Choosing a Veterinarian for Every Animal

A sick calf before daylight, a dog that stops eating on a Sunday afternoon, or a horse with a fresh cut all create the same immediate question: who can help? Choosing the right veterinarian is about more than finding the closest clinic. It is about finding a veterinary team that understands your animals, your lifestyle, and the realities of living in rural Western Colorado.

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​Look for the Right Experience
Start by considering whether the practice has experience with the animals you own. A mixed-animal practice can be especially valuable for families and ranches caring for dogs, cats, horses, cattle, or other livestock. For companion animals, look for a provider who offers routine wellness care, vaccinations, parasite prevention, diagnostics, dental care, and treatment for illness and chronic conditions. More importantly, your veterinarian should take the time to understand your animal and how they live rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. For horses and livestock, experience matters just as much. Herd health, reproduction, lameness, wounds, newborn care, and preventive medicine require an understanding of how animals actually live and work. The right veterinarian considers your facilities, season, operation, and goals when making recommendations.

Consider Where Care Happens
The right provider should offer care in a setting that makes sense for your animals. Some conditions are best handled at a clinic, where veterinarians have access to equipment, diagnostics, medications, and additional staff. Other situations are better suited to a farm or ranch visit. Moving a sick cow, injured horse, or mare close to foaling can create unnecessary stress and risk. If you are looking for a veterinarian along the I-70 corridor or in the Plateau Valley—including Collbran, Mesa, Molina, De Beque, Parachute, Rifle, Silt, or New Castle—ask where the practice provides farm-call services and how far they travel. It is also worth asking how urgent concerns are handled and what to do when a problem comes up outside regular hours.

Pay Attention to Communication
Good veterinary care is built on trust. Your veterinarian should explain what they recommend, why it is needed, what your options are, and what you can expect next. Cost is part of that conversation, too. Ask for an estimate when possible and make sure you understand which steps are most important. Straightforward communication about costs and treatment options helps you make informed decisions without surprises. And don't be afraid to ask questions. The right veterinary team will take the time to answer them.

Build the Relationship Before an Emergency
The best time to choose a veterinarian is before you need one urgently. A routine visit gives you an opportunity to meet the team, see how they work, and establish a medical history for your animal. For livestock and horse owners, seasonal planning can also help prevent problems and make care more predictable.

At Plateau Valley Animal Hospital, we believe good veterinary care starts with knowing our patients, knowing our clients, and understanding the community we serve. We care for companion animals, horses, livestock, and unique species from our Collbran and Rifle clinics, with farm-call services throughout much of Western Colorado. We live and work in this community, too. We know that your animals are part of your family, your livelihood, and your everyday life—and we're here to help care for them. We hope Plateau Valley Animal Hospital is the right fit for you and your animals. If it is, give us a call. We'd be happy to get to know you.