Animal ER of the Western Slope

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Grand Junction, CO
Animal ER of the Western Slope

Locally owned & operated emergency veterinary care center with over 60 years combined experience.

06/09/2026

Blood donor dogs play an important role in our ER. These 4-legged heroes give a part of themselves to save other dogs & are a vital part of our hospital. There are rules & regulations to blood donation, one of those being age. Today, Bo donated his blood for the last time to our hospital & aged out of our program. He has given blood for over half his life & has saved (to name a few) a gun shot victim, 2 dogs with bleeding spleens & multiple dogs with blood disorders. His gentle soul & easy disposition have made him an excellent donor for our program & we wish him the best in his retirement…lots of couch cuddles, long hikes & swimming with his retrieving toys!

If you are interested in learning more about your dog possibly becoming a blood donor, look for our booth at the up coming Mesa County Fair! We’d love to talk to you about how your pup can help save lives!

Thank you for your service Bo 💜

06/04/2026

Same yard. Same temperature. Two very different dogs. 🥵

Watch the difference between my Belgian Malinois and French Bulldog after just a few minutes outside in the shade.

Not all dogs handle heat the same way. Brachycephalic breeds — French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers — have shortened airways that make it significantly harder for them to cool themselves down. What feels like a normal summer day for one dog can become a medical emergency for another.

But here’s the thing — ANY DOG CAN GET HEAT STROKE.

Signs of heat stroke to watch for:
🔴 Panting that’s heavy, loud, or won’t slow down
🔴 Excessive drooling
🔴 Bright red or purple gums
🔴 Seeking shade and refusing to move or walk
🔴 Wobbling, stumbling, or collapse
🔴 Vomiting or diarrhea

If your dog is overheating, act immediately:
💧 Pour cool water over their entire body
💨 Get the car AC blowing directly on their face
🚫 Do NOT wrap them in wet towels — towels trap heat against the body and make it worse
🚗 Get to a vet immediately — even if they seem to improve, heat stroke can cause organ damage that isn’t visible from the outside

Quick tips for summer:
☀️ Walk short-nosed breeds in the early morning or after sunset
☀️ Keep outdoor time short on hot days — shorter than you think
☀️ Always have fresh water and shade available
☀️ If the pavement is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their paws
☀️ Never leave any dog in a parked car — not even for a minute, not even if the windows are cracked
☀️ If your dog stops walking, seeks shade, or lies down and won’t get up — listen to them. That’s not laziness. That’s your dog telling you they’re done.

Summer on the Western Slope is beautiful. But heat stroke kills dogs every year — and it happens faster than most people realize. Know the signs. Act fast.

We’re here 24/7. 🏥 970-525-0911

06/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who nominated us!! What an amazing community we are blessed to serve. Please vote for us in The Best of the West!!

06/01/2026

Meet Dr. Vanessa Haderlie — the newest doctor to join our team! 👋🐾

Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Dr. Haderlie earned her bachelor's in psychology from George Mason University before heading to vet school at Ross University and completing her clinical year at The Ohio State University.

After moving to the Western Slope, she spent three years as a traveling relief veterinarian — working emergency, specialty, general practice, and shelter medicine across multiple states.

Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery, toxicity cases, and exotic animal medicine — so yes, she's your small mammal person too. 🐰

When she's not at the ER, Dr. Haderlie is probably at the gym. And we mean that literally — she and her husband own a strongman gym in Denver. She also loves snowboarding, paddleboarding, traveling, and spending time with her husband and kids.

We're thrilled to have her on the team. Welcome, Dr. Haderlie!

05/29/2026

Meet Zeus 🐾
Zeus came in with a swollen, goopy eye that had been bothering him for a few days. During his initial exam, the claws came out and we figured sedation was in his future.

Plot twist: all Zeus needed was three incredibly patient techs, some fear-free handling, an unlimited treat budget, and — apparently — a mini rave. 🪩 (Swipe for the glow-up.)

Once we got his full eye exam done — tear test, pressure check, and fluorescein stain — we found the culprit: a corneal ulcer, which is a scratch on the surface of the eye. Painful? Yes. Treatable? Absolutely.

Zeus went home the same day with antibiotic eye drops and is expected to make a full recovery in less than a week.

No sedation needed. Just patience, treats, and good vibes. ✌️
If your pet's eye is swollen, squinting, or producing discharge — don't wait. Eye issues can go from minor to serious quickly.
We're here 24/7. 🏥 970-525-0911

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor those who gave everything. 🇺🇸
To the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom — we remember you. And we remember the military working dogs who served alongside them.

Our doors are open all day and night. If your pet needs emergency care this holiday weekend, we're here.
Have a safe Memorial Day, Grand Valley.

🏥 Animal ER of the Western Slope
📍 1660 North Ave, Grand Junction
📞 970-525-0911 · Open 24/7

05/21/2026

🚨 UPDATE: She is reunited with her family! Thanks for all the shares!!!🚨

This sweet girl was found in Glade Park. She does not have a microchip or collar. Please share and let’s find her family.

We’re gonna take care of her in the meantime. If you believe this is your pet, please call us at 970-525-0911. Proof of ownership is required.

05/20/2026

🚨 Happy Vet Tech Assistant Week!! 🚨

Our veterinary assistants are the ones holding your 90-pound dog steady for an IV, comforting the scared cats, warming up hypothermic kittens at 2 AM, prepping for surgery, and keeping the entire treatment area running. They are the unsung heroes of our hospital! Thank you to our incredible team of TAs. ❤️

05/18/2026

This week we celebrate our Veterinary Technician Assistants. We appreciate everything they do for the hospital & their patients.

05/16/2026

🎉 Another foxtail rescue! 🎉

This guy’s family rushed him in after he started sneezing nonstop. Our team sedated him, found the culprit hiding deep in his nose, and pulled it out. He went home the same day like nothing happened. 💪

The secret? His family acted fast. The sooner we get foxtails out, the better the outcome.

If your dog starts sneezing out of nowhere after being outside — that’s your sign. Bring them in.
We’re here 24/7.

🏥 Animal ER of the Western Slope
📍 1660 North Ave, Grand Junction
📞 970-525-0911

Address

1660 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO
81501

Telephone

+19705250911

Website

https://animalerwesternslope.com/

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