Urban Livestock & Equine Veterinary Services

06/19/2026

Continuing Education Weekend 📚🐾

Our entire team is currently attending the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association (AZVMA) Desert West Connection conference for continuing education and training.

As veterinary professionals, ongoing education is an important part of providing the highest quality care for our patients. We are spending the weekend learning about the latest advancements in veterinary medicine, patient care, and treatment options so we can continue bringing that knowledge back to our community.

Please note that our team is away from the clinic and not actively monitoring phones, emails, or messages. We will respond to all non-urgent inquiries when we return on Monday.

If you are experiencing a veterinary emergency, please leave a voicemail on our main line stating that it is an emergency, and one of our team members will reach out as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we invest in continuing education to better serve you and your animals. We look forward to sharing what we’ve learned!

Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services
40825 N. Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
480-436-4970
[email protected]
urbanlivestockvet.com

06/19/2026

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life threatening condition that affects dogs of all ages. The scary part? It only takes one mosquito bite to transmit heartworms!

Heartworms live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, causing damage that can lead to coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulties, heart failure, and even death if left untreated.

The good news is that heartworm disease is preventable!

Year round heartworm prevention is one of the easiest ways to protect your dog from this dangerous disease. Prevention is safer, simpler, and far less expensive than treating an active heartworm infection.

Not sure if your dog is up to date on heartworm testing or prevention? Give us a call. Our team can help you find the best option for your pet, including monthly preventatives and ProHeart 12 annual injections.

Protect your best friend before mosquitoes become a problem.

Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services
40825 N. Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
480-436-4970
[email protected]
urbanlivestockvet.com

06/18/2026

🐾 Small Animal Procedures at Urban Livestock 🐾

Did you know we offer a wide range of surgical procedures for dogs and cats right here at our clinic?

Our team performs everything from routine spays and neuters to dental procedures, mass removals, cystotomies, enucleations, cherry eye repairs, gastropexies, and more.

Whether your pet needs a routine procedure or a more advanced surgery, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process. We understand that surgery can be stressful for owners, which is why we take the time to answer questions, discuss treatment options, and provide personalized care for every patient.

If your pet has a lump you've been monitoring, dental disease that needs attention, or a condition requiring surgical treatment, give us a call to schedule an exam and discuss your options.

Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services
📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 Call: 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com

06/17/2026

Summer Tips for Alpacas & Llamas in Arizona 🦙☀️

Alpacas and llamas are much more comfortable in cooler temperatures, so Arizona summers can be especially challenging for them.

Here are a few tips to help keep them safe:
☀️ Provide plenty of shade
Natural shade, covered shelters, or shade cloth can make a huge difference during the hottest parts of the day.
💧 Keep fresh water available at all times
Check water sources frequently and make sure troughs stay clean and cool. Some animals may drink more than usual during extreme heat.
✂️ Shear before it gets hot
Many alpacas benefit from annual shearing before summer arrives. Removing excess fiber helps them regulate their body temperature more effectively.
🌬️ Increase airflow
Fans, misters, and well ventilated shelters can help keep animals comfortable. Be cautious with misters if humidity levels are high.
🌅 Adjust feeding and activity times
Perform handling, transportation, and other stressful activities during the cooler morning or evening hours whenever possible.
🌡️ Watch for signs of heat stress
Signs can include:
• Open mouth breathing
• Rapid breathing
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Weakness
• Reluctance to move
• Elevated body temperature

🚨 Heat stress is an emergency. If you suspect your alpaca or llama is overheating, move them to a cool area, begin cooling measures, and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Arizona summers are tough, but with proper management your alpacas and llamas can stay healthy and comfortable all season long! 🦙❤️

Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services
📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 Call: 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com

06/16/2026

Did you know Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services sees exotic pets too? 🦎🐰🐹

From bearded dragons and rabbits to guinea pigs and more, our team is here to help care for the unique pets that make your family complete!

Exotic pets have very specific health, husbandry, and nutritional needs, and subtle signs of illness can be easy to miss. Whether your pet needs a wellness exam, diagnostics, dental care, or you just have questions about their care, we’re here to help.
Because every species deserves quality veterinary care ❤️

Call today to schedule your exotic pet’s appointment!

📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com

06/15/2026

06/15/2026

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KADE 🛠️🐾

This one is extra special because today we’re highlighting someone who wears more hats than we can count… Kade!

As co-owner of Urban Livestock & Equine Veterinary Services (and Dr. McKinney’s husband), Kade has truly been the glue holding so much together these past several months!

From major clinic improvements like new windows to help battle the Arizona summer heat, building new stalls, painting around the clinic, fixing the endless little things that pop up, and keeping the building running smoothly… Kade has been nonstop!
But his role goes way beyond maintenance projects.

You’ll find Kade helping reception, working on the schedule, jumping in to help the tech team, assisting Dr. McKinney when needed, solving problems behind the scenes, and somehow still finding time to make us laugh.

To many of us, Kade is our "work dad" 💙 Always willing to lend a hand, offer support, fix whatever is broken, or step in exactly when needed.

Running a veterinary practice takes an entire team, and while many of our clients may not always see everything happening behind the scenes, we definitely do and we are incredibly grateful for Kade.

Thank you, Kade, for everything you do for this team, this clinic, and the animals we care for every single day. We’d honestly all be a little lost without you.

📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 Call: 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com

06/13/2026

Dr. Ray brings a passion for mixed animal medicine, a dedication to providing exceptional patient care, and a genuine love for the people and animals she serves. We know our clients and patients are going to love getting to know her.

Below is a message and introduction from Dr. Ray. Please join us in giving her a warm Urban Veterinary Services welcome!

"Raised as a proud Indiana Hoosier, my path to veterinary medicine took a bit of a scenic route. While I didn’t grow up on a farm, I discovered my true calling for large animal medicine during my undergraduate years at Purdue. I followed that passion all the way to the University of Missouri, where I will be earning my Doctorate come May. While I have a deep-seated love for livestock and equine medicine, one of the best parts of this profession is the variety. I truly enjoy the privilege and challenge of caring for our smaller, furry companions as much as our bigger friends. When I’m off the clock, I’m usually out walking with my dog, Pinto, birdwatching, or enjoying the outdoors with my family. I am also a massive foodie, so I enjoy cooking as well as trying new restaurants! I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at Urban Livestock, and I truly look forward to meeting you and your animals in-person!"

06/12/2026

Fun Fact Friday ☀️🐷
Did you know pigs can get sunburned just like people?!

That Arizona sunshine is no joke, and our piggy friends can absolutely end up with painful sunburn, irritated skin, peeling, and even heat stress if they do not have proper protection.

If you have pigs at home, help keep them safe with:
☀️ Plenty of shade
💧 Constant access to fresh water
🛁 Mud or cooling areas since mud acts like their natural sunscreen
🩺 Monitoring for signs of overheating or skin irritation
Cute fact, important reminder ❤️

We care for more than just cats and dogs. From piggies to poultry, goats to guinea pigs, and everything in between, we are here for all species.
Urban Livestock and Equine Veterinary Services

📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 Call: 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com

06/11/2026

One of the best parts of what we do is the relationships we build with your pets❤️🐾

Every single member of our team treats your animals like they’re our own, because to us, they truly matter that much!
Whether it’s belly rubs for piggies, puppy snuggles between appointments, helping nervous pets feel safe, or full blown tortoise photoshoots because we simply cannot resist, loving your pets comes naturally to us 🐶🐷🐢🐰

Veterinary medicine is so much more than exams, treatments, and procedures. It’s the privilege of meeting your beloved family members, earning their trust, celebrating their wins, and being there for them when they need us most.

We genuinely love what we do, and getting to meet the incredible pets that come through our doors and out on farm calls is something we never take for granted.

Thank you for trusting us with the animals you love most ❤️

📍 40825 N Jackrabbit Rd, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
📞 480-436-4970
📧 [email protected]
🌐 urbanlivestockvet.com