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Monday 7:45am - 5:30pm Tuesday 7:45am - 5:30pm Wednesday 7:45am - 5:30pm Thursday 7:45am - 5:30pm Friday 7:45am - 5:30pm

Butler Veterinary Clinic

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Valentine, NE
Butler Veterinary Clinic

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Butler Veterinary Clinic is a family owned and operated veterinary hospital since 1960. We offer 24/7, top-of-the-line emergency and animal care.

The quality and care your animals receive here at Butler Veterinary Clinic is unrivaled in the area. We have a long, respected history in serving the Sandhills and surrounding areas since 1960 with exceptional veterinary care for both your large and small animals. We were the first clinic in the area to bring in-house diagnostic blood work, digital x-ray, ultrasound, and laser therapy and surgery into our daily practice. We have made this clinic our family’s priority and we offer an experienced staff who understand your worries and strive for the best communication possible. Butler Veterinary Clinic is a full service hospital that offers everything from preventative care to sick patient and emergency care.

10/21/2026

💛🐶 Yellow Eyes? What You Need to Know About Liver Disease & Leptospirosis!

Have you ever noticed a yellow tint to the whites of your pet’s eyes, their gums, or the inside of their ears? This yellow discoloration is called jaundice (icterus), and it is a sign that something isn't right inside your pet's body.

🩺 What causes jaundice?
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced as red blood cells break down, builds up in the bloodstream and tissues. This can happen for several reasons:

💛 Liver disease: The liver may be unable to process bilirubin normally because of inflammation, infection, toxins, or other liver conditions.

🩸 Red blood cell destruction: Certain diseases or toxins can cause red blood cells to break down faster than the body can manage.

🚨 Bile duct obstruction: If bile cannot flow normally from the liver into the intestines, bilirubin can accumulate in the body.

One important cause of liver and kidney disease in dogs is LEPTOSPIROSIS.

🦠 What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can affect dogs, livestock, wildlife, and people. Dogs commonly become infected through contact with urine from infected animals or with contaminated water and soil. Standing water, wet environments, and areas frequented by wildlife and rodents can all pose a risk.

Once inside the body, the bacteria can damage the kidneys and liver. In severe cases, dogs may develop jaundice, kidney failure, vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or changes in urination. Some dogs become critically ill very quickly.

⚠️ Why should pet owners be concerned?
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to people. Infected pets may shed bacteria in their urine, creating a potential exposure risk for their families. If leptospirosis is suspected, careful hygiene and veterinary guidance are important.

💉 Can we prevent it?
Yes! Vaccination is available for dogs and is an important way to reduce the risk of leptospirosis. Your veterinarian can help determine the appropriate vaccination schedule based on your dog's lifestyle and exposure risk. Limiting contact with wildlife, rodents, and potentially contaminated standing water can also help.

🚨 When should you call your veterinarian?
Yellow eyes, gums, or skin are never normal. If you notice these signs, seek veterinary care promptly. If your dog is also vomiting, weak, refusing food, or experiencing changes in urination, treat it as urgent.

At BVC, we can perform diagnostic testing to investigate liver and kidney problems and help determine the appropriate treatment. Early recognition can make a significant difference in your pet's outcome!

❤️ Remember: Yellow eyes are a warning sign, not a diagnosis. Don't wait and see if they improve on their own.

10/19/2026

🐴🩺 Equine Education: Joint Flushing vs. Regional Limb Perfusion

Have you ever wondered what we’re looking at when we evaluate the fluid inside a horse’s joint? Take a look at this video! 👀

🩸 What should healthy joint fluid look like?

Normal joint fluid, also called synovial fluid, is typically clear to slightly yellow/straw color and has a thick, slippery consistency. This fluid helps lubricate the joint and allows the cartilage surfaces to move smoothly against one another.

When joint fluid becomes cloudy, thick or watery, discolored, bloody, or contains visible debris, it can indicate inflammation, injury, or infection. These changes help guide our diagnostic decisions, although fluid appearance alone cannot confirm or rule out infection. Additional testing may be needed to determine what’s happening inside the joint.

🚿 What is joint flushing?

Joint flushing, also called joint lavage, involves introducing sterile fluid directly into the joint and removing it to wash away bacteria, inflammatory debris, and other contaminants. It is especially important when a joint is suspected to be infected, such as after a wound penetrates the joint capsule. Prompt treatment is critical to protect the joint and preserve long-term soundness.

💉 What is a regional limb perfusion?

Regional limb perfusion is a different technique used to deliver high concentrations of antibiotics to a targeted area of the limb. A tourniquet temporarily restricts blood flow, and medication is administered into a vein or, in some cases, bone within the isolated region. This allows the medication to reach tissues, joints, and other structures in the targeted area at higher concentrations than may be achieved with routine systemic treatment alone.

So, what’s the difference? Joint flushing physically washes contaminants out of the joint itself, while regional limb perfusion delivers medication through the local blood supply to treat infection in the targeted area. In some cases, both procedures are used together because they serve different purposes.

Equine joint infections are serious and time-sensitive. If your horse has a wound near a joint, sudden severe lameness, or significant swelling around a joint, contact your veterinarian promptly. Even a small wound can lead to a serious joint infection!

At BVC, our goal is to identify problems early and provide the appropriate treatment to give your horse the best possible chance of recovery. 🐎❤️

10/15/2026

🐱❤️ Meet Kissa, Our Newest Blood Donor! ❤️🐱

We are excited to introduce Kissa, the newest member of our blood donor team here at BVC! . 🩸🐾

Did you know that cats have some very important differences from dogs when it comes to blood transfusions?

Unlike dogs, who can sometimes receive a first transfusion from an unmatched donor under specific circumstances, cats need much more careful blood compatibility testing. Cats naturally have antibodies against certain blood types, meaning an incompatible transfusion can cause a severe or even life-threatening reaction — even if it’s their first transfusion. That’s why blood typing and crossmatching are so important before a cat receives donated blood.

🩸 Kissa is blood type A! Type A is the most common feline blood type, accounting for approximately 95–99% of cats in the United States, although the percentage varies by breed and region. Type B and the rare type AB are also found in cats, so knowing a cat’s blood type is essential when matching donors with patients. Even when blood types match, crossmatching helps us check for other potential incompatibilities.

Why do we have a blood donor program?

Blood transfusions can be lifesaving for patients experiencing severe anemia, significant blood loss, certain toxin exposures, or other serious illnesses. Having a screened, ready-to-help donor like Kissa means we have an important resource available when a patient needs it most. ❤️

What makes a good feline blood donor?

While requirements vary between veterinary practices, ideal feline donors are generally:
🐾 Healthy adult cats with a calm, friendly temperament
🐾 Large enough to safely donate an appropriate volume of blood
🐾 Up to date on recommended vaccinations and parasite prevention
🐾 Screened for infectious diseases, including feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
🐾 Free from significant underlying medical conditions and typically not taking ongoing medications
🐾 Cats with no previous history of blood transfusions

Blood donation is carefully managed by the veterinary team, and sedation is often used to help cats remain comfortable and still during collection.

We are so proud of Kissa for being part of this important program! She may be a small member of our veterinary team, but her potential impact is huge. Help us give Kissa a big thank-you for helping us care for our feline patients! 🐈‍⬛💕

10/14/2026

🐾 “But My Pet Never Goes Outside!” - The Truth About Fleas 🐾

One of the most common misconceptions we hear is that indoor-only pets can't get fleas. Unfortunately, even pets that never set a paw outside can develop a flea infestation! In the past few weeks we have seen a huge increase in fleas on pets coming in - most are indoor only. Some patients have such severe infestations that they are anemic.

🦟 How do fleas get inside?
Fleas are regularly found in our environment, and they don't need your pet to go outside to find their way into your home! Fleas can be brought indoors by:
🐭 Mice and other small rodents that carry fleas into buildings
🐿️ Squirrels and other wildlife in your yard
👟 Fleas or flea stages picked up on our shoes, clothing, or feet
🐕🐈 Other pets that spend time outdoors

Once fleas make it inside, they can establish themselves in carpets, furniture, bedding, and cracks in flooring. Before you know it, your indoor-only pets are scratching, uncomfortable, and dealing with an infestation!

⏰ Why does flea treatment take so long?
Here's the frustrating part: killing the fleas you see is only the beginning! Less than 10% of the flea life-cycle is spent on your pet. So for every single flea you find, there are at least 10 more in your house.

Adult fleas live on your pet, but their eggs fall into the environment, where they develop through larval and pupal stages before emerging as adults. Flea pupae are particularly difficult to eliminate because they are protected inside cocoons. Each female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per 24 hours period - starting when they are just one day old.

Breaking the flea life cycle typically requires more than 3 months of consistent treatment. Even when you no longer see fleas, new adults can continue emerging from the environment for weeks or months. Stopping treatment too early allows the infestation to start all over again!

🏡 EVERY PET IN THE HOUSE NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED!
If one pet has fleas, all susceptible pets in the household need an appropriate flea-control plan. This includes dogs and cats, but don't forget your rabbits and hedgehogs! Different species require different products, and some flea treatments safe for dogs or cats can be dangerous or even fatal to other animals. Always consult your veterinarian before treating exotic pets.

🩺 How do we tackle a flea infestation at BVC?
When fleas are found in your home, we take a comprehensive approach:

🔎 1. Examine all pets. We check household pets for evidence of fleas and help identify which animals need treatment.
💊 2. Treat affected animals promptly. Pets with fleas can receive appropriate treatment, and we'll help you choose a safe, effective prevention plan for every susceptible pet in the household.
🏠 3. Treat the environment. We routinely use Knockout ES for rooms to help control environmental flea stages. Environmental treatment is an important part of the process, but it must be combined with consistent treatment of the animals and appropriate cleaning. The residual activity from Knockout ES lasts for up to 7 months to prevent re-infestation.
🧹 4. Stay consistent! Vacuum regularly, wash pet bedding as appropriate, and continue recommended flea prevention for at least 3-6 months. Your veterinary team can help determine how long treatment should continue based on the severity of the infestation and the products being used.

❤️ The bottom line: Indoor-only does not mean flea-proof! If you're seeing fleas, flea dirt, or excessive scratching, don't wait for the problem to get worse. The sooner you start a comprehensive plan, the sooner your pets and your home can be comfortable again.

📞 Contact BVC for help choosing safe flea control for every member of your household - furry, spiky, or floppy-eared!

10/13/2026

🐴EQUINE DAY: THURSDAY, OCT 29th! 🐴
Fall is here, making this the perfect time to get your horse’s teeth, feet, and soundness checked before heading into the colder months! 🍂

Our standing Equine Days are held every 2 months and offer the convenience of having your veterinarian and farrier work together when your horse needs more than routine care.

🦷 DENTAL FLOATS
Annual dental exams and floats help identify sharp enamel points, uneven wear, retained caps, and other dental concerns that can affect comfort, chewing, weight, and overall health. Getting teeth checked before fall and winter is especially helpful as horses transition toward increased hay consumption.

🐎 PROFESSIONAL HORSE TRIMMING
Trimming is performed by Certified Horse Farrier Harrison Hutton, helping keep your horse’s feet balanced, comfortable, and healthy.

🩻 RADIOGRAPHS & SPECIALTY SHOEING
If your horse needs radiographs for specialty shoes, Equine Day is a great opportunity to have the veterinarian and farrier evaluate the feet together. Radiographs can help guide therapeutic or corrective shoeing decisions and allow us to develop a plan based on your horse’s individual needs.

🐴 LAMENESS & SOUNDNESS CONCERNS
Have a horse that has been short-strided, uneven, sore, or just “not quite right”? This is an excellent time to have those concerns evaluated. Having the veterinarian and farrier working together can be especially valuable when hoof balance or shoeing may be contributing to a lameness issue.

10/09/2026

AI Detected!

10/07/2026

🐴 EQUINE COLIC: MORE THAN JUST A BELLYACHE

“Colic” is a word every horse owner dreads - but colic isn't actually one specific disease. Colic simply means abdominal pain, and there are many different reasons a horse can develop it.

🚨 KNOW THE SIGNS

Colic can look different from horse to horse. Signs may include:

• Pawing or repeatedly looking at the flank
• Restlessness or repeatedly lying down and getting up
• Rolling or attempting to roll
• Stretching out as if to urinate
• Sweating
• Decreased or absent manure production
• Loss of appetite
• A quiet or depressed attitude
• Increased heart rate
• Repeatedly getting into unusual positions
• Severe cases may involve violent rolling or obvious distress

Not every horse with colic will dramatically roll. Some horses simply seem uncomfortable or “not quite right.”

🔎 WHAT CAUSES COLIC?

There are many different causes, and this is one of the reasons a veterinary examination is so important.

Some cases involve gas or feed-related intestinal distension, while others may be associated with:

🌾 Changes in diet or sudden changes in forage
💧 Inadequate water intake or dehydration
🦷 Poor dental function
🪱 Parasites
🌱 Sand accumulation
💩 Impactions or feed material becoming lodged in the intestine
🔄 Intestinal displacement or abnormal positioning
🌀 Intestinal twists or strangulating obstructions
🩸 Compromised blood supply to a portion of the intestine

Some causes are relatively straightforward to manage medically. Others are true surgical emergencies.

💊 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT vs. SURGERY

When we examine a horse with colic, we're trying to determine what is causing the pain and how severe the problem is.

Depending on the findings, treatment may include pain control, sedation, fluids, medications to address gastrointestinal motility or inflammation, gastric decompression with a nasogastric tube, and close monitoring.

Some horses improve with medical treatment and never need surgery.

Other horses have a physical obstruction, displacement, twist, or compromised intestine that cannot be corrected with medication alone. These horses may need referral to an equine surgical facility.

That's why time matters.

When a surgical lesion is suspected, delaying referral can allow the intestine to become increasingly damaged and can significantly affect the horse's chances of recovery.

⏰ DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO “GET REALLY BAD.”

If your horse is showing signs of colic, call your veterinarian.

Even if the horse seems comfortable again, it is important to determine whether further evaluation or monitoring is needed. A horse that improves temporarily can still have an underlying problem.

Colic can range from a relatively simple gastrointestinal upset to a life-threatening intestinal emergency — and you often cannot tell which one you're dealing with just by looking at the horse.

🐴 Early recognition + veterinary evaluation + appropriate treatment can make all the difference.

If your horse is showing signs of colic, contact BVC as soon as possible.

10/06/2026

🚨 RODENTICIDE TOXICITY: A LITTLE BAIT CAN BE A BIG PROBLEM 🚨

We have seen a significant increase in rodenticide toxicity cases recently. Unfortunately, these exposures can happen during completely normal, everyday life - a pet finds bait in the garage, gets into a mouse trap station, or discovers a product that was thought to be safely out of reach.

Not all rodenticides are the same, and knowing what your pet was exposed to can make a major difference in treatment.

🐀 ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES
These products interfere with the body's ability to clot blood. Signs may not appear immediately and can include weakness, pale gums, coughing, difficulty breathing, bruising, or internal bleeding. Treatment may involve vitamin K1 and, in serious cases, blood or plasma transfusions.

☠️ BROMETHALIN
Bromethalin is a neurotoxin. It can cause neurologic signs such as tremors, seizures, weakness, or difficulty walking. There is no specific antidote, so rapid treatment and supportive care are extremely important.

🧪 CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3)
These products can cause dangerously high calcium levels and severe kidney damage. Vomiting, increased thirst and urination, weakness, and kidney failure can occur. Early treatment is critical.

🐭 ZINC PHOSPHIDE — INCLUDING SOME MOLE/GOPHER BAITS
This is a completely different class of poison and is treated differently.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: DO NOT TRY TO INDUCE VOMITING AT HOME IF YOU SUSPECT MOLE/GOPHER POISON EXPOSURE.

When zinc phosphide comes into contact with stomach acid, it can produce phosphine gas, a highly toxic and noxious gas. Vomiting an animal at home can potentially expose both your pet and you to this dangerous gas.

If your pet has gotten into a mole or gopher poison, call us. Do not attempt home treatment unless specifically directed by a veterinary professional.

⏰ PROMPT INTERVENTION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

Many poisoned pets look completely normal when they first arrive. Waiting for symptoms can allow significant damage to occur before treatment begins. The sooner we know what happened, the sooner we can determine the appropriate treatment and monitoring.

📸 If your pet gets into a rodenticide, bring the package or take a photo of the label. Knowing the active ingredient is extremely helpful because different poisons require very different treatments.

If you aren't sure what your pet got into, don't wait until symptoms develop. Call us. We would much rather help you determine that an exposure is low-risk than have you wait until your pet is critically ill.

🐶🐱 Keep all rodenticides, mole/gopher baits, and other pesticides securely out of reach of pets and children. Even products used routinely around the home can be dangerous when our pets find them.

📸 The fluid removed from an abdomen of a 14lb chihuahua that got into a warfarin variety rat poinson.

10/02/2026

🐄 SCOUR PREVENTION STARTS BEFORE THE CALF IS BORN!

Calf scours is one of the most frustrating and costly problems we deal with in the cow-calf operation. It can lead to dehydration, poor weight gain, treatment costs, and death—and even calves that survive a bout of scours can suffer long-term effects from intestinal damage.

One of the most important tools we have is vaccinating the pregnant cow so she can provide antibodies to her calf through colostrum.

🥛 Why vaccinate the cow?

Newborn calves are born without circulating antibodies from their dam. They depend heavily on high-quality colostrum received quickly after birth for protection during those first critical days of life.

Scours vaccines given during pregnancy stimulate the cow to produce antibodies against important scours-causing organisms, which are then concentrated in her colostrum.

But timing matters! The vaccine needs to be given during the appropriate window before calving so the cow has time to develop the immune response and put those antibodies into her colostrum.

📅 Different vaccines = different schedules

BOVILIS® Guardian® – Merck Animal Health
• Initial vaccination: 3 months before calving
• Booster: 3–6 weeks later
• Subsequent calvings: 5–7 weeks before calving

Scour Bos® 9 – Elanco
• Initial vaccination: 8–16 weeks before calving
• Follow-up dose: 4 weeks before calving
• Subsequent calvings: 8–10 weeks before calving

ScourGuard® 4KC - Zoetis
This product has a different vaccination window, with the initial vaccination occurring up to 9 weeks before calving and subsequent annual vaccination up to 6 weeks before calving. Always follow the specific product label and your herd veterinarian's protocol.

Our autogenous Clostridium A & E vaccine – Vaxxinova
Autogenous vaccines are different from the commercially available scours products above, and the appropriate timing and protocol depend on the vaccine and herd-specific program. We'll help determine the appropriate schedule for your herd.

🐮 Why does this matter?

Scours isn't caused by just one organism. Rotavirus, coronavirus, E. coli, and Clostridium can all play a role, and the organisms present—and the risk they pose—can vary from operation to operation.

Vaccination is one piece of a successful scours-prevention program. Good colostrum management, sanitation, nutrition, appropriate calving facilities, and reducing exposure to contaminated environments are all important too.

And remember: vaccinating the cow doesn't replace good colostrum management. The calf still needs to receive an adequate amount of good-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth.

📅 Planning ahead makes a difference. While we entering pregging season, you're getting ready for calving season - and the management decisions you make now influence what you will deal with in March. Now is the time to talk with us about which scours vaccine fits your herd and make sure your cows are vaccinated at the appropriate time.

🐄 Healthy calves start with a healthy, well-prepared cow.

09/30/2026

🌾🐶 FALL GRASS AWNS: A SMALL SEED WITH A BIG PROBLEM!

As grasses dry out this fall, cheat grass, foxtails, and other grass awns become a major hazard for our dogs.

These sharp, barbed seeds can become lodged in the ears, nose, and eyes, where they can continue to work their way deeper into tissue.

⚠️ Grass awns can cause:
• Severe and chronic irritation
• Painful ear infections and damage to the ear canal
• Rupture of the eardrum (tympanic membrane)
• Eye injuries that can result in blindness
• Deep infections and abscesses

Dogs that run through tall, dry grass are especially at risk.

After outdoor adventures this fall, take a few minutes to check your dog’s ears, eyes, nose, paws, and coat for grass awns. If your dog is suddenly shaking their head, squinting, pawing at an eye, sneezing repeatedly, or showing signs of pain after being in grass, don't wait—have them examined.

🌾 Those little grass seeds can travel a long way once they get into your dog!

Address

420 W Highway 20
Valentine, NE
69201

Opening Hours

Monday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Thursday	7:45am - 5:30pm
Friday	7:45am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14023761500

Website

http://www.butlerveterinaryclinic.com/

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