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Monday 7:45am - 5:30pm Tuesday 7:45am - 5:30pm Wednesday 7:45am - 5:30pm Thursday 7:45am - 5:30pm Friday 7:45am - 5:30pm

Butler Veterinary Clinic

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Valentine, NE
Butler Veterinary Clinic

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Butler Veterinary Clinic is a family owned and operated veterinary hospital since 1960. We offer 24/7, top-of-the-line emergency and animal care.

The quality and care your animals receive here at Butler Veterinary Clinic is unrivaled in the area. We have a long, respected history in serving the Sandhills and surrounding areas since 1960 with exceptional veterinary care for both your large and small animals. We were the first clinic in the area to bring in-house diagnostic blood work, digital x-ray, ultrasound, and laser therapy and surgery into our daily practice. We have made this clinic our family’s priority and we offer an experienced staff who understand your worries and strive for the best communication possible. Butler Veterinary Clinic is a full service hospital that offers everything from preventative care to sick patient and emergency care.

11/09/2026

This guy took a stroll down the 4 lane. Found inside Valentine City Limits. Must provide proof of ownership and rabies vaccine! Call 402-376-1500

11/06/2026

🎶 “My puppy brings all the techs to the room, and they’re like… it’s cuter than yours!” 🐾💕

We had a very special visitor at BVC today! We love seeing rare breeds and this Portuguese Water Dog is the perfect first representative of the breed for Leah & Ellie - two of our techs!

💉 Puppy Shots = Protection for a Lifetime!

Those adorable puppy visits are about more than just cuddles! Puppies are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and adenovirus. Their maternal antibodies gradually decrease as they grow, leaving a window of vulnerability where vaccination is essential.

Puppies typically need a series of vaccinations every 2–4 weeks until they are at least 20 weeks old to help build strong, lasting immunity. Staying on schedule is especially important for protecting your puppy against serious, potentially life-threatening diseases.

🐾 Bringing home a new puppy? Contact BVC to get your newest family member started on the right paw with a personalized vaccination and preventative care plan!

11/06/2026

🐄 CALVING SEASON STARTS NOW: CHECK YOUR COWS' BODY CONDITION!

Want strong calves with the best possible start in life? It begins with momma cow's nutrition before she ever calves!

🩺 Why does body condition score (BCS) matter?
A cow's nutritional status leading up to calving plays an important role in colostrum production and quality. Cows that are too thin may not have adequate energy reserves to support late pregnancy, calving, and early lactation. Poor nutrition can also affect the amount of colostrum available and the cow's ability to meet her calf's needs.

🍼 Remember: Colostrum is a calf's first line of defense! It provides essential antibodies that help protect newborn calves from disease. Calves need to receive enough high-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth to absorb those antibodies effectively.

🌾 What should you be doing now?
▫Body condition score your cows while there's still time to make nutritional adjustments.
▫Evaluate your feed program to ensure cows are receiving adequate energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins.
▫Pay extra attention to thin cows that may need additional nutritional support.
▫Plan ahead! It's much easier to improve body condition before calving than to play catch-up after the calf arrives.

🎯 For mature beef cows, a body condition score around 5 on the 1–9 scale at calving is generally a good target. Your herd's needs may vary depending on age, breed, stage of pregnancy, and feed resources.

Don't wait until calving to find out your cows are too thin! The work you do now can help set both the cow and her calf up for success.

Have questions about your herd's nutrition or preparation for calving season? Contact BVC - we're here to help! 🐄

11/04/2026

🐶👂 EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS: THERE'S OFTEN MORE TO THE STORY!

Is your dog constantly shaking their head, scratching their ears, or dealing with ear infections that keep coming back? An ear infection may seem straightforward, but the underlying cause can make all the difference in getting it resolved!

🔬 WHAT ARE THOSE RODS?
If you've ever seen a sample of your dog's ear under the microscope, you may have noticed tiny rod-shaped bacteria. These bacteria can be particularly challenging to treat because some species, such as Pseudomonas, can produce a protective layer called a biofilm. Biofilms help bacteria stick to surfaces and protect them from the body's defenses and antimicrobial treatments, making infections more difficult to eliminate.

This is one reason why identifying the organisms present and selecting the appropriate treatment is so important!

🐾 WHY DO EAR INFECTIONS KEEP COMING BACK?
Allergies are one of the most common underlying causes of recurrent ear infections in dogs. Environmental or food allergies can cause inflammation in the ear canal, creating an environment where yeast and bacteria can overgrow. Treating the infection alone may provide temporary relief, but without addressing the underlying allergy, the infection may return.

📅 DON'T SKIP THE RECHECK!
Follow-up appointments are a critical part of treating ear infections. Even if your dog stops scratching and the ears look better, the infection may not be completely resolved. Remaining bacteria or yeast can persist at low levels, and signs may not become noticeable again for weeks—making it seem like the infection disappeared when it never fully cleared. Rechecking the ears and examining another sample under the microscope helps us confirm that treatment has worked and determine whether additional therapy is needed. Incomplete treatment and repeated exposure to antibiotics can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making future infections more difficult to treat. Keeping that recheck appointment helps us make sure the infection is truly gone, rather than just temporarily hiding! 🐶👂

🔎 COULD SOMETHING ELSE BE GOING ON?
Not every recurring ear infection is caused by allergies. Other issues, including foreign material, abnormal ear canal changes, and polyps or other growths within the ear canal, may contribute to persistent or one-sided infections. These possibilities are especially important to consider when an ear infection isn't responding as expected.

🩺 WHY AN EAR EXAM MATTERS
At BVC, we can examine your dog's ears and evaluate ear samples under the microscope to help identify bacteria, yeast, and other abnormalities. Some infections may require additional testing, such as a bacterial culture and sensitivity, to help guide treatment.

⚠️ Please don't ignore recurring ear infections! Repeated inflammation can lead to chronic pain, narrowing of the ear canal, and potentially permanent changes. And avoid using leftover ear medications without veterinary guidance—some products may be inappropriate depending on the condition of the eardrum.

If your dog keeps battling ear infections, let's look beyond the symptoms and work toward finding the cause!

📞 Contact BVC to schedule an ear exam.

11/02/2026

🐄💰 BVC EXCLUSIVE REBATES — SAVE INSTANTLY! 💰🐄

BVC has partnered with our distribution partners to bring you exclusive savings on select livestock products! These rebates are available only through BVC, and the best part? Your savings are instant - no mail-in rebates, no waiting, and no extra paperwork!

🌾 SAVE $10 on generic Ivomec® 5L Pour-On

🐮 SAVE $0.50 PER DOSE on scour prevention vaccines:
Merck Animal Health's Guardian®
Elanco's Scour Bos 9®

Whether you're planning ahead for your herd's parasite control or preparing for calving season, now is a great time to take advantage of these savings!

📞 Contact BVC or ask us about these exclusive rebates the next time you place an order. Stock up, save, and get the products your herd needs!

BVC-exclusive savings. Instant rebates. No mail-in required!

11/02/2026

🔬🐾 ONE LAB. ALL SPECIES. FASTER ANSWERS. 🐄🐎🐕🐈

Did you know BVC has one of the most extensive in-house diagnostic laboratory in western Nebraska serving small animals, horses, cattle, and whatever else comes through our doors?

When your animal isn't feeling well, getting answers quickly matters. Having advanced diagnostic capabilities right here at BVC allows us to run a wide variety of tests in-house, helping our veterinarians make timely, informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

🧪 ROUTINE LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS

Our in-house laboratory performs:
🔬 Complete blood counts (CBCs) and chemistry panels to evaluate overall health and organ function.
🧫 Urinalysis to help assess kidney function, urinary tract health, and other medical conditions.
💩 F***l parasite testing for all species, including f***l parasite eggs, protozoa, and Giardia.
🩺 Metabolic testing and other specialized diagnostics.
🐜 Ectoparasite testing and identification.

🔬 CYTOLOGY: LOOKING AT CELLS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Sometimes the answers are found by looking at the cells themselves! Cytology allows us to examine samples collected from skin, ears, masses, and other areas of concern.

We use cytology to help investigate:
🐾 Ear and skin infections, including bacteria and yeast.
🔎 Lumps, bumps, and masses to help characterize abnormal cells.
⚕️ Inflammatory conditions and other cellular abnormalities.

Cytology can often provide valuable diagnostic information quickly and help determine whether additional testing, culture, or biopsy is needed.

🩸 ADVANCED COAGULATION TESTING

BVC offers in-house PT/aPTT testing to evaluate blood clotting function. These tests can be especially important when investigating bleeding disorders, certain toxin exposures, liver disease, or preparing for select procedures.

We're one of only a few veterinary practices in Western Nebraska offering this specialized testing in-house! Having these results available quickly can make a meaningful difference when time matters.

🦠 INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTING

We can test for a variety of infectious diseases, including:
🐱 FeLV and FIV
🐶 Heartworm disease
🐱 Haemobartonella-related testing
🐕 Canine brucellosis
🐄 Bovine tuberculosis testing
and so many more!

💉 SPECIALIZED TESTING FOR MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Our capabilities go far beyond routine bloodwork!
🐕 Canine: Cortisol, progesterone, SDMA (a marker of kidney function), cPL for pancreatic disease, and BNP for cardiac assessment.
🐈 Feline: Cortisol, SDMA, and BNP testing to help investigate adrenal function, kidney health, and heart disease.
🐎 Equine: Progesterone testing, IgG testing to assess passive transfer in newborn foals, and SAA (serum amyloid A), a marker that helps identify and monitor inflammation.
🐄 Bovine: Same-day calcium, glucose, and magnesium testing for down cows, helping us quickly investigate a potentially serious and treatable cause of weakness or recumbency.

❤️ WHAT CAN OUR DIAGNOSTICS HELP US DISCOVER?

Bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology, imaging, and other diagnostic tests provide valuable information about what's happening inside your animal. Combined with a physical examination, they help our veterinarians investigate a wide range of conditions.

🟤 Liver & gallbladder function — evaluating liver health and looking for evidence of liver injury or problems with bile flow.
❤️ Heart health — BNP testing can help assess certain cardiac conditions. We also offer EKGs to evaluate the heart's electrical activity and identify abnormal rhythms, along with ultrasound to assess heart structure and function when indicated.
🫘 Kidney function — chemistry panels, SDMA, and urinalysis help identify and monitor kidney problems.
💧 Bladder & urinary tract health — urinalysis and other testing can help identify urinary inflammation, infection, crystals, and other abnormalities.
⚖️ Metabolic & hormonal diseases — glucose, electrolyte, thyroid, cortisol, and other hormone assessments can help identify imbalances affecting the whole body.
🛡️ Immune-mediated diseases & blood disorders — CBCs, cytology, and additional diagnostic testing can help investigate abnormal immune responses, including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) or immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP), Failure of passive transfer, and Immune-Retroviruses. These conditions can be serious and may require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
🦠 Infectious diseases & inflammation — CBCs, targeted infectious disease tests, cytology, and inflammatory markers help investigate infections and other abnormalities.
🩸 Blood clotting problems — PT/aPTT testing helps evaluate the body's ability to form blood clots.
🔬 Parasite testing - we can identify a wide range of parasites, including intestinal parasite eggs, protozoa, and specific testing for Giardia. External parasites including ear mites, Sarcoptes (scabies) mites, Demodex mites, lice, and other external parasites.

No single test tells the whole story, but having these diagnostic tools available helps us put the pieces together and determine what additional testing or treatment may be needed.

🩻 ADVANCED IMAGING & DIAGNOSTICS

Our diagnostic capabilities don't stop at the laboratory! BVC also offers diagnostic radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound, and EKG. Ultrasound-guided sample collection allows us to obtain samples from selected tissues or fluid-filled structures with imaging assistance, helping us investigate problems that may otherwise be difficult to diagnose.

🩸 BLOOD TYPING & OUR ACTIVE BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM

Sometimes our patients need more than a diagnostic test — they need a lifesaving blood transfusion. BVC offers blood typing and maintains an active blood donor program to help provide blood for patients in need. Appropriate blood typing and crossmatching are especially important for feline transfusions to help reduce the risk of dangerous incompatibility reactions.

❤️ ALL OF THIS, UNDER ONE ROOF!

Whether we're evaluating a sick puppy, investigating kidney disease in a cat, identifying parasites in a herd, assessing a newborn foal, working up a down cow, or investigating a bleeding disorder, BVC has an extensive range of diagnostic tools to help us get answers and make informed treatment decisions.

🔬 SPECIALIZED LABORATORY EXPERTISE — RIGHT HERE AT BVC!

At BVC, our diagnostic capabilities go beyond the equipment we have in-house. Our team is made up of multiple veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians and the area's only Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS(ASCP)), working together to provide comprehensive veterinary care for patients of all species.

From routine bloodwork to specialized testing, our in-house laboratory combines advanced technology with experienced veterinary professionals to help us obtain answers quickly, make informed medical decisions, and provide the best possible care for our patients.

We’re proud to bring this level of diagnostic capability and professional expertise to our rural veterinary community! 🐾🐴🐄

📞 Have questions about our diagnostic capabilities? Contact BVC to learn more!

10/30/2026

🐎 BVC’s Equine Day Recap🐎

Yesterday we saw a total of 34 horses and covered a little bit of everything! From farrier work and dental floats to lameness evaluations, laceration repairs, and routine maintenance, it was a busy day for our Large Animal Team!

A few highlights:
🦷 4 horses with significant dental issues
🦷 5 teeth extracted
🐎 2 torn ligaments evaluated
🐎 2 sole abscesses treated
🤝 3 horses referred to us by neighboring veterinary practices

We’re grateful for the trust our clients and fellow veterinarians place in our team. Days like this showcase the variety of equine care we are able to provide here at BVC!

10/29/2026

🐱🎃 Happy National Cat Day! Let's Celebrate by Helping Cats in Our Community! 🐾

What better way to celebrate National Cat Day on October 29th than by helping make life better for cats everywhere? ❤️

At BVC, we're celebrating by announcing a LOW-COST CAT SPAY & NEUTER DAY on Thursday, November 12th! 🎉

This special surgery day is focused on helping control cat overpopulation by providing affordable spay and neuter services for barn cats, outdoor cats, community cats, and feral cats. Whether you have a few barn cats that need fixing or you're caring for a whole colony, we're here to help!

🐾 Why is spaying and neutering so important?

😺 Fun fact: Kittens can become pregnant as young as 4 months old! Cats can reproduce much earlier than many people realize, and many cats begin showing increased reproductive activity as the days start getting longer in winter. Waiting until spring can mean a whole new generation of kittens is already on the way!

Spaying and neutering helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces the number of homeless cats, and supports healthier cat populations in our communities.

📅 LOW-COST CAT SPAY & NEUTER DAY DETAILS
📍 When: Thursday, November 12th
📞 Appointments are REQUIRED! This is not a walk-in surgery day.

🐈 Who should come?
▫️Barn cats
▫️Outdoor cats
▫️Community cats
▫️Feral and semi-feral cats

💰 Have a whole crew of cats? We're offering additional discounts for households or caretakers bringing 3 or more cats, on top of our already discounted surgery pricing!

🐾 A few important requirements:
▫️Kittens must be at least 2 months old OR weigh at least 2 pounds.
▫️Feral and semi-feral cats MUST arrive in humane live traps (wildlife-style traps) for everyone's safety.
▫️All cats must have an appointment, so please call ahead to reserve your spot!

Help us celebrate National Cat Day by making a difference that lasts long after October 29th. Every spay and neuter helps prevent future unwanted litters and gives cats in our communities a better chance at a healthy life. ❤️

📞 Call BVC today to schedule your November 12th appointment! Spots are limited, so don't wait!

10/28/2026

🐑🪱 Barber Pole Worms: A Tiny Parasite That Can Cause BIG Problems!

Meet the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). This blood-feeding parasite lives in the stomach of small ruminants and can cause significant blood loss, especially during warm, humid weather when parasite numbers can increase rapidly. This is a parasite that is not commonly talked about in our area - because it doesn't affect cattle! You can see where the barber pole worm gets it name - the unique striations of the worm make it very easy to identify!

⚠️ One of the biggest challenges with barber pole worms is that animals may carry heavy parasite burdens without obvious signs until the disease is advanced. By the time an animal looks sick, the problem may already be severe! Barber pole worms can cause anemia, bottle jaw, and even death.

🩺 Why is parasite monitoring so important?

Routine monitoring helps identify parasite problems before they become serious - regardless of species. F***l egg counts can help assess parasite burdens and guide treatment decisions, while tools such as the FAMACHA system allow trained producers to evaluate eyelid color as an indicator of anemia in sheep and goats. Neither method tells the whole story on its own, so results should be considered alongside body condition, production, clinical signs, and veterinary guidance.

💊 Don't just deworm and hope for the best! Overusing dewormers or treating animals unnecessarily contributes to parasite resistance, making medications less effective over time. Targeted treatment, strategic pasture management, appropriate nutrition, and regular monitoring are important parts of a sustainable parasite-control program.

At BVC, we can help you develop a parasite-monitoring and control plan tailored to your herd or flock. Don't wait until you have sick animals to start paying attention to parasites! We all know how intestinal parasites play a role in the profitability of your ranch due to increased feed costs and decreased production - as well as decreased fertility rates.

10/26/2026

🐱🩺 Have You Heard of Rodent Ulcers in Cats?

Despite their name, rodent ulcers have nothing to do with rodents! These sores are a type of skin lesion that commonly develops on a cat’s upper lip and can look alarming to pet owners.

👀 What do rodent ulcers look like?
Rodent ulcers, also called indolent ulcers, are part of a group of skin lesions known as the feline eosinophilic granuloma complex. They often appear as:
🔸 A red, raw sore on the upper lip, sometimes near the nose
🔸 An ulcerated area with raised edges
🔸 A lesion that may look swollen or crusty
🔸 A sore that can gradually become larger if left untreated

Although these ulcers may look painful, some cats show surprisingly little discomfort. However, lesions can become more extensive and interfere with eating if they worsen.

🐾 What causes them?
Rodent ulcers are often associated with an overactive immune response, commonly triggered by allergies. Potential contributors include:
🦟 Flea bites — even a small number of fleas can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive cats.
🍽️ Food allergies — certain dietary proteins may contribute to skin inflammation.
🌿 Environmental allergies — environmental allergens may play a role in some cats.

Some cats develop these lesions without an obvious trigger, so identifying the underlying cause can take time.

🩺 How are rodent ulcers treated?
The right treatment depends on the severity of the lesion and what is causing it. Your veterinarian may recommend medications to control inflammation, treatment for fleas and other parasites, or a dietary trial if a food allergy is suspected. In some cases, additional testing or a biopsy is needed to rule out other conditions, including certain infections or cancer.

⚠️ Don't assume every lip sore is a rodent ulcer! Other conditions can look similar, and persistent or worsening sores should be examined by a veterinarian.

❤️ The bottom line: If you notice a sore on your cat’s lip, don't wait for it to become larger. Early evaluation can help us identify the cause, start appropriate treatment, and keep your feline friend comfortable.

📞 Have questions about a sore on your cat's lip? Contact BVC to schedule an examination!

Address

420 W Highway 20
Valentine, NE
69201

Opening Hours

Monday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Thursday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Friday	7:45am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14023761500

Website

http://www.butlerveterinaryclinic.com/

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