ROUTINE WELLNESS EXAMS:  We believe that regular exams are a valuable way to ensure the health of everyone's pets throughout their lifetime. We have found much truth in the old adage that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" Therefore, we offer physicals for pets at all life stages, and especially prefer to see pets be given the best chance at long healthy lives by addressing everything from their dietary needs to how we can support our animal friends through the natural aging process.

HEALTH CERTIFICATES: These are documents provided by a USDA-certified veterinarian after a physical exam is performed and are necessary when traveling to prove that a pet is in good health & safe to move about the country or world. Depending on where you might be traveling with your pet, there are different policies on what documents are needed. Please visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel to get properly prepared for your trip!

VACCINATIONS & DEWORMING:  We provide all the core vaccinations needed to keep your pet healthy & prevent deadly diseases, as well as some other vaccines your pet may need when traveling, boarding, and based on different lifestyles. Puppies & kittens need several rounds of vaccines (Boosters) as they are developing their immune systems, then most adult animals needs vaccines either yearly or every few years. We also offer Titer Testing, which is a blood test to check and see if your pet is producing enough antibodies from previous vaccines so that it is safe to skip a round of vaccinations for the year.

Deworming
Dogs and cats who hunt prey or eat carcasses (or other unmentionables!) can get different types of worms. Puppies & kittens can also get worms from their mothers. We recommend deworming all puppies & kittens with their vaccine boosters. Adult pets should either be dewormed routinely or have their feces tested for internal parasites.

Dog Vaccines

Cat Vaccines

FYI - Rabies is legally required for all dogs & cats!
This fatal disease can be transmitted to people and there is no cure!
Pets can get it from wildlife bites (raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats etc...)
If an unvaccinated pet bites a person, there are serious consequences including:
quarantining a pet, costly fines, and possible court orders to have a pet "destroyed" for rabies testing

Please protect your pets and people from this deadly disease!
We offer 1 and 3 year Rabies vaccines, and provide a certificate to prove your pets are safe & legal

FLEA, TICK, & HEARTWORM:  We offer routine Heartworm testing, fecal testing & treatment for worms & other parasites, and prescriptions for preventative products. We aim to develop programs for the specific needs of your pet and your own particular environmental situation by reviewing with you the parasites for which your pet is at the greatest risk based on their lifestyle and your location, as well as the best ways to use preventative products.

MICROCHIPPING: We offer microchip implantation for permanent identification and FREE lifetime registration. The procedure is as quick as a vaccination and could save the life of your pet!

While it's very true that most pets don't just "run away," there are certain unforeseen situations that can happen during traveling, natural disasters, stormy weather, other frightening events (fireworks), or an accident like someone forgetting to latch a gate, that can result in a pet getting lost. One study has stated that only about 15% of dogs and 2% of cats without permanent identification return home to their owners.

Another study has found however, that the
return-to-owner rate for
MICROCHIPPED PETS
was >52 percent
(a 238% increase)!
It has been said that approximately 9 million companion animals are admitted to shelters in the U.S. every year, and many of these who may have at one time had a home are euthanized because their owners cannot be found. We sincerely want your pet to have the best chance of getting back to you if ever lost!

BLOODWORK & DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES:  We utilize commercial veterinary laboratories for specialized diagnostics and consultations, including serum chemistry, hematology, serology, urinalysis and parasite testing.

We can draw blood or collect samples at your home to send off for almost any type of laboratory services. These may include & are not limited to the following: Heartworm testing, feline Leukemia/FIV testing, basic annual health screens, thyroid testing, food allergy testing, senior health checks & organ functioning, medication level monitoring, and pre-anesthetic bloodwork if you are considering a surgical procedure at a referral clinic.

     • Results are typically available in 24-48 hours

     • Basic health screens test the organ functions, blood counts and clotting function of your pet
       (recommended prior to surgery, on an annual basis for aging pets, or those with chronic conditions)

     • Allergy testing can be done for food and environmental allergens

Based on the results of your pet's lab work, we will design the appropriate plan to treat or manage your pet's condition. This may include medications, diet changes, or other options.

ACUPUNCTURE: Dr Ginger Davis is available for in-home acupuncture treatments for a wholistic approach to your pet's health. At Ponderosa Pet, we can use acupuncture in conjunction with Western medicine to treat a wide variety of conditions. Acupuncture is indicated for functional problems such as those that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (such as allergies), and pain. The following are some of the general conditions which may be treated with acupuncture:

• Musculoskeletal problems - such as arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, or traumatic nerve injury
• Respiratory problems - such as feline asthma
• Skin problems - such as lick granulomas and allergic dermatitis
• Gastrointestinal problems - such as diarrhea & irritable bowel
• Reproductive problems 

LASER THERAPY (*CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE*):  We perform therapeutic laser treatments with a Class IV veterinary laser which uses specific light wavelengths to stimulate electrons and activate cells to promote growth and repair.  The main clinical benefits of laser treatments in pets include decreased inflammation, decreased pain, and improved wound healing.

Tissue Repair
Light waves enhance blood circulation & oxygenation of tissues, promote muscle relaxation, decrease inflammation

Medical Problems for Laser Treatments 
Arthritis, Tendon & Ligament Issues, Surgical Incisions, Inflammatory Conditions (ears, oral lesions, skin issues)

Alternative to Prescription Medications
For Pets with Liver or Kidney Disease
Pets Unable to Take Pain Meds
Pets Difficult to Medicate & Exotics
Senior Pets

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT LASER THERAPY

X-RAY (PORTABLE DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY): We recently have added complete full functioning portable digital X-ray equipment to our services. We can now perform X-rays at any location and view them immediately. We also have the ability to send these images to board-certified radiologists for consultation on any case, for everyone's reassurance in ascertaining an accurate diagnosis, and for advice with treatment plans.

PHARMACY:  We use a combination of meds we keep on hand, online pharmacies such as Chewy, & local human pharmacy services. All of our clients have been very pleased with being able to get their pet’s meds at the time of their exam, at a familiar local pharmacy, or from online pharmacies who deliver their pet's important medications right to the front door within just a few days!

     • Online pharmacies, in addition to the convenience, also offer the very best prices for a variety of prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, flea & tick control products, and Heartworm preventatives

     • When prescriptions are called into your preferred human pharmacy, we will also try to provide you with coupons!

     • Prescription diets can additionally be ordered online or picked up from some of our local retailers

**We believe that everyone should be able to afford pet care. Therefore we want you to save your hard-earned dollars when it comes to the purchases of medications so you can invest in the necessary diagnostics and avoid the difficulty of possibly finding out later that the ongoing costs of treatment may prevent your pet from getting the best care!**

NUTRITION & DIETARY COUNSELING:  We will provide guidance regarding your pet's nutritional needs for each life stage, including dietary requirements for growth, weight maintenance and performance. Food allergies and prescription diets are also be discussed.

BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING:  We can provide advice regarding the correction of problems such as excessive barking, chewing, spraying, scratching, digging, house soiling, aggression, and self-destructive patterns (fur or feather plucking). Sometimes the best way to address these issues is to brainstorm a number of possible solutions and then see what works best! In this area of concern, we have the added benefit of observing a pet's natural environment which may provide very important clues to behavior problems.

REFERRAL SERVICES:  Although we do not currently have all the equipment of a full-service hospital, we can refer you to other local offices for these services here in Durango or Bayfield, CO. We also make referrals to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Colorado Springs, or Fort Collins for specialty services.

We have close working relationships with the other local animal hospitals,
who often refer their own clients to us when they are in need of mobile services

Our most common referrals to full-service hospitals are for
ADVANCED IMAGING
(Echocardiogram, Ultrasound, Endoscopy, CT/MRI)
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
EMERGENCIES
ONCOLOGY

Regional referrals are an additional option for more complete work-ups for

CARDIAC, OPHTHAMOLOGY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, & SPECIALTY SURGICAL
(Albuquerque, NM & Fort Collins, CO)
EXOTIC SPECIALTY & SURGERY
(Albuquerque, NM & Fort Collins, CO)

PET SITTING:  We partner with several local medically-trained VETERINARY TECHNICIANS who can provide pet sitting services for routine pet care while you are away, and for more advanced care that might be needed for senior pets, those on medications, or special-needs animals. Please contact us for a referral!

HOSPICE CARE & AT-HOME EUTHANASIA:  We understand the many difficulties associated with senior animals when the end is in sight...

~ Our Pets Are Part of Our Families ~
We all desire a life of
~ Peace ~ Quality ~
~ Dignity ~
~Freedom from Suffering~


It is also an emotional time for human family members when a pet is coming to the end of their journey here with us. We want you to know that your are not alone in this challenging time ♥ We are available to assess a pet's quality of life with you, provide medications to address their possible pain & anxiety on those tougher days, or even to simply discuss where and your pet may be at in this process, and how to navigate the many concerns with this period of their life.

Hospice care includes medical management and addressing the many senior needs as they can change quickly sometimes, and the whole process may seem like a roller coaster of good days & not so good days... when the time comes for a pet to pass from this world, we want the experience to be as comfortable and peaceful as possible for everyone. We always use sedation for the procedure so as not to cause any discomfort, and to allow things to go at a soothing pace. When the time comes, your pet can leave this world while resting under their favorite tree in the yard, or any other special place in the privacy & familiar surroundings of your home where they feel safe, and have shared so many memories & so much love with you.

After care arrangements can be made to suite your needs, from your own choice to provide burial to a few different cremation options. We believe in respecting the physical body even after an animal has passed, and so we work with others who also provide this same type of attention to detail.

 Surgeries & Emergency Care: Unfortunately we are not equipped to currently handle urgent emergencies or surgical procedures as we do not have anesthetic equipment or the ability to conduct sterile procedures. Please call one of our local full service veterinary offices for these types of care.