Plateau Valley Animal Hospital LLC

09/09/2025

We understand that animal emergencies can happen, and unexpected expenses can be challenging to pay. To help, we partner with several finance programs that allow you to spread out the cost of care.

We have recently added Cherry Financing to our list of providers, and we encourage you to check them out! Visit https://pay.withcherry.com/plateau-valley-animal-hospital-rifle or scan the QR code to learn more.

09/04/2025

Last week, we said goodbye to Maura, our Collbran veterinary technician; we wish her all the best in Oklahoma!

We’re happy to let our Collbran clients know that Calla — Dr. Dennison’s daughter, a Plateau Valley School graduate, and our skilled technician from Rifle — is returning to Collbran. We’re so excited to have her back in the Collbran office!

She's available in Collbran on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. For all our Rifle clients who already miss her, she'll be in Rifle on Tuesdays. Stop in and say hello!

07/03/2025

Tomorrow we celebrate the freedom, courage, and values that built this country—and still shine strong in small towns like ours. We’re proud to live and work in a place where patriotism runs deep, hard work is honored, and neighbors look out for one another. We’re also grateful for your continued trust in us to care for your animals. Thank you for your business; wishing you a safe, joyful, and proud Independence Day.

06/21/2025

Keep Your Pups Safe This Fourth of July!

Fireworks are great for celebrating freedom… but not so great for your dog’s nerves. While we’re out there oohing and aahing, they’re under the bed, wondering why the world is ending and why no one else seems concerned.

To help your pup keep their cool this Independence Day, here are some friendly tips from your team at Plateau Valley Animal Hospital:

At-Home Fixes:
* A good ol' belly rub can help take the edge off.
* Crank up the TV, turn on a fan, or put on some “calm dog music” (yes, that’s a real thing—YouTube it).
* Make a little den: a crate with a blanket over it, a laundry room hideout, a cool basement room, or even your closet—basically, anywhere they can channel their inner raccoon.
* Thunder shirts are like a weighted hug from grandma. (Google it!)
* Provide a distraction: peanut butter in a Kong, a new toy, or whatever treat makes them forget the sky is exploding.

Medicated Calm-Downs:
* Pheromone sprays or aromatherapy (like lavender and chamomile) can help -- just don't let them eat any of it!
* Calming chews or CBD treats may mellow them out just enough to avoid a full-blown panic.
* But, for the pups who go full on panic mode at the first firecracker, we’ve got safe, effective meds that can help. These won’t knock your dog into next week—they’ll just take the edge off so everyone survives the evening with their dignity (and drywall) intact. Give us a call before the 4th so we can get you set up.

Plateau Valley Animal Hospital is proud to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy—hard-won and deeply valued. The Fourth of July is about more than fireworks and barbecues—it’s about honoring the country we love. So while we salute the red, white, and blue, let’s not forget our furry friends who may not understand the fanfare but are part of the family all the same.

Happy Fourth of July to you all!

06/10/2025

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of attending Dr. Allysen Perkins’ graduation. Starting next week, she will officially join the team at Plateau Valley Animal Hospital. We look forward to extending our availability in both clinics, and we appreciate your patience and support as we make this very exciting transition! Please give us a call to schedule an appointment!

06/02/2025

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Allysen Perkins to the Plateau Valley Animal Hospital team. Her official start date is Monday, June 16, 2025. Her knowledge, energy, and warmth will be a great asset to our clients and their animals.
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Dr. Allysen Perkins, a Northern California native, graduated from Del Oro High School in 2017. During high school, she was active in FFA—serving as chapter president—and participated in livestock shows and rodeo competitions. These early experiences with agriculture and large animals led her to Colorado State University (CSU), where she earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science with a minor in Biomedical Science in 2021 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2025.

Dr. Perkins has always had a passion for large animals, which is reflected in her academic and extracurricular focus. While at CSU, she served as president of the Small Ruminant Practitioners Club and was active in the Student Chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, participating on the board, quiz bowl team, and palpation team. Her elective coursework also emphasized large animal care, including equine lameness, equine medicine, and ruminant medicine. Although large animals are her passion, Dr. Perkins is also drawn to small animal medicine. She appreciates the unique challenges each case presents, the continuity of treatment, and the opportunities to develop meaningful connections with her clients.
Dr. Perkins met her husband, Reid, while attending Colorado State University, and the couple married in 2023. They live in Mesa, CO, where they enjoy riding horses and training their six dogs—five of them Idaho Shags.

Dr. Perkins’s decision to join Plateau Valley Animal Hospital was a purposeful one. She knew she wanted to work in a rural mixed-animal practice, and her partnership with Dr. Dennison has been in the works since her very first semester of vet school. When asked why she chose Western Colorado, she simply said, “I can’t picture myself being anywhere else.”

05/18/2025

Dr. Dennison's very talented daughter, Koralynn Dennison, visited PVAH last week and took some super cute pictures of some of our patients. We thought we'd share a few.

04/19/2025

We wish you all a happy Easter!

03/19/2025

We are excited to partner with Vetcove for all your medication needs. The Vetcove online pharmacy makes it easy to request prescriptions, ship them to your home, and receive competitive prices. If you have questions, please visit the FAQ on our Vetcove website or give us a call!

01/28/2025

01/28/2025

Non Profit Organization providing quality veterinary care for a discounted price to Seniors.

01/26/2025

Small Animal Case of the Week

Porcupines!!

Porcupines are stocky, medium-sized rodents with short legs and high-arching backs. They are known for their sharp quills, which cover their upper body and sides from head to tail, except for the face, ears, and belly. Porcupines have about 30,000 quills, which are barbed and hollow, and can range from 1–4 inches long. They are loosely attached and come off easily when a predator makes contact.

Misconceptions:

Porcupines throw their quills:

Porcupines cannot throw their quills. Instead, they raise their quills to create a barrier to discourage predators.

Porcupine quills fall out on their own:

Porcupine quills do not fall out on their own. They can work their way deeper into the skin and may pe*****te vital organs.

Porcupines are aggressive:

Porcupines are rarely aggressive, but they will defend themselves by charging or swatting with their tail.

What's the truth?

Porcupines are nocturnal rodents with thousands of quills that protect them from predators.
When threatened, porcupines raise their quills, which can detach and burrow into an attacker's flesh.
Porcupine quills are coated with an antibiotic chemical to prevent infection.

Porcupines have poor eyesight but a strong sense of smell and hearing.
Porcupines use their large incisors to gnaw on food, trees, cabins and other wood structures and can be very destructive.

Porcupines have a thick muscular tail that they can use as a weapon.

Here’s the Rub on removal of porcupine quills..
If you only see 6 or less quills and they are not close to the eye, Grab a pair of needle nose pliers and a helper. Pull the quills straight out in a rapid fashion.
If you have any that break off.. watch for signs of infection/festering. Antibiotics are not usually needed. Whatever you do, DO NOT CUT THE QUILL. There is no truth in that myth..

If you see twenty or more, the likelihood of even the best dog remaining cooperative until they are all removed is questionable.. or If the quills are close to the eye or in the mouth.. bring your dog in. We will sedate remove the quills internal and external. In severe cases, they will
Need antibiotics and pain meds..

There is also a misconception that you cannot shoot porcupines..

You can shoot porcupines in Colorado if they are causing damage to your property or animals You can also trap them. You don't need a license to hunt porcupines for this purpose.

Explanation:

In Colorado, you can hunt wildlife that is damaging your property without a license.
This includes porcupines, coyotes, raccoons, and more.
You can also trap nuisance wildlife using live traps.
You can sell or trade the pelts or hides of nuisance wildlife if you have a small game or furbearer license.

Unfortunately, not all dogs learn there lesson.. some do, some don’t. I have pulled quills from the same dogs over and over and over…

Good luck out there!!