Rural veterinary work has no shortage of “you’ve got to be kidding me” moments. This page features real cases that Dr. Dennison and Dr. Perkins have seen in the field — some funny, some unusual, and some with a lesson. We’ll keep adding more as time (and critters) allows.
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Eye See an Emergency
Dr. Perkins
Dr. Perkins
Eyes Are Always an Emergency…
This lovely Quarter Horse mare was working cows on the mountain when she got whacked in the eye with a stick. Her owners knew right away something was wrong when her eye was clamped shut and all the tissues started swelling quite quickly. Now, I love horses, and I love eyes. Few things make me afraid to investigate further and back away slowly… in fact, this was the first case I’ve seen that made me do so. Usually, when horses (or anyone) get whacked in the eye with something, it might scratch the cornea, which can easily become infected and cause an ulcer. While corneal injuries and infections are very serious and can get really bad, really quickly, we have tried-and-true protocols that usually heal them within a week. When I walked up to this mare, I knew I needed help. This mare’s eye had prolapsed the iris. The iris, the colored part of the eye responsible for regulating how much light comes through, was now on the outside of the eye. What???? We worked quickly to locate an equine ophthalmologist who could help us. The closest one was a five-hour drive away. Hook up the trailer, and off to the specialist for emergency eye surgery. Despite everyone doing everything “right,” the eye ultimately could not be saved, and we ended up removing it about a week later here at home. Obviously, the outcome was less than ideal, but there are a couple of great lessons this story brings to light:
This lovely Quarter Horse mare was working cows on the mountain when she got whacked in the eye with a stick. Her owners knew right away something was wrong when her eye was clamped shut and all the tissues started swelling quite quickly. Now, I love horses, and I love eyes. Few things make me afraid to investigate further and back away slowly… in fact, this was the first case I’ve seen that made me do so. Usually, when horses (or anyone) get whacked in the eye with something, it might scratch the cornea, which can easily become infected and cause an ulcer. While corneal injuries and infections are very serious and can get really bad, really quickly, we have tried-and-true protocols that usually heal them within a week. When I walked up to this mare, I knew I needed help. This mare’s eye had prolapsed the iris. The iris, the colored part of the eye responsible for regulating how much light comes through, was now on the outside of the eye. What???? We worked quickly to locate an equine ophthalmologist who could help us. The closest one was a five-hour drive away. Hook up the trailer, and off to the specialist for emergency eye surgery. Despite everyone doing everything “right,” the eye ultimately could not be saved, and we ended up removing it about a week later here at home. Obviously, the outcome was less than ideal, but there are a couple of great lessons this story brings to light:
- You can do everything “right” and still not get the outcome you desire.
- Just because it isn’t the outcome you desire doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be okay.
- Everyone experiences seeing something for the first time, and everyone needs to ask for expert help sometimes.
- Eyes are always an emergency.
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Wooden Tongue
Dr. Perkins Talk about a mouthful! This big beautiful bull was evaluated in the field for his tongue hanging out of his mouth. While not a common problem at the herd level, it became clear pretty quickly what was going on with the poor guy: Wooden Tongue. Yep, that’s a real diagnosis. Same concept as Lumpy Jaw! Wooden Tongue, also called actinobacillosis, is a bacterial infection of the tongue caused by a penetrating foreign body (like wire, sticks, thistles…) that introduces the bacteria into the tongue and causes multiple, hard, painful abscesses. Usually, the foreign body isn’t actually still in there. (Think of a piece of tortilla chip that stabs you in the gum.) This is a better analogy for Lumpy Jaw, also called actinomycosis, in which a similar bacteria has infected the jaw bone…ouch. Thankfully, these painful, troublesome conditions are treatable when caught pretty quickly. By dosing sodium iodide into the vein of the affected animal, potentially multiple times several days apart, we can expect rather rapid resolution of the infections. Some cases require additional antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, depending on the severity of disease and your veterinarian's discretion. In just a week, this bull was feeling in tip top shape, ready for summer turnout and to do his job. He was less than happy to hear that I was coming back to see him though, so a distance examination had to suffice for him. Be fruitful and multiply, big guy!
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Wild Steps
Dr. Dennison
Dr. Dennison
Out on the range, a horse will usually take care of its own feet—if the country is right. Rocks, hard ground, and rough terrain will naturally chip and wear down hooves to keep them tough, balanced, and relatively uniform. But turn a horse out on soft soil, and it’s a different story. The hoof keeps growing, but nothing’s there to wear it back, and over time they can get long, overgrown, and out of shape. Dr. Dennison has seen plenty of that over the years, especially in free-roaming equines like donkeys and mustangs who live on soft ground. Getting hands on them is never simple—more often than not, it takes a full crew and a bit of a rodeo to safely catch, settle, and work on them. When hooves become badly overgrown, a horse may develop lameness or a noticeable gimp in its gait, and the hooves must be trimmed back gradually over several visits. Taking off too much at once can leave a horse sore, strain joints and tendons, and bruise sensitive tissues. Slow, careful trimming gives the horse time to adjust to a healthier hoof shape and a more natural way of moving.
Such is the case with this beautiful young paint mare. She was born and raised on a nice property with plenty of love and company—both horse and human—but she’s got a rank streak that makes her a handful to handle. From what we gathered, it was a combination of the owner’s age and health limitations, along with the mare’s strong nature, that allowed her hooves to grow well beyond what they should have. Luckily, a good group of family and friends, including folks from Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, stepped in to make sure she got the help she needed. To work safely, Dr. Dennison had to use a tranquilizer dart to sedate her, allow time for the medication to take effect, and then fully anesthetize her before they could proceed. It took a full crew to keep her steady while the farrier completed the first trim. She’s still got a couple more visits ahead of her before everything is brought back into proper balance, but she’s in good hands. She has plenty of people looking out for her well-being, her feet, and her temperament.. With a little time, she’ll be moving comfortably again, and she may even stand quietly for a proper farrier visit, or at least offer up a few friendly nose rubs through the fence.
Such is the case with this beautiful young paint mare. She was born and raised on a nice property with plenty of love and company—both horse and human—but she’s got a rank streak that makes her a handful to handle. From what we gathered, it was a combination of the owner’s age and health limitations, along with the mare’s strong nature, that allowed her hooves to grow well beyond what they should have. Luckily, a good group of family and friends, including folks from Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, stepped in to make sure she got the help she needed. To work safely, Dr. Dennison had to use a tranquilizer dart to sedate her, allow time for the medication to take effect, and then fully anesthetize her before they could proceed. It took a full crew to keep her steady while the farrier completed the first trim. She’s still got a couple more visits ahead of her before everything is brought back into proper balance, but she’s in good hands. She has plenty of people looking out for her well-being, her feet, and her temperament.. With a little time, she’ll be moving comfortably again, and she may even stand quietly for a proper farrier visit, or at least offer up a few friendly nose rubs through the fence.
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Hair Tie Snack
Dr. Dennison Watch the video to see Dr. Dennison remove a lodged hair tie from a cat’s intestine.
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are what we call it when your dog or cat decides to sample something that most definitely was not on the menu—think socks, toys, bones, corn cobs, string, and hair ties. Every once in a while, a small object will pass on through, but more often than we’d like, that swallowed treasure gets stuck in the stomach or intestines and causes a blockage. Pets with a blockage often start vomiting, quit eating, act tired, or seem painful through the belly. String and ribbon are especially dangerous for cats. They may look like harmless fun, but once swallowed, they can cause the intestines to bunch up, which can lead to infection and other life-threatening problems. To figure out what’s going on, we’ll start with a good physical exam and usually take X-rays or perform an ultrasound. Some objects can be retrieved without surgery, but many blockages require surgery to clear things out. If you think your pet swallowed something they shouldn’t have, don’t wait and hope for the best. Give us a call right away. The sooner we step in, the better the outcome! |
Cancer Sucks
Dr. Dennison This is one of my favorite patients — truly the coolest Bulldog ever. He came in with a nasty sore on his foot. No other lesions were found, so we made the decision to amputate. He healed great and bounced right back. About a month later, another sore appeared on the opposite leg. Still no other visible lesions, and we figured it might be a pressure sore (he’s an older guy, after all). We cleaned it up surgically, and he began to heal again. Then another sore appeared — this time in his mouth. That’s when it all clicked: cutaneous lymphoma. This type of cancer can show up as ulcers, nodules, plaques, red patches, or scaly, hairless areas. Over time, the skin can become thickened, raw, and oozing. Common sites include the lips, eyelids, nose, rectum, and genitals — where skin meets mucous membrane. Once it shows up in the mouth and tongue, that’s pretty much diagnostic. He’s now on chemo to slow the spread, plus antibiotics and pain meds to keep him comfortable. Despite it all, he’s happy, active, and doing fantastic — thanks to a top-notch owner who’s fully committed to his care. We can’t cure this, but we can manage it — and we’re monitoring him weekly to keep him feeling good as long as possible. Cancer sucks, but quality of life matters most.
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Bone to Pick
Dr. Dennison Dogs are, by design, mostly carnivores. They’re built to eat rabbits, rodents, roadkill, grass, bones, kibble, and anything that hits the floor. They’ll also chew on toys, batteries, sticks, upholstery, or—if left bored and locked in—the whole dang house. But this case? One of the strangest, most “natural” episodes of How Does That Even Happen? This pup was chewing on steak bones after a cookout when one slipped perfectly around his lower jaw. It lodged behind the canines and locked in place, leaving him confused, uncomfortable, and understandably panicked. His owner was equally alarmed. They brought him in, and with a bit of restraint (and a good dose of twisting and tugging), we got it loose. He went home that day, no worse for wear — just a little wiser about post-BBQ snacks.
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Elvis Sneer
Dr. Dennison This little French bull dog came in with a cleft palate, deviated septum, and a permanent Elvis sneer — all lip curl, no rock 'n roll. These two issues made eating and breathing a real challenge. Both conditions required careful repair under general anesthesia. Thanks to attentive follow-up care, this pup has made a full recovery and is thriving — happy and healthy two years later!
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Cheat Grass and Foxtails
Dr. Dennison Cheatgrass and foxtails may look harmless, but these common grass seeds can cause serious trouble for pets — especially in the summer and fall. Their sharp, barbed tips are designed to burrow, and once they get into your pet’s fur, they can work their way into ears, eyes, mouths, noses, and even under the skin between the toes. Over the years, I’ve removed these stubborn seeds from ears, paws, tonsils, and deep inside swollen feet. They don’t just irritate — they can cause infections, abscesses, and even require surgery to remove if they travel too far.
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Ruminate Fistula
Dr. Dennison A ruminate fistula is a small, surgically made hole into the rumen—the first stomach—of a cow. This handy opening lets us pull out some of her cud, or rumen contents, which we use to help other cows and critters get their gut bugs back on track. A healthy rumen full of the right microbes is what keeps cows digesting right and feeling good. But when a cow’s gut gets out of whack—maybe from sickness, antibiotics, or a sudden change in feed—her natural bacteria can take a hit. That’s when our fistula cow steps in. By sharing her fresh rumen juice with the sick ones, we’re basically giving their stomachs a fresh start. It’s a tried-and-true way to get them back to chewing cud and grazing strong again. If you've got a cow whose gut isn’t right, give us a holler. We’re happy to share her “juices” and help get things flowing smooth again.
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Bone-Appetit
Dr. Dennison Cows crave salt — it’s essential for nerve and muscle function, water balance, and overall health. If they’re not getting enough in their feed, they’ll actively seek it out. In the wild, cattle find salt and minerals in natural deposits like limestone, grass, and mineral-rich soil. On pasture, we provide salt blocks (also called licks) to ensure proper intake. But if salt isn’t available, they’ll lick almost anything: rocks, dirt, bark — even old bones. Over the years, I’ve seen all sorts of foreign objects in cattle mouths: sticks, rocks, tennis balls, beer cans… but this case is unique. One cow on a grazing allotment was losing weight. During a routine check, the owner noticed she was drooling and holding her mouth open. Suspecting an abscess, they brought her in. What we found was a surprise — a foreign object lodged in the back of her mouth, keeping it stuck open. She could breathe and drink, but couldn’t eat. We removed it: a complete vertebra from a long-dead cow. It had wedged perfectly, blocking her ability to chew. The cow recovered fully, and this story reminds us to check your cows often and always provide adequate salt and minerals — or they’ll find their own… even if it’s bones from the pasture graveyard.
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