La Vernia Veterinary Hospital

04/25/2025

Rattlesnakes are out and about, so be careful. 🐍

La Vernia Vet has only been open 2 months, and we’ve already treated 3 bites. Fortunately, all three pets are doing well after treatment.

FYI: We keep both the rattlesnake vaccine and antivenin treatment in stock.

However, the sole manufacturer of the rattlesnake vaccine is currently not producing any product due to issues with their USDA license renewal, which has caused a nationwide vaccine shortage.

I currently have 20 rattlesnake vaccine doses left in stock and am on a waiting list to get more. It’s hard to say when the company will begin manufacturing again.

04/11/2025

We aim to figure out how our patients are most comfortable when examining etc, and some are just most comfortable in our laps.😌

04/07/2025

Y’all —

It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 weeks since our opening day. 🤯

Time goes by so fast!

My youngest, Tinsley, is getting so big too!🥺

She turned 5 months old last week and is happy to essentially grow up in veterinary clinic.

Since opening this place, I have had so much support from the community which I am so very thankful!

I have met so many nice people and have already made some special memories.

Thank you so much!
🩷Dr. Sczepanik

03/17/2025

We love our sweet patients. 🩷

03/14/2025

Update: 3/14: The owner has been found. Thank you for sharing!

A client came in today with an intact shih tzu she found in the Paloma neighborhood off of I-10 and 1604. She currently has him and is looking for the owner. He’s not microchipped. Let us know if you’re missing your pup!

03/11/2025

In honor of International Women’s Day that just passed! 💃

To all my fellow female entrepreneurs, I see you!👀

Continue working hard on your goals and dreams. Don’t stop. The path may seem long, but it’s a short time of sacrifices compared to a continued lifetime of joy.

I spent 10 years in college (BS, MS, & DVM) that felt like an eternity at the time.

There were so many sleepless nights, so many tests, so many years living paycheck to paycheck, but the journey was so worth it.

Every day, I am literally living my dream. It’s year 9 of my professional career, but things just seem to get better and better as time as goes on. My job never gets old. I just continue to meet some amazing people and animals every single day.

I’ve grown so much as a person via my career, personal development, continuing education, and via the relationships I continue to make on the daily.

God blesses everyone with individual talents, so do not take for granted your unique gifts.

Do not chase what others expect of you.

Discover what brings you joy, and follow that!

Then, do not stop.

Even after you reach your goals, keep building and keep growing.

Allow your gifts to continue to bless others, especially ones that may not yet see their own light.

Thank you everyone for giving me this opportunity to chase my dreams closer to my home and family.

⭐️Doc

03/06/2025

Yesterday’s ribbon cutting was very windy (as you can tell from the pictures), but it was still very special and memorable!

Thank you to the Chamber for hosting it and to everyone for attending!

Additional thanks to Elanco, IDEXX Laboratories, and Zoetis for sponsoring door prizes, food, and drinks!

This business has been a dream come true for me and my family. It’s given me the opportunity to spend more time with them, while forming long-lasting special bonds with members of the La Vernia community and their pets.

03/03/2025

Don’t forget about tomorrow 🥳
I’ll see y’all then!
There will be door prizes, refreshments, and food!

Anyone is welcome to attend!
Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Feel free to share!

03/02/2025

Today’s work day ended with super cute Aussie puppies.

I helped Sully Creek Aussie Puppies get their pups’ tails into shape. You can contact them via their website @ SullyCreekAussies.com.

Our clinic is open 5 days a week including Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome!

This opening week has been a dream come true. It’s still hard to believe where we are now from where we started in September with the renovation of the old bar/house.

I look forward to showing the community the building transformation during our open house on Tuesday, March 4, starting at 1:30 pm.🥳.

Thank you all for your support!!

03/01/2025

Announcement:
Another option to request appointments is via our clinic texting system: 830-283-5958. Be sure to leave your name, pet’s name, scheduling preferences, and contact number.

When we’re in the office, we can give you a call to officially set up a time slot for you.

This number is also another method for general communication besides calling or emailing us.

Thank you for your support!

02/25/2025

It’s still hard to believe that today was opening day!

It was really good to meet everyone today!

We really appreciate everyone’s patience as we discover our flow with a newly formed team, medical records system, building, etc.

We never like to rush through any exam either.

Even if we’re a little behind, we will aim to make sure all clients and pets get the same attention and time. 😄

Thank you to all for supporting our small business.

God bless,
Doc🩷

02/22/2025

Notice:
For anyone requesting a spay or neuter via the portal, your appointment will be for a pre-surgical consultation, not the actual procedure yet.

This allows me an opportunity to meet you, examine your pet (to see if there are any issues that may affect surgery), supply estimates, answer any questions, and go over surgical expectations and time availabilities.

When I do surgeries, it’s always on a day I block off for surgeries, so my attention is solely on them. I will never do surgeries randomly, unless they’re an emergency.

-Dr. Sczepanik

02/22/2025

Notice: It’s been brought to my attention that some people are getting automated emails, stating that their appts are cancelled. Please disregard that!

I believe it may be due to us deleting the portal request after manually inputting the appointment into the schedule.

So far, no appointments have been cancelled.
I will try to get this issue corrected asap.
Thank you so much for your understanding!

02/22/2025

Anyone is welcome to attend!
Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Feel free to share!

02/21/2025

We’ve been doing employee training all week this week in preparation for our upcoming opening/launch day, Monday, February 24th.🥳

Today, we had our first official Lunch & Learn with Zoetis.

Special thanks to Zoetis reps, Debbie and Brian, for hosting it and to The Den for catering it. 😇

02/12/2025

If you requested an appointment via the portal link, a suggested time and date (based on your preferences) are being sent back to your email for confirmation. If the suggested time does not work, please let me know! I want to help accommodate everyone as best
as possible.

02/11/2025

Hi friends & family,

The online pet portal is now available to make appointments: https://petportal.vet/la-vernia-veterinary-hospital

Opening date will be February 24th!🥳
We will be available by phone (830-253-4333) and in person starting that day.

Notes:
Surgical appointments will require a pre-surgical exam/consultation.

I ordered equine vaccines to be able to provide that service in addition to mostly small animal.
I have a small amount of large animal (e.g. cattle, equine, pigs, sheep, goats) supplies and medications.

Please reach out to me to see if I can accommodate your particular large animal need before booking.

Thank you for supporting our small family-owned business! I look forward to meeting all of you!

Blessings,
Dr. Katya Sczepanik

01/22/2025

Mark your calendars and share the word. 🥳

The goal opening date is February 24th!

I plan to have an appointment booking link available prior to opening for the public’s convenience. I’ll post it on this page once it’s ready.

When we’re officially open, you’ll be able to book online, in person, or by phone!😄
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Clinic hours and information:
Mondays: 8 am - 6 pm
Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays: 8 am - 6 pm
Thursdays: 8 am - 6 pm
Fridays: 8 am - 6 pm
Saturdays: 9 am to 5 pm
Sundays: Closed

Clinic phone number: 830-253-4333 (accessible on day of opening)

Address: 528 FM 1346, La Vernia, TX 78121
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Notes:

A limited number of drop-off slots will be available as early as 30 minutes prior to clinic opening on days we’re open.

We designed the building to be comfortable and easily accessible for clients with wheelchairs or
walkers.

Some of our staff is bilingual, so we’ll be able to accommodate Spanish-only speakers.

At this time, boarding and grooming will not be available, but our goal is to have that sector open in the near future.

We will be able to accommodate a few day boarders in our main clinic building.

I plan to have an open house for the public’s viewing an evening prior to opening. Date TBA.
😄

Please message me if you have any questions!

I look forward to meeting everyone! Thank you so much for your support. 🤗

Katya Sczepanik, MS, DVM