Prairie Mountain Veterinary Services

03/17/2025

UPCOMING VACATION:
3/26-4/3

Dr. McDonald will be out of the country. Please ensure you are prepared for an emergency if one were to arise.
- have a stocked emergency kit (bandage supplies/NSAIDs)
- have the ability to haul to a referral center if needed
- avoid making changes during that time including changes to feed, exercise routine, and medications.

03/02/2025

Spring is almost here! Which means…it's time to schedule your equine companion to receive their spring vaccinations!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your equine friend should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your animal and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

03/02/2025

02/09/2025

This was not a case I expected to have on my bingo card. I’m grateful to have a great team to follow my directions and get me what I needed in order to help get this mare to safety. Sedation, anesthesia, treatment for shock, pain management, and a few other treatments to make sure she was ok. A big thank you to my clients who operate CART for their support and horse knowledge to make this rescue mission a success!

01/15/2025

Extreme Cold Tips

1: if your horse wears a blanket ensure they are dry and ready to go. Blankets are useful for horses that have been body-clipped because they have lost the added layer of insulation the hair provides, but blankets must be applied responsibly. Always replace or remove a soaked blanket immediately because the moisture will freeze, trapping the cold and causing the horse to lose precious body heat. If your horse wears a blanket, there should be at least two or three on hand so a soaked article can be traded out for a dry one.

2: give your horses extra HAY to eat not grain. Horses must increase their caloric intake roughly 15-20 percent for every 10-degree drop in temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

3: check their water. The average sized horse needs approx 10 gallons of water daily for maintenance. Recent research has demonstrated that horses will drink more water during cold weather if the water is warmed to between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

4: providing electrolytes (oral paste preferred) 1 to 2 times daily approx 12-24 hours prior to major weather changes can help encourage water consumption and reduce the risk of impaction colics.

5: shelter is recommended to protect them against wind gusts especially horses without blankets.

12/25/2024

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

11/28/2024

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Wishing everyone a wonderful day filled with great food and memories. I am beyond grateful to all of my wonderful clients that allow me to provide care to their four legged counterparts.

09/29/2024

*UPCOMING VACATION*

Dr. McDonald will be enjoying some much needed mountain time to relax and recharge from
October 2 to October 6th.

All calls and messages will be retuned Monday the 7th.

Please take this time to review your emergency kits and plans in case they are needed. If you have questions please reach out prior to the second.

08/29/2024

I am in complete OPPOSITION of Initiative 145. Trying to solve the veterinary shortage crisis by creating an under qualified position will only create further risk to patient care and directly undermines the extensive education required for veterinarians to be able to perform these tasks.

Three semesters of online learning and one semester of introductory hands on clinics is NOT sufficient to be able to diagnose, treat, and perform surgery.

This theory is part of a large corporate medicine push that is happening in veterinary medicine. They want to add this imtermediate level to pay less in wages and increase their profit margin at the cost of your animal’s care.

Please read and share the article to learn how dangerous this idea is. The fact that EVERY veterinary association is opposed to this idea should speak volumes.

Colorado Proposed Initiative #145 will ask Colorado voters this November whether the state should establish the position of veterinary professional associate (VPA).

02/29/2024

Goats will be goats 🐐🤣

02/12/2024

...how often do you seek answers on Google or on social media?

In all seriousness, we're not saying that all Internet advice is bad. You can and should use the online resources available to your advantage—like to find good tips for basic training issues or to learn more about specific diseases. But this is your reminder that there are MANY reasons to start with your own veterinarian when you're seeking answers about your horse's health.

An Internet consultation might sound like the cheapest option at first but it cannot replace the physical exam performed by a trained and experienced veterinarian, and in the end treatment without a proper diagnoses could prove more costly and time consuming.

Your horse doctor invested a lot of time and resources in their training to be able to provide the highest standard of care to their patients—trust them to care for your horse as much as you do!

02/05/2024

¡UPCOMING VACATION ANNOUNCEMENT!

Dr. McDonald will be out of the country from February 16th until February 25th. All calls and messages will be returned on February 26th.

If any medications need refills please reach out prior to the 16th.

Please make sure your emergency kits are prepared in case they are needed.

Most importantly if you do have an emergency be prepared to haul your horse up north. If you do not have the ability to haul your horse, then make sure to find a friend who would be willing to help in case of emergency.

Nearest referral hospitals:
Littleton Equine: 303-794-6359
Colorado State University: 970-297-5000

12/25/2023

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Once again I am beyond grateful to all of my wonderful clients who entrust the care of their four-legged counterparts with me.

I am looking forward to working alongside you all once again in 2024!

- Dr. McDonald

09/18/2023

It is hard to believe it is already FALL vaccine booster time!

Did you know that the flu/rhino vaccine should be boosted every 3-6 months depending on individual risk exposure. Make sure your horses are protected against the contagious viruses equine influenza and equine herpes 1 & 4 if you plan to have your horses around others this fall/winter season.

Call or text 719-251-9236 to schedule your appointment.

08/10/2023

Is your horse vaccinated for West Nile Virus?

Dr. McDonald has recently diagnosed a horse with West Nile Virus and many other cases have been reported in surrounding counties. Please monitor your horses for any abnormal behavior, ataxia (stumbling), going off feed, drooping lips and/or tilted ears/head. Be sure to help prevent mosquitoes at dawn and dusk with reducing standing water, applying mosquito spray, and having fans in stalls.

If your horse has not been vaccinated annually for WNV or you are unsure of their vaccination status, please call and schedule an appointment to have your horse given a booster to help prevent this deadly virus.

See further information at:
https://equinediseasecc.org/Content/ContentDocs/DiseaseFactsheet_WNV%20Cobranded.pdf

08/01/2023

This is a greatly needed option for small animal care! Opening soon!

We are a 24/7 Emergency & Specialty Vet Referral Center on the Northern end of Colorado Springs!

07/17/2023

I will never stop preaching the importance of sedated oral exams and dental floats to be performed by your veterinarian. I’ve been checking a lot of horses who have recently been floated by a lay floater who insists sedation isn’t needed.

This case was a prime example of what I’ve been noticing. She had 2 fractured molars and 1 tooth that required extraction. Not to mention basically none of the teeth were properly floated. None of this was noted by the lay floater or even mentioned.

Please do your horse a favor and ensure they get the proper dental care they deserve including a SEDATED oral exam.