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A -24-degree snowstorm is no match for the veterinary team!

Resourcefulness and community are key to treating all animals
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In one case, the Poplar Grove team developed a makeshift solution for a newborn calf with a crooked spine. Photos courtesy of Poplar Grove Veterinary Services.

At Poplar Grove Veterinary Services in Innisfail, every day brings something new for. The veterinarians and RVT team start their mornings unsure whether they will be treating a household pet or delivering a calf in the middle of a snowstorm. The unpredictability of rural veterinary medicine means the team has to be creative, resilient and connected to their community.

“Rural medicine is unique in a few ways,” explains a Poplar Grove veterinarian, Dr.Home. “Due to the nature of the area, people have all sorts of animals, not just cats and dogs. We see almost anything that comes in the door and have to take the most practical approach possible. We get creative in our treatment plans and do lots of research to brainstorm.”

On any given day, her team may treat animals ranging from dogs and cats to livestock like cows, horses and goats, or even more unusual patients such as llamas and chickens. 

Each species brings its own challenges, and since they're often treating animals at their home or barn, rather than in a clinic, the veterinary team must often think outside the box. “We don't always have access to the advanced tools you'd find in the city,” she says. “If the animal can’t be transported, especially in remote areas, we rely on teamwork and our skills to provide the best care.”

In one case, the team developed a makeshift solution for a newborn calf with a crooked spine. “It was healthy otherwise, but it couldn’t stand properly,” The Veterinarian shares. “We built a sling to help it stand and nurse. Over time, its spine straightened, and it was able to go out into the field with its mother. That kind of improvisation is essential out here.”

The unpredictable nature of rural veterinary work extends to the emergencies, which can occur at any time of day or night. “A calving in the middle of the night during a snowstorm – it happens,” Dr. Homer says.

“It was -24, and the trailer was snowed in, so we had to go to the farm. We performed an emergency C-section right there. The trick is to work fast because your equipment freezes quickly. The farmer brought heaters and lights, and we worked together and got it done. Both the cow and the calf survived and did well.”

Despite the sometimes difficult nature of rural vet work, these challenges are also what make the job rewarding.

“Rural lifestyles don’t often have days off,” she says. “When it’s busy, it’s busy! But when the season changes, there’s time for much-needed R&R.”

The relationship between the clinic and the community is symbiotic. “When we take care of animals, we’re supporting local farmers and families. That connection is a huge part of why we do this.”

For more information, visit poplargrovevet.com. Click here to book an appointment and make sure to follow them on Facebook!