Nomad Veterinary Services

05/28/2026

Got to put em to work early!

Whenever I get home Violet insists on coming and "helping clean." For awhile it was throwing sharpies and clothes in the garbage while going through 8 pairs of gloves (since if they got dirty at all she obviously had to throw them out). Now she wants to help wash things and sort through gear. We're making progress.

I'll be getting her mixing vaccines and holding fetotomy wire any day!

05/09/2026

Hi everyone,

Got rolled by a bull this morning and might have a cracked rib. So going to turn the call phone off for tonight and maybe tomorrow to take it easy with some ice. If you have something that doesn't require heavy lifting (eg. a scour calf) dial 2 and you will still get through. Calvings, foalings, or anything that requires wrangling are likely a no go for 24 hours.

Colin

05/06/2026

We had a breech that didn't quite make it, but the owners wanted to discuss how to get them out the back end. I will often go through these types of lessons with clients, but this was the first time someone took a video.

If you are unsure on how to get full backwards calves out this is a great starting point. If you are still struggling definitely give us a call so we can assist! The quicker we get the call the better the chances for the calf.

You can reach us at 403-588-0220 and hit 1 for calving related emergencies.

04/22/2026

This calf was huge! The picture with a boot doesn't do it justice. Probably the biggest calf I've seen with a C section. The owners don't have a scale, but I'd estimate at least 160 pounds, but likely more.

Calving season is definitely in full swing! Thank everyone for their patience as we reorganize appointments.

04/09/2026

This was a C section calf off of a very, very angry heifer. I was trying to teach Violet how to bottle feed, but she wisely refused to get anywhere close to the mother. So the rancher got a free bottle feeding that was supposed to be parenting 😆

04/03/2026

03/27/2026

Check out this video that Dr. Colin participated in! The Beef Cattle Research Council puts out some great resources for producers, and this is a great example. Lots of useful information here for anyone in the cattle industry.

03/26/2026

This little guy doesn't have the nicest mom in the pen. She was heads up and trampled the poor fellow. A quick sedation, cast, and some pain killer and he should be good to go! When caught early and the bone doesn't pe*****te the skin we have excellent success when casting. This producer caught the case immediately and threw a splint on, so I have great hopes for complete bone fusion.

Break, scours, or sick give us a call if your calves are off this Spring.

03/12/2026

Some exciting news to share—Dr. Colin recently received a veterinary award! If you know him, you know he’s not one to brag about himself and tends to downplay his accomplishments, but we’re incredibly proud of this one.

ABVMA Early Career Veterinarian Award. Honouring an early career veterinarian whose passion and leadership are shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

Congratulations to Dr. Colin Nicholas, a dedicated father, husband and owner of two goofy dogs. Born and raised close to downtown Calgary, he now lives in Delburne, AB, a small town of 1,000, east of Red Deer.

He earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology in 2014 and graduated from the University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. After graduating, he worked primarily as a cow/calf clinician for six years. In 2024, he expanded his horizons and locumed as a mixed animal clinician before starting his own practice, Nomad Veterinary Services, in the fall of 2024. Now, he drives all over the countryside serving central Alberta.

Colin has involved himself with county meetings and discussions with local representatives to find innovative solutions to the rural veterinary shortage. His motto in life is that “if there’s a problem, there’s a solution,” and he uses this to drive both his clinical reasoning and his thoughts on the veterinary industry.

03/12/2026

Sometimes kids just know they want glamour I guess.

We got Violet's first cowboy boots second hand and the requirement was they fit. Since she's growing out of them Brie went and got her a new pair. She offered bland, kind of shiny, and these gaudy things. For the last week we've had Violet stomping around the house wearing her new favourite boots 😆

Next thing we know she'll be asking for a horse and a ranch to practice barrel patterns on...