming in so we can limit exposure to others

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Most cases are mild, but puppies, seniors, and immunocompromised dogs can develop more serious illness.

📞 If you’re concerned about your dog, give us a call — we’re happy to help guide you.

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🐾 Let’s work together to keep our local dog community healthy!

04/16/2026

⚠️ STRYCHNINE USE APPROVED – WHAT PET OWNERS NEED TO KNOW ⚠️

There has been a temporary approval for the use of strychnine to control ground squirrels in parts of Alberta.

While this may help with pest control, it comes with serious risks to pets, wildlife, and even livestock.

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🐾 WHY THIS MATTERS

Strychnine is an extremely toxic poison. Animals can be exposed by:
• Eating bait directly
• Consuming poisoned rodents
• Contact with contaminated areas

Even very small amounts can be fatal.

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🚨 SIGNS OF STRYCHNINE POISONING

Watch for:
• Muscle tremors or stiffness
• Severe anxiety or agitation
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures triggered by light/sound
• Collapse

⚠️ Symptoms can appear very quickly (within minutes to hours)

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🐶🐱 WHAT PET OWNERS SHOULD DO

• Keep dogs on leash when walking in rural areas
• Prevent pets from eating rodents or unknown substances
• Supervise outdoor time closely
• Be cautious around farms or properties using rodenticides

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🌾 LIVESTOCK & EQUINE CONCERNS

• Risk of accidental ingestion in feed-contaminated areas
• Secondary toxicity possible
• Monitor for neurologic signs

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🦅 WILDLIFE IMPACT

Scavengers (hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes) are at high risk of secondary poisoning after consuming affected rodents.

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👩‍⚕️ FROM YOUR VETERINARY TEAM

At Fort Macleod Veterinary Clinic, we are concerned about:
• Increased emergency poisoning cases
• Animal welfare risks
• Environmental impact

If you suspect exposure, this is an emergency — call immediately.

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📞 EMERGENCY? CONTACT US RIGHT AWAY

Early treatment can be life-saving.

04/09/2026

💙 A Bittersweet Goodbye to Danielle 💙

Over the past two years, Danielle has become such an important part of our clinic family. From day one, her love for animals — especially horses 🐎 — has been so evident in everything she does. Her kindness, work ethic, and calm presence have made a lasting impact on our patients, our clients, and our entire team.

Danielle is now heading to Central Alberta to follow her dream of working exclusively in equine practice — something we know she has been passionate about from the very beginning. While we couldn’t be more proud of her for chasing that dream, she will be so deeply missed here at Fort Macleod Vet Clinic.

Thank you, Danielle, for everything you’ve given over the last two years. We are truly lucky to have had you as part of our team 💙

Give Goose some extra love from all of us 🐶💙 and we know you’ll be doing incredible things with your horses 🐎✨

Once part of the Fort Macleod team, always part of the family 💙

Wishing you nothing but the best in this next chapter — you will be missed more than you know.

— The Fort Macleod Vet Clinic Team 💙

03/26/2026

🐣💛 Easter Weekend Update 💛🐣
We’ll be closed Friday, April 3rd to spend time with our loved ones.
Don’t worry — we’re still here for your pets in case of emergency, 24/7 at 403-553-4887.
Have a wonderful long weekend! 🐰🌸

03/20/2026

🐄💩 Calf Scours Season is Here! 💩🐄

Spring calving is in full swing, and with it comes one of the most common (and frustrating) issues we see — calf scours.

🚨 What are scours?

“Scours” = diarrhea in calves, typically affecting those under 3 weeks of age.
It can be caused by:
• Viruses (Rotavirus, Coronavirus)
• Bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella)
• Parasites (Cryptosporidium)

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⚠️ Why it matters

Scours isn’t just messy — it can quickly become life-threatening due to:
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Weakness and inability to nurse

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🔍 Signs to watch for:

• Loose or watery manure
• Sunken eyes 👀
• Weakness / slow to stand
• Cold ears or body
• Decreased nursing

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💊 Treatment basics:

Early intervention is KEY 🔑
• Oral electrolytes (don’t stop milk feeding!)
• Warm, dry housing
• IV fluids for severe cases
• Veterinary care if calves are weak or not improving

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🛡️ Prevention tips:

• Ensure adequate colostrum intake (within first 6 hours of life!)
• Keep calving areas clean and dry
• Avoid overcrowding
• Consider scour vaccines for cows pre-calving

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💡 Pro tip: A bright, alert calf with diarrhea is very different from a weak, down calf — don’t wait if they’re not getting up or nursing!

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📞 If you’re dealing with scours this season, give us a call — we’re happy to help you put together a treatment and prevention plan tailored to your herd.

RuralVet CattleHealth

03/16/2026

🐴 Case of the Day: Oden the Mini Horse

Meet Oden, a tough 20-year-old miniature gelding who recently came to see us with a painful eye that just wouldn’t heal. Despite treatment, the corneal lesion continued to worsen and was highly suspicious for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) — a common eye cancer in horses.

Because the lesion was progressing and causing Oden significant discomfort, the decision was made to surgically remove his right eye (enucleation) to eliminate the tumor and relieve his pain.

Oden was an absolute champion throughout surgery and recovery. 💙

The removed tissue was sent to the lab, and the results confirmed corneal squamous cell carcinoma with clean margins, meaning the cancer was successfully removed.

Today, Oden is feeling great and adjusting well to life with one eye — and best of all, he is now a cancer survivor! 🎉

Horses adapt incredibly well to losing an eye, and most go on to live happy, comfortable lives once the painful eye is removed.

👏 Great work by Dr. Kala and her amazing RVTs Ellian and Karmyn, with special assistance from 4th-year UCVM veterinary student Louise!

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⚠️ Did you know?
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common eye tumor in horses, especially in older horses or those with light pigmentation around the eyes. Early detection and treatment can make a big difference.

If you notice:
• Non-healing eye ulcers
• Persistent redness or swelling
• A raised or cloudy lesion on the eye

It’s always best to have your veterinarian take a look.

03/12/2026

🐮 Case of the Week – A Unique Little Bull Calf!

This 7-day-old bull calf came into the clinic after his owner noticed something unusual — one testicle was very large while the other was extremely small.

On examination, the calf was bright, alert, and otherwise clinically normal. There was no hernia, no pain, and no signs of infection or trauma. Occasionally calves are born with uneven or poorly developed testicles, which can happen during development before birth.

Because this condition can lead to future fertility concerns and may have a genetic component, the decision was made to castrate the calf here at the clinic.

Dr. Emmalyn and her assistant RVT Sheila performed the assessment and procedure, and everything went smoothly. We’re happy to report that this little guy has been doing great since! 🐄

💡 Did you know?
Sometimes calves are born with developmental abnormalities of the reproductive organs. Early veterinary evaluation helps producers make the best management decisions for both the animal and the herd.

Great teamwork by our clinic staff and the calf’s attentive owners!

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03/10/2026

🧵 Case of the Week: When Curiosity Gets Cats in Trouble! 🐱

This sweet cat came in to see us on after-hours emergency after swallowing something very dangerous — a sewing needle attached to thread.

X-rays quickly revealed the needle lodged in the throat with the string extending further down the digestive tract. This type of situation can become extremely serious very quickly. When cats swallow string or thread, it can act like a saw inside the intestines and often requires major abdominal surgery.

Fortunately, this kitty was very lucky.

After careful sedation, Dr. Gabe and his RVT Madisen were able to make a small incision over the needle and remove the entire needle and thread safely, avoiding a much more invasive abdominal surgery. The whole piece came out intact!

This is a great reminder that string, thread, yarn, ribbon, and sewing needles are extremely dangerous for cats. Many cats love to play with them, but if swallowed they can cause life-threatening intestinal injuries.

🐾 Tips to keep your pets safe:
• Store sewing supplies safely out of reach
• Never leave string, thread, or yarn unattended
• Monitor toys that have long strings or ribbons
• If you ever see string coming from your pet’s mouth or rear end — do NOT pull it

We’re so happy this kitty had a great outcome and could go home without needing major surgery!

If your pet has an emergency, don’t hesitate to call Fort Macleod Veterinary Clinic — we’re here to help. 🐾

03/03/2026

🐴✨ Student Spotlight! ✨🐴

We are excited to welcome 4th year UCVM veterinary student, Louise Caplan, to Fort Macleod Veterinary Clinic for the next 3 weeks!

Louise has a strong passion for equine medicine and is very horse-focused — so you may see her out on farm calls, assisting with lameness exams, performance workups, surgeries, and everything in between.

Fourth year rotations are where veterinary students gain hands-on experience in real-world practice, and we’re proud to be part of that training journey.

If you see Louise around the clinic or out in the field, please say hi and help us give her a warm southern Alberta welcome! 🤠

We’re excited to have you with us, Louise!

MixedAnimalPractice

Address

609 12th Street
Fort Macleod, AB
T0L0Z0

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 8pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

http://fortmacleodveterinaryclinic.ca/

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