Dubuque County Veterinary Services

Dubuque County Veterinary Services DCVS is a veterinary facility in Peosta, IA that offers affordable primary care for your dog or cat.
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Bob and Joe know exactly the best way to spend a day like today...snuggled up on the sofa with a soft blanket!! Who else...
06/17/2026

Bob and Joe know exactly the best way to spend a day like today...snuggled up on the sofa with a soft blanket!! Who else is very jealous????

Dear DCVS clients, Some of you have heard my little spiel on how much I hate retractor leashes before, but I thought I'd...
06/16/2026

Dear DCVS clients,
Some of you have heard my little spiel on how much I hate retractor leashes before, but I thought I'd put it out there for those who haven't. Don't get me wrong, retractor leashes have their uses, but they are few. The only time I recommend them is when you are in an open area (park, field, etc) and you are allowing your dog more free rein in a controlled setting. But here are some reasons why I, and every other vet, hate them for regular use.
1.) Less Control. They are bulky and difficult to use. The handle is big and awkward. People constantly drop them while trying to manage their purses, keys, kids, car seats, shopping bags, and the dog, and the dog takes off. Trying to manage the stop button or accidentally releasing it, and the dog takes off at high speeds and hits the end hard. Not only is the whole thing just cumbersome, but the mechanisms break regularly. The little rope easily frays and can snap and the recoiling mechanisms break and fail to retract the 12-20 feet of length.
2.) People get hurt. There have been lots of serious rope burns when the dog has too much length and wraps around people's ankles or hands. These burns have been very serious. Fingers have been amputated. People have been tripped and broken hips and wrists. People have been pulled off balance and hit their heads on concrete curbs and gutters, resulting in serious concussions. Pedestrians and bystanders have been bitten when the owner can't control the dog within 20 feet of length. They have also been wrapped up and tripped, resulting in lawsuits.

3.) Dogs also get injured. When the dogs get too much length, either intentionally or due to a malfunction, they can end up in the street and be hit by cars. They can run up to other dogs and get in fights. Dogs also commonly get rope burns when the rope tangles around their necks and legs. When they hit the end of the length hard, it can cause permanent neck injuries and trachea issues.

Ok, ok. Retractor leashes suck. What should you use?
A 4-6 foot nylon leash with a good quality snap. Having a set length helps teach the dog the leash's boundaries, particularly for puppies. The shorter length with a wrist loop helps you maintain control. The longer the leash, the more speed and momentum the dog can get before hitting the end of it, which pulls harder on the handler. The longer the leash, the more likely it is to wrap around your ankles. Remember to never wrap any length of the rope that isn't the wrist loop around your hand so it can cinch tight. Teaching your pet the "heel" command on a short, durable, controllable leash helps keep both you and your pet safer. If you do use a retractable leash in a park or open setting (safe from other people, pets, and traffic), use another command to help indicate that they are ok to leave your side. For my dog, I simply use the word "OK" and make a hand gesture toward the area.

Dear DCVS clients, After these recent crazy storms, there are lots of nests blown out of trees and, sadly, many decease...
06/14/2026

Dear DCVS clients,
After these recent crazy storms, there are lots of nests blown out of trees and, sadly, many deceased baby birds, eggs, and other critters on the ground in your yard. To your dog, the little chicken nugget that's been sitting in the sun decaying for 3 days is a delicacy. A delicacy that is loaded with nasty bacteria like Salmonella and Clostridium. These bacteria can cause some pretty significant vomiting and even bloody diarrhea. So take a moment today to wander your lawns and look for any little casualties from the storms and dispose of them so you can avoid waking up to the dreaded smell of salmonella diarrhea.

Dear DCVS clients, One of our active farm cat participants has had several cats wander in from local farms this year and...
06/11/2026

Dear DCVS clients,

One of our active farm cat participants has had several cats wander in from local farms this year and have kittens. She has actively worked at caring for those who have wandered in over the years, but the number is excessive this year. If you are looking for a kitten, she has several cuties available. The gray and ash litter is around 7 weeks and ready to go, and the smaller grays are available in a few weeks. Message if interested for an adoption application.

This handsome fella is K-9 Nitro. He is giving you this written warning to make sure your dog's Bravecto Flea and Tick p...
06/10/2026

This handsome fella is K-9 Nitro. He is giving you this written warning to make sure your dog's Bravecto Flea and Tick prevention is up-to-date so they dont get any nasty tickborne diseases like Lyme, Anaplasma, or Erhlichia!!!

Another thank you to everyone who has donated to our Jim Kelly Memorial Farm Cat Fund. Here's a few of the farm kitties ...
06/09/2026


Another thank you to everyone who has donated to our Jim Kelly Memorial Farm Cat Fund. Here's a few of the farm kitties that have benefited ( i forget to take photos of everyone lol)! So many unwanted kittens prevented. Thank you to a few of the donors who's funds were used most recently. Kim Brandt Ginger Heitman Sakas Barb Miller Stacey Weires Linda Mullin Sarah Blindert! Your donations matter!

Dear DCVS Clients, Please Share. You might save someone from an unexpected heartache this summer. I usually don't make ...
06/04/2026

Dear DCVS Clients,

Please Share. You might save someone from an unexpected heartache this summer.

I usually don't make this post til later in the summer, but with the very early heat and dry conditions we are already seeing water-related issues.

The first problem with warm, stagnant water is high bacterial counts. Run-off and f***s in stagnant water can contain bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter which can cause severe gastroenteritis. Stagnant water can also harbor leptospirosis, a dangerous bacteria spread by the urine of infected wildlife like rodents and raccoons. It thrives in warm, moist areas and can survive for weeks in standing puddles. Ingestion or contact with broken skin can cause kidney failure, liver damage, and is also transmissible to humans. Giardia and cryptosporidium are non-bacterial organisms that also thrive in warm, stagnant water that can also make your pet sick.

We can also see skin infections when dogs swim in water with high bacterial counts.
I've already been seeing lots of vomiting and bloody diarrhea related to gross water sources outdoors.

The most serious concern is blue-green algae in natural bodies of water in Iowa. This includes creeks, ponds, puddles, lakes, rivers, and even bowls and containers of water left outside. Blue-green algae, more appropriately called cyanobacteria, are a bacterium rather than an algae species. The bacteria produce two deadly toxins. One causes liver failure, and the other affects the body's nerves. Symptoms can occur as soon as 5 minutes (neurotoxin) and as late as a few days (liver toxin). No antidote for cyanobacteria toxicosis exists, so prevention is our best defense.
Symptoms of the neurotoxin include disorientation, seizures, excessive drooling, inability to walk, difficulty breathing, paralysis, and coma. Dogs affected with the neurotoxin develop fatal symptoms within minutes to hours, often passing away very quickly.
Symptoms of the liver toxin are more non-specific and include gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. As the liver becomes more affected, the skin and eyes turn yellow.
There is no easy test for cyanobacteria, and a diagnosis is often made from symptoms and a history of swimming in dirty water.

Dogs who ingest potentially contaminated water should be made to vomit as soon as possible. Fresh hydrogen peroxide dosed at 1ml per pound of body weight (capping at 25mls for larger dogs) should be given. This should be included in all hiking packs or car first aid kits. The dog can be treated supportively at the veterinarian with IV fluids and medications to help the liver, but the prognosis is often poor. PREVENTION IS THE KEY.
PLEASE do not take your dog swimming or allow them to drink from bodies of water with obvious algae-looking growth. Blue-green algae, despite its name, can also cause growth that looks red or brown. It can often resemble paint on the surface of the water. Blue-green algae blooms when water becomes stagnant and the temperature rises, so we tend to see it more in late summer, but this can be earlier in a drought year.
Buckets, Barrels, tarps, bird baths, and other items in the yard that can hold rainwater and sit stagnant can also be a source of issues.

https://programs.iowadnr.gov/aquia/beaches

06/03/2026

When those treats from the vet hit extra good.....

Photo Dump!! Tag your babies if you see them!
05/27/2026

Photo Dump!! Tag your babies if you see them!

Address

8554 Kapp Drive Suite B
Peosta, IA
52068

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 1pm
Thursday 1pm - 6:30pm
Sunday 11am - 1pm

Telephone

+18448383287

Website

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