Tri-County Veterinary Services

Tri-County Veterinary Services Tri-County Veterinary Services was established Jan. 1, 1989 by James M. Henderson, DVM.

Tri-County Veterinary Services is an ambulatory large animal veterinary practice that is now closed due to Dr. Henderson's retirement as of September 1st, 2021.

06/02/2022

Doc here. Just a reminder, the phone number for Tri-County Vet is now disconnected. Future records requests should be directed here to the FB page. I'd appreciate any forwarding of this on your pages to get the word out. Thanks.

04/25/2022

Hello, everyone. Doc Henderson here. This post is a bit of housekeeping, so to speak, for Tri-County Veterinary Services. As most of you may know, I have maintained the practice phone number and answering machine over the past 7 months or so for my large animal clients to obtain their animals' records if desired. It was also a way for the folks in the area who attended the various Rabies vaccination clinics I ran in several local communities to obtain Rabies vaccination status verification if their records were misplaced or if there was a concern about an animal's status in case of a bite of a person or another pet or if their pet was exposed to a potentially rabid animal. This is to inform the public that, as of June 1st, 2022, that phone line will be disconnected. Large animal records requests and small animal Rabies vaccination status verification requests will be honored and should be directed here to the practice page. Since I don't check the answering machine as frequently as I did in the past, Facebook is probably the most efficient way for those requests to be taken care of anyway. Thanks for putting up with another of my patented long-winded posts and thanks for the support through the years. If I could impose-any who feel so inclined, could you please share this on your pages as well? Much appreciated. Catch ya down the road. Doc.

04/10/2022

Just a quick update from your wayward retired veterinarian. Traveled to Arkansas the first part of February to visit a classmate from Vet School that helped facilitate the sale of my Bowie unit to a young vet in their area that does equine work. Got iced in there for a couple extra days, but enjoyed staying there a bit longer than planned (a poor excuse is better than none). Yes, since you asked, my truck does look "nekkid". The next jaunt was a Florida trip with my wife's Mom and sister down to the Keys. Went on Amtrak's Auto train. Much less wear and tear on a certain old guy-I recommend it. Nowadays we're waiting on some repairs on the camping trailer we recently obtained so we can get campin'! Not new, nothing fancy, but nice. We discovered the hard way last summer that tent camping, although we still loved it, was going to kill us both. So, if camping was to be done, a trailer would be involved. That's about all for now. Still figgerin' the retirement thang out, but loving it. I do miss the practice, a lot of the folks (you know who you are) and a lot of the critters-just not enough to throw the coveralls back on. Catch ya down the road. Doc.

12/28/2021

I've tried to reach everyone I called in prescriptions for at 2 or 3 suppliers since I was unaware that the refills are expiring Dec 31st as that's when my license expires. I presumed they would be good for a year but that's not what WV allows. So, I'm relying on Facebook to help if I missed anybody. If I authorized refills for you at Valley Vet Supply, PBS or Wickliffe Pharmacy, you can contact them and stock up before the end of the year. My apologies for any inconvenience, but that's on me. Hope all had a good Christmas and that you have a better New Year.

12/21/2021

Greetings, all. This post will serve two purposes. One is an update on your wayward, retired, brokedown old horse doctor. As I like to say, my wife and I are getting this retirement thing figured out. We've been busy around the house and babysitting as needed and did a big trip for my 40 year Vet School reunion just before Thanksgiving. Of course, we had to come back via the Gulf coast (testing the water and sand quality as we went) and caught up with kids and grandkids at Mickey's house and visited some family there as well. Doing well overall and noting the benefits of the lower stress level I have now (never realized it was an issue before, but there you are). Secondly, I was made aware just the other day that the prescription refills that I had made for clients ( thinking they could be refilled for a year) are only good till December 31st when my license expires. Most folks have used Valley Vet Supply or PBS. Those refills for prescription medications for animals I have seen in the last year are still good but only till December 31st. So...if I've authorized meds for you, you can get them, just order extra. There's no restrictions on amounts (within reason-I don't think you can order 100 bottles of bute, for example). So if you're needing something I've not already authorized, call me the land line and leave a message and we'll sort it out. Just watch the calendar-I can't help you in January. Well...that was a bit long winded! Anyway, hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year. Be well and maybe I'll catch ya down the road.

10/05/2021

Update on the old retired vet -I'm a little over 30 days into this retirement thang and I think I'm getting it figured out. It wasn't till just the other day that I realized the stress I was under. I discovered out of the blue that I was markedly more content overall. I kept telling my wife how often I was in a "disgustingly good mood" and that's what it was. It did take me a while to quit fretting over not checking the answering machine, but I'm somehow managing that pretty well. Thanks to all for the well wishes. I do find I still miss it, along with the people and, as I expected, some of the critters. Just a reminder, though, anyone needing refills on prescription meds for their animals, be sure to call and leave a message and I'll help sort that out. Remember, my license expires 12/31 and I won't be able to help with that afterwards. Y'all be well and stay safe out there. Doc.

09/01/2021

Well...here we go! The official retirement day is here. Like I said before, I know I'm going miss the work, some of the animals and most of the people. When you've done something for over 40 years, you don't just leave it. Especially additionally factoring in the 7 years plus of college/ Vet school as well as this was what I wanted to do from the age of 10, it's a part of me that will always be me even though I won't be practicing. I've looked at it this way-being a veterinarian isn't what I do, being a veterinarian is what I AM. That's what makes today a bit melancholy and bittersweet. I'm fairly sure I'll adapt and, I've been assured by Management that she'll make sure I don't get bored (some cryptic remark about a "list"?). As the answering machine says, the phone line will be kept live for a long time for folks needing records for their animals, Rabies vaccination records information and prescription medication refill requests. I direct you there for details. Once again, I thank all my clients, both new and longstanding for keeping things interesting, keeping food on my table and allowing this little farm boy to achieve his dreams. The biggest thanks, of course, go to my bookkeeper, brain trust and biggest cheerleader (as well as sometime drill sergeant), my wife Rose Marie Henderson. Couldn't have done it without you as well as the tolerance of my girls Jennifer Staley, Audra Melton and Angela Henderson. (Can you imagination what they had to put up with growing up?!?) Anyway, catch you down the road. Be safe, all. (No, those aren't tears in my eyes...allergies. yeah, allergies). See ya.

07/14/2021

Well...the time that everyone has been worrying about for several years has finally arrived. I am retiring effective September 1st. While I had jokingly said for a long time that I wasn't ready to retire because I wasn't ready to work that hard (you know how freshly retired guys complain about being so busy and working harder than ever), I would also seriously say it would take getting hurt or a body part failing that surgery couldn't fix to make me quit. I haven't got hurt seriously lately, but the body part that has failed me is...my body. The back and legs are worse and I just can't rebound like I could even a few months ago. It came upon me after a particularly busy spring weekend the end of April coupled with the recommendation from my neurologist that I see my neurosurgen to discuss my back stuff with him. At that point I hadn't recuperated much 3 days later, and, when I updated my wife about those details, she said "We need to retire". For a split-second, I was about to automatically deny her recommendation but then I said you're right. As usual, I confounded her-she had a whole list of arguments pro retirement that she didn't get to use (I think she was a bit disappointed). We are both retiring the same day. At this point, I have no idea if I can sell the practice to anyone, nor any idea who can fill the gap. I thought I had a handful of years to get in touch with the Veterinary schools and get some connections made and maybe find some young, eager, go getter of a young grad to take over or maybe some vet looking for a change. Unfortunately, fewer farm kids are in vet school and these new generation veterinarians don't realize that, for over 40 years, I have had the best job in veterinary medicine and they're missing out. The business phone will remain active for a good while for records requests and medication refills through the end of the year, likely through catalog sources. So, that's it. I don't do this in a cavalier fashion-it has caused a bit of deep reflection, but I need to do this for physical and personal reasons. Many thanks to all my clients both new and longstanding. You all have made the ride interesting if not downright exciting at times. It's time I roll out of the saddle, though. I will say, it's been a real good ride!

01/01/2021

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year so far. I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but my year has been a bit odd. Recovered from the neck surgery in June, still a few issues but better. I have regained a good bit of stamina that sitting for 10 weeks took away. Calvings are still problematic due to some residual numbness and muscle weakness in my delivery "radar" hand. I do have to watch what rodeo work I jump into since I still am not quite as nimble as before surgery. But, I'm still alive, haven't gone over a cliff or been stomped into a greasy spot, so there's that. Main reason for the post today is, 32 years ago today, I went solo and established Tri-County Vet services. It's been a good idea and probably saved my sanity as well helped to keep marriage intact and allow my girls to have a Daddy and not an ogre. I primarily have my wife, Rose Marie, to thank for the success of the practice. As I've told a lot of you over the years, she's been the brains of the outfit; I supplied the brawn. Also, of course, my loyal clients both current and past obviously had a LOT to do with that success. Many thanks to you all, many of whom have become close friends and some are darn close to family. Here's to many more-no, I'm not retiring soon; any rumors to the contrary, remember, check the Book of Face, or, even better, call the office. The answering machine will not lead you astray. As I told a client today, doing this for this long either means I like what I'm doing or I'm crazy(no comments from the cheap seats!) Y'all be safe and well and I'll see ya down the road. Doc

06/25/2020

Well...it's only been a little over 6 months, so I guess I should have another neck surgery! Towards the end of March I started having more hand pain, more numbness and weakness but also leg weakness and numbness. A fresh MRI showed cord compression in a few spots that requires not only decompression but fusion. Looking at 2 days in hospital and off work for 6 weeks-yay. Hopefully, I'll get Stairway to Heaven back on the guitar (again) and be able to feel my little granddaughter's head with all my fingers when I rub her cute little head (again). While I'm down, two colleagues, Dr. Bob Stenger and Dr. Bob Havern, will be tag-teaming my emergency calls. If needed, call the business land line for details and contact info for these fine gentlemen. I hope to be back answering the phone by the end of the weekend or first of next for routine issues and questions. As before, thoughts and prayers and good vibes appreciated.

03/23/2020

It's been a while since I've posted anything- the veterinary world, at least my corner of it, is quiet; my recovery from the neck surgery in December is progressing well. So, there's not been much to spout off about. There is one little bright spot that I've noted in these days of social distancing and international fears and panic with no bearing on large animal veterinary medicine that I'd like to point out. In my life on the road, I think I've seen more school buses on the road now than ever. As you likely know, these fine folks behind the wheels of the big yellow boxes are delivering meals to students who need them now more than ever with schools shut down. My request is to flip your lights and give a thumbs up when they pass by. I started doing that today and I think I confused a few people, but it's a simple way to acknowledge their efforts that costs nothing but the 10 seconds it takes for your window to go down and deliver the universal sign of approval. This would be a good "tsunami" to start. I feel no need to comment on the virus itself, testing, treatment or lock downs. That's above my pay grade. I will say we veterinarians have a bit of a leg up on epidemics because we deal with reducing contagion and spread of disease on almost a daily basis. Soldier on and be safe out there and thank those bus drivers-they're exposing themselves above and beyond as well as they do their part in all this (whatever "this" turns out to be).

12/06/2019

Thanks for the good vibes everybody. Surgery went well, some positive change noted already . Pretty darned sore, though-almost every move you make uses those muscles. This has the makings of a good "tough story" my Dad would have been proud of. Gonna stay overnight, home tomorrow. More updates later.

Address

47 Mount Zion Road
Fairmont, WV
26554

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

(304) 366-6926

Website

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