Large Animal
Herd Healthcare in Lincoln, AR
Welcome to Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln, where we offer herd healthcare as part of our large animal services for producers in Lincoln, Prairie Grove, Farmington, Summers, and everywhere in between.
Understanding Herd Healthcare
A healthy herd doesn’t happen by accident. Herd healthcare means looking at the whole group of animals, not just the one that’s sick today, and building a plan that helps prevent disease, protects productivity and catches problems early. For cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock, prevention is almost always easier and less costly than dealing with an outbreak.
Our veterinarians provide routine preventative care, vaccinations, exams and blood testing, along with diagnosis and treatment of sick animals. We also offer cattle pregnancy checks, parasite evaluation and reproductive services, and we assist with pregnancy and problem births.
That means many of the pieces of a herd health program are available from one team that gets to know your operation.
What to Expect From a Herd Health Program
Herd health is built around your animals and your goals. Here’s how we approach it:
Getting to Know Your Operation
We start by learning about your animals, your goals and how you manage feeding, grazing, breeding and handling. Past health problems and any losses help us see where to focus first.
A Preventive Plan
Together we can build a plan around the things that matter most for your herd, such as a vaccination schedule, parasite control, breeding and calving or kidding seasons, nutrition and body condition, and biosecurity for new or returning animals.
Ongoing Care
Herd health works best as an ongoing relationship. Regular visits let us see how the plan is working, adjust it as your herd changes and respond quickly when an animal gets sick.
On the Farm or at Our Facility
We offer large animal ambulatory services by appointment only, so routine herd work can often be done right on your farm. We also see animals at our fully-equipped on-site large animal facility.
Why Herd Healthcare Protects Your Animals and Your Investment
Herd healthcare is a good fit for cow-calf producers, sheep and goat owners, small family farms and families raising livestock for show. It’s especially helpful if you’re growing your herd, bringing in new animals, have had recurring illness or poor performance, or simply want a clear plan instead of reacting to problems one at a time.
- Prevention first: Vaccinations, parasite control and biosecurity help stop problems before they start.
- Better productivity: Attention to nutrition, body condition and breeding supports healthy, productive animals.
- Faster answers: A veterinarian who already knows your herd understands your animals’ history when one gets sick.
- Simpler paperwork: That same history helps when you need health certificates for travel, sales or shows.
Our team cares for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and other farm animals. Learn more about our food animal and equine medicine, or explore everything we offer on our large animal services page.
Schedule Herd Healthcare Today
Build a preventive plan that keeps your herd healthy and productive with Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln. Tell us about your species, herd size and any concerns so we can plan the visit.
Call us at (479) 824-3299 or visit us at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.
Herd Healthcare: Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a herd health plan?
Every plan is different, but most cover vaccinations, parasite control, reproduction, nutrition and body condition, and biosecurity. We tailor the plan to your species, herd size and goals, and adjust it over time as your operation changes and as we learn more about your animals and what’s working for them.
Is herd healthcare only for large operations?
Not at all. A small herd or a few backyard goats benefit from a preventive plan just as much as a large commercial operation. Even with only a handful of animals, one disease brought in by a new arrival or an unchecked parasite problem can cause real losses, and a plan helps you stay ahead of it.
How can I keep new animals from bringing disease into my herd?
Keeping new or returning animals separate for a period before they join the herd, buying from sources with known health histories, and keeping vaccinations current are common biosecurity steps. We can help you set up a quarantine and testing approach that fits your facilities, your species and your goals.
When should I call about a sick animal?
Call right away if an animal stops eating, goes down and can’t get up, has trouble breathing, shows a swollen left side, has severe diarrhea, or if several animals get sick at once. If you have an emergency with your animal, and do not have a scheduled farm call, please call us and we will try to accommodate you if possible.
How do I schedule a herd health visit and what are your hours?
Call Smithers Animal Hospital-Lincoln at (479) 824-3299 to set up a farm call or a visit to our large animal facility at 2157 E Pridemore Dr. in Lincoln. Tell us about your species, herd size and any concerns so we can plan the visit. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm and Friday 7:30am–5:00pm.