Professional Veterinary Care for Your Pet
Welcome
We are a professional animal Veterinary Clinic offering medical and surgical care for small animals. Four Rivers has been operating in Ontario, Oregon since 1999, with an emphasis on preventative care and client education. We emphasize preventive medicine, wellness care, geriatric care, and dental care for our patients.
We're committed to giving your pets extraordinary care whenever and wherever they need it. Partner with one of our veterinarians today to begin proactively
monitoring the health and wellness of the pets you love.
To schedule an appointment or get directions to our clinic, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
Wellness

Wellness
Examinations

Flea and Tick
Control

Grooming

Boarding
Services

Immunizations
(Vaccinations)

Dental Care

Surgical
Services

Radiology
(X-Rays)
We offer the best care for your
dogs and cats
Request Appointment
Wellness
Wellness
In today’s economy, it can be more difficult for owners to provide all the care their pets may need. Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic is in the development phase of Wellness packages. These packages will be designed to give owners individual plan options that will provide desired health care in monthly payment plans through automatic withdrawals.
Flea and Tick Control
At Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic we want our clients to be fully informed about external parasites in the Treasure Valley. We have seen an increasing number of pets with both fleas and ticks in the past few years. This is a change, and many pet owners don’t believe we have fleas here in Malheur and Payette county. Because the numbers of parasites have increased and because both fleas and ticks can transmit parasites and serious diseases we are recommending flea and tick control for all cats and dogs that continues all year round.How to establish adequate flea control is another area that is often misunderstood. That is because the flea life cycle is hard to understand. Essentially a good flea control product should kill not only adult fleas but also kill both eggs and immature flea life stages. Good flea control also means the pet’s environment must be controlled. To that end we frequently encourage owners to use flea bombs that contain the insect growth regulator Nylar in their homes at the same time flea control for all pets in the household is started. Some owners also go ahead and use yard sprays or pest control services to treat their yards for fleas and ticks.
Here at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic we recommend two products for dogs, one topical Frontline Gold or the oral chew Nexguard. Both of these products are labeled to kill both fleas and ticks. For cats we recommend the topical product Frontline Gold. Frontline Gold is the improved version of Frontline Plus, an extra insect growth regulator was added to provide longer control over the egg and larval stages of the flea life cycle. All of these products are to be used once a month and we recommend they be used all year. As a rule we do not usually recommend flea shampoos or flea collars. The only exception is the Seresto brand collars, these collars which are available for both cats and dogs. These collars provide flea and tick control for up to 8 months. We do not carry these collars but can be found at stores like D & B.
Please call us with any flea and tick control questions.
Pet Microchipping

Microchipping is a professional way to identify your pet. It's a permanent identification and its proven safe and effective. At Four Rivers Vet we use AKC Reunite microchips.
Have your pet micro chipped today! Please call or e-mail our office with questions.
Grooming
Grooming is provided at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic by Linda Mitchell of Pets Plus Grooming, along with her assistant Mary Cochrane. Linda has over 20 years of grooming experience with all dog breeds. She and Mary will do baths and brush outs, shaving, as well as breed cuts.Grooming is available Mondays through Wednesdays at the clinic, please call our number at 541-889-7776. Linda also grooms Thursdays, some Fridays and Saturdays at her home in Parma. To contact Linda there, the number is 208-722-5016.
Boarding
We know that there are times when you must travel and are not able to take your family pets with you. Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic is happy to provide both overnight boarding as well as day boarding for dogs and cats. Our staff is available to provide TLC for your pets seven days a week. We are also able to care for pets who might need medicating, whether it be oral medications, or more complex things like insulin injections or subcutaneous fluids.Boarding Guidelines Regarding Vaccines
All pets who board must be current on their vaccines given by a veterinarian. Vaccines that are purchased over the counter cannot be guaranteed to be “in date” or are properly stored/administered correctly, for these reasons we do not accept owner self vaccination for boarding purposes.The following are our vaccine requirements and other guidelines for pets boarding in our facility:
- All pets must be four (4) months old or older and have received their set of 3 DA2P/PV vaccines before they can board for the safety of all.
- Any pets that arrive with fleas or ticks will be treated in the hospital at the owner's expense so that all boarded pets will remain safe.
-
Dogs: All dogs must be current on their Rabies and Distemper Parvo vaccines.
Also, a kennel cough vaccine (Bordatella) must have been given within the last 6 months. - Because of the recent Canine Influenza outbreaks across the country and the recent local positive dog we are adding Canine Influenza to our required vaccinations. This vaccine is available as a bivalent killed vaccine and the initial two doses are given 3 to 4 weeks apart and then it is an annual vaccine booster.
- Cats: All cats must be current on their Rabies and their FVRCP vaccines. Feline Leukemia vaccine is recommended but not required.
- Any boarding animals coming from other facilities will need to have written proof of vaccinations from their veterinary clinic to us 48 hours prior to their animals being admitted to board.
Food and Bedding While Boarding
Owners may bring the pet’s own food and bedding, or we are able to provide those items for their pets. We feed Science Diet Feline Maintenance for the cats, and for dogs Science Diet ID , an intestinal formula designed to decrease stress colitis, for the dogs.Reservations and Pickup Times
Reservations are always required for our boarding guests. Please have your pets arrive between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. For questions about boarding please call us at 541-889-7776Hospice and Euthanasia Services
When treasured family pets near the end of their lives, owners are often unsure what the next right steps might be. One of our duties at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic is to help you determine when that time for euthanasia has come. Many health conditions that pets experience as they age can require long-term medication and can sometimes be painful for the pet. In some cases, only palliative care in the form of pain medications is their only option. Other times, there are supportive therapies that can help keep them comfortable.Doing What's Best for Your Pet
When it does come time to have a beloved pet euthanized, the staff at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic are there to give you many caring options. Dr. Robinson and her staff are able to perform this service in the clinic, but they can sometimes do house calls so that owners may have this service performed where the pet is more comfortable.Four Rivers does not have a burial service available but we do offer cremation services provided by Ada Animal Crematorium in Boise, Idaho. They have provided respectful caring cremation services to the area for many years.
Look them up at Ada Animal Crematorium.
We offer the best care for your
dogs and cats
Request Appointment
Services
Services
Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic is happy to offer complete medical and surgical care for your pet. We are a progressive clinic with the latest in technology and treatment options. Below is an example of our services for dogs, cats, and pocket pets.
Cats
Treatment of cats is very different than dogs.
Cats are not small dogs. They are a species that have special needs which can be very different from dogs. Dr. Robinson and her staff enjoy working with cats and we are pleased to have Dr. Hazel Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP, a feline specialist, available to see referral feline medicine and behavior cases.We also have the area’s only I131 facility to treat hyperthyroid cats. We know that bringing cats to the veterinarian can be a stressful event for both the cats and the owners. We are happy to give you tips on how to make a trip to the clinic a pleasant experience.
Four Rivers Veterinary is also involved in several community-based feline efforts. Click the link below to learn about some of these services:
Dogs
Dogs Really Are Man's Best Friends
Dogs are known as man’s best friends. They come in all different breeds, sizes and personalities. From that very cute puppy to your beloved senior canine, let Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic guide you through all the stages of their lives.From Vaccinations to Nutrional Advice
We can help with questions about everything from vaccination protocols and nutrition advice, to obedience training and wellness plans for older pets to optimize their quality of life for as long as possible.Vaccinations For Your Dog
Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic offers additional vaccines (besides the core DA2P/PV, Rabies and Bordatella) for dogs whose lifestyle may expose them to other diseases.Merk Nobivac Canine Flu Bivalent: Nobivac Canine Flu Bivalent is the first canine vaccine that aids in the control of disease associated with Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 and H3N2.Approved as an aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N2 and H3N8 infection. Recommended for use in healthy dogs 7 weeks of age or older.
Crotalus Atrox Toxoid (rattlesnake vaccine): The rattlesnake vaccine was developed to give protective antibodies to dogs who would be around the Western Diamond Rattlesnake. These antibodies help to lessen the pain of the bite and decrease the risk of permanent damage to the dog. Vaccinated dogs should still be examined by a veterinarian if bitten.
The recommended protocol for this vaccine is an initial vaccination the first year with a booster immunization 4 weeks after. The maximum levels of antibodies develop 6 to 8 weeks after vaccination and duration of protection is approximately 6 months. In subsequent years dogs are given a single booster vaccination. If your dog will be in a part of the country where rattlesnakes will be active all year, we recommend a vaccination every 6 months.
For more questions about this vaccine, please call Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic or visit The Red Rock Biologics website.
Dental Care for Dogs and Cats
What's That Smell?
Have you ever wondered what that smell coming from your pet’s mouth might be?? Let Dr. Robinson and her staff flip those lips and evaluate your pet’s dental health. Dental disease is one of the most overlooked health problems facing our pets today.What are some of the signs of dental disease in dogs and cats?
- Bad Breath.
- Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar.
- Your pet pulls away when you touch the mouth area.
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth, or chewing on one side of the mouth.
- Bleeding from the mouth.
- Loss of appetite or loss of weight; dental disease can damage many organs such as the heart and kidneys.
Dental Radiographs: We are excited to now be able to offer digital dental radiographs of your pet’s teeth taken during dental treatment sessions. Our new unit the Midmark VetPro DC allows us to take images of teeth and their roots so we can examine what is going on below the gumline as well as above. We can now look for tooth root abscesses, root resorption and possible bone pathology as well.
What Kind Of Home Care Can We Do For Our Pets?
The mainstay of at home dental care has always been brushing your pet’s teeth. But not all toothpastes are the same. There are many available brands of pet toothpaste. The most important thing to remember is that pet toothpaste does not foam like our own toothpaste, so please do not use yours for your pet. There is also a difference in fluoride levels between human and animal toothpastes so please be sure to use pet toothpaste.In addition to brushing teeth there are dental chews available for your pet. We currently recommend and sell Ora-vet chews made by Boehringer Ingelheim. As part of our dental specials we offer a free 14 count box of these chews. Hills Science Diet has also developed a dental chew and there are wipes and sprays available on the markets well.
But remember ... brushing is best!
Radiology
Radiology (x-ray) is a non-invasive tool that can be essential for veterinarians as we try to determine causes of illness and a good treatment plan for your pet. Radiographs (x-rays) are used to determine health problems in many different organ systems. In addition to the obvious broken bones or ingested foreign bodies, radiographs can help us determine problems within the heart and lungs, as well as the urinary tract, and even look for tooth root abscesses in the mouth.We have a Vet-Ray DR system and also utilize digital dental radiology technology with the Midmark Vet-Pro DC. We use Ezyvet software and a PAC system (Asteris Keystone) so we're able to keep all radiogrpahs in the pet's account for easy reference.
Various Imaging Services Offered
Here at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic, we offer plain and some contrast radiology services. We are pleased to offer digital radiography through our Regius II Konica Minolta system. With this new system we are able to take top quality radiographs with less exposure to your pet. If there are any concerns regarding findings on the radiographs they are sent electronically to the board certified radiologists at WestVet Specialty Clinic for further evaluation.For those animals who need advanced imaging such as CT or MRI, we will refer you to West Vet Specialty Clinic in Boise, Idaho.
Spay and Neuter
Help Control the Pet Population
Often the first, and sometimes the only surgery, your pets will have in their lives is when they are spayed and neutered. Female animals are spayed and male animals are neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but there are so many additional benefits to these procedures. When female animals are spayed it prevents future cases of mammary and uterine cancer and it also eliminates the risk for pyometra, a potentially fatal infection of the uterus. When male animals are neutered it eliminates any risk of testicular cancer and it also decreases any chance of anal gland cancers as well as prostate cancer and abscesses, which are also life threatening.All spays and neuters are done under general anesthesia with isoflurane gas. There is a technician present monitoring your pet while Dr. Robinson performs the surgery. We keep our spays and neuters overnight so that your animal can come home completely awake and so we have their pain well controlled. We provide post surgical anti-inflammatory medications for your pet as well as an Elizabethan Collar to prevent your pet from licking at it’s incision, which could cause inflammation and infection at their surgical site. If your pet has sutures they are removed at a no charge recheck 10 to 14 days after the surgery is performed.
When Should I Have My Pet Spayed (or Neutered)?
Cats are typically spayed by 5 to 6 months of age. For our dog patients we spay and neuter smaller breed dogs at 6 months of age. For our large bred dogs recent research suggests that they should be spayed and neutered at 1 year of age or older to help decrease bone and joint problems in the future.Please feel free to call the clinic if you have any other questions regarding spays and neuters today.
Surgical Services
Special Training in Bone Plate Applications
In addition to soft tissue procedures like spays, neuters, and tumor removals, Dr. Robinson has had extra training in bone plate application for treatment of long bone fractures. Four Rivers brought in Veterinary Orthopedic Implants equipment, including a new drill and complete bone plate setup, which allows for 2.4mm and 3.5mm bone plates with locking screw and plate technology. This provides a more stable repair.Surgical procedures can be a time of worry for pet owners. Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic does all they can to minimize that worry:
- A complete physical exam is performed on surgical patients prior to their anesthesia.
- An anesthetic plan is tailored to fit each animal’s individual needs.
- Appropriate pain medications to the type of surgery being performed are provided and we send additional pain medications home as well to ensure the animals have a comfortable recovery.
- Pets have IV catheters, IV fluids when indicated, and heat sources to maintain body temperature are provided while in surgery.
- Animals are monitored by veterinary assistants, as well as being continuously monitored by an anesthesia monitor which monitors such things as heart rate, lead II EKG, oxygen saturation, end tidal carbon dioxide, body temperature and respiration rate.
- Pets are monitored during recovery and wake up on padded beds with heat sources.
There is No Such Thing as a Simple Surgery
No surgery is considered “simple,” so we offer pre-surgical blood work to evaluate parameters like blood count, liver and kidney values, and electrolytes, in combination with a complete physical examination to determine if your pet is ready for surgery and what steps need to be taken to ensure good surgical outcomes.If there is a surgery that Dr. Robinson feels would be best performed by a specialist, she will be happy to help get you set up with a surgical specialist. West Vet Specialty Center in Boise Idaho has three board certified surgeons who can perform those specialized surgeries.
We offer the best care for your
dogs and cats
Request Appointment
Special Feline Services
Special Feline Services
Trap-Neuter-Return Project
The Trap-Neuter-Return Project is a humane and effective way to control Ontario’s growing feral cat populations. Tax-deductible contributions are accepted on behalf of the Ontario Feral Cat Project at Ontario City Hall, Eastern Oregon Animal Health, Ontario Animal Hospital and here at Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic.Ontario Feral Cat Project
The Ontario Feral Cat Project is a non-profit organization operated by donations and volunteers. The program is designed to reduce our community’s feral and stray cat overpopulation by using a technique of trap, neuter and return (TNR) to existing monitored colonies. Although not part of our core mission, we also try to find good, loving homes for adoptable cats and kittens. We serve Ontario, Oregon.OFCP is possible because our community cares about what happens to animals. We work for donations 365 days per year to keep this going. All of the veterinary clinics in Ontario participate in the Project, with the veterinarians all donating their time. Local businesses have been very generous in donating supplies and services as well as cash. Our volunteers are fantastic! We have no paid employees; all the TNR, cat care and fundraising is done by volunteers.
We started the project in 2009 at the request of the Ontario Police Department. After several months of fund-raising and some great support from the City of Ontario, we did our first trapping on November 5, 2009. Since then we have TNR’d thousands of cats! We trap between 30 and 60 cats per month.
We don’t have a shelter or any facility that is suitable for caring for cats other than temporarily before and after their surgeries. It is a challenge every time we are asked to take in cats or kittens. When we take in cats or kittens we have to find a foster home for them. Our fosters are dedicated individuals who donate their time to care for and socialize cats so that we can find permanent homes for them.
We partner with PetSense in Ontario, PetSmart in Meridian and Petco in Nampa to find homes for cats and kittens that are socialized and adoptable.
We have several projects each year to raise the funds necessary to continue the Project:
- We have been having huge yard sales in the spring annually since 2010.
- We mail a newsletter out to our supporters twice a year.
- Every year we host our Nab and Neuter Auction.
- One of our volunteers makes beautiful, one-of-a-kind crocheted cats that are for sale at The House That Art Built.
- We are working on calendars that will feature OFCP cats – both ferals and cute kittens.
- We are in constant need of food and cat litter donations to help with the cats we rescue. Donations can be left with the veterinary clinics.
Follow the Ontario Feral Cat Project online at ontarioferalcats.org. They have many kittens and cats that are available for adoption. Please take a look at this website as it is full of information regarding the feral cat population, different projects and such.
Behavioral Medicine
If you want to change a cat’s behavior, you must think like a cat! But what if you think like a d-o-g or even like a person? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Carney who most often does think like a cat.She has studied cat behavior for more than 40 years and while still learning from our purring friends, understands how to help you better address feline behaviors such as house soiling; not getting along with roommate cats, children and adults; scratching the new couch; crying in the middle of the night and over-grooming.
Dr. Carney started working with “misbehaving” cats because her own beloved cat wet the bed and he taught her much about what cats needs to feel secure. After evaluating your cat for any possible medical causes of the behavior, Dr. Carney will proceed with a full behavior history and develop a plan specific for your situation. She may use behavior modification drugs as well.
Dr. Carney has published scientific articles and book chapters about feline behavior and lectures about it to both veterinary groups and the general public.
Does Your Cat Do This?
Urinating Outside the Litter Box:- Why They Do It: When cats urinate outside of the litter box, they’re telling you that something is wrong in their world. “They may have encountered difficulty with another cat, or they’re ill and feeling vulnerable,” Carney said. The box may be too dirty for them.
- How To Solve It: One cat really needs two litter boxes. If a home has more than one floor, additional litter boxes may be needed on the other levels. Cats need more and larger litter boxes than we normally give them. Place litter boxes in a “safe” place, away from noises (like the washer and dryer) and high traffic areas (toddlers, other pets). Get a new box twice a year.
- Why They Do It: Your pet may have separation anxiety. Your bed is where your smell is the strongest, and your cat does not want to leave it.
- How To Solve It: Put the litter box close to or on your bed (protect bedding with a clear plastic shower curtain). Praise the cat for using it and gradually move the box further away from the bed. Develop a leave-taking ritual, even if you leave the house for a few minutes. Don’t make homecoming a big deal.
What's Your Cat Trying to Say?
Cats have 23 words -- or distinct vocal sounds -- in their vocabularies. They also use their bodies to communicate. Hazel Carney listens for the number of "me's" and "ow's" and the emphasis on each sound.Chirping: Cats will trill a chirp-like greeting to say hello. That indicates friendliness.
Purring: Cats have three types of purrs, Carney said, and all three mean something different. The classic happy cat purr is rhythmic and deep. The frightened purr is a lower pitch and monotonous. Then, 24 hours preceding death, cats are known to make a low-pitched, constant purr.
Ear and Whiskers: Forward-pointing ears and whiskers indicate interest.Feet: Any cat that allows you to readily handle his feet tends to be a very good-natured cat, Carney said.Slow blinking: This is the equivalent of a kitty kiss, Carney said. “It’s the main compliment a cat gives to his owner.”Staring: A cat that stares at you has a greater aggressive tendency than one that averts his eyes. “In the wild, a cat fixes his eyes on the guy he’s gonna nail,” Carney said.
Slow Blinking: "This is the equivalent of a kitty kiss," Carney said. "It's the main compliment a cat gives to his owner."
Kneading: Cats do this when they are relaxed and content. "That's going back to the happiest time of his life when he was nursing."
Feet: “Any cat that allows you to readily handle their feet tends to be a very good-natured cat,” Carney said.
We offer the best care for your
dogs and cats
Request Appointment
About Us
About Us
The professional and courteous staff at Four Rivers Veterinary seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care
for their highly-valued patients.
We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventive health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients.
Four Rivers Veterinary strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to Ontario, OR and surrounding areas.
Our Team
-
Doctors
-
Techs

Erin Robinson
DVM
Dr. Erin worked as an associate veterinarian in a mixed animal practice in Rupert, Idaho for three years before purchasing Four Rivers Veterinary Clinic and moving to Ontario, Oregon in 1999. She enjoys both surgery and medicine and has added interests in sight hounds and feline medicine.
Dr. Erin has two children and they share their home with numerous dogs and cats. In her “free time” Dr. Erin enjoys cooking, reading and supporting her children in their latest adventures.

Hazel Carney
DVM, MS, DABVP
In 1986 she became an adjunct professor of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and was a founding member of the Louisiana Veterinary Nuclear Medicine group which provided I-131 (radioactive iodine) therapy for veterinarians in Louisiana and Mississippi. Over the past ten years Dr. Carney has been instrumental in the continued development of the AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) practice guidelines in the areas of behavior and nursing care. Dr. Carney is a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Canine and Feline Clinical Practice.
Because Dr. Carney limits her practice to cats, she has a very specialized scope of services for treating complex medical cases and feline behavior problems. She also shares her findings and expertise by speaking at various national and regional veterinary conferences.

Bryn Elliott
Veterinary Assistant
In addition to her numerous Aussies, Bryn is owned by two very precocious cats, 5 goats and numerous chickens.

April Williams
Veterinary Assistant
April began her employment in the kennels and soon discovered she wanted to expand her involvement in veterinary medicine. April assists in every part of the practice from up front duties in reception to the back in surgery and hospital care. If she could stay in one place in the clinic it would be in the lab performing diagnostic tests.
April grew up with a variety of animals from horses to turtles, and assisted her father who trains hunting dogs. April is married and has two sons and a daughter. Her “fur kids” include a Jack Russell, a Jack Russell mix, and two cats. In her free time she enjoys camping, hunting, fishing, horseback riding and reading.

Cecilia Carver
Veterinary Assistant
Cec has been a “serious cat person” since obtaining her first kitten in 1981. In addition to her cats, her family also includes a rescued Schnauhuahua, and a Solomon Island Eclectus parrot.
We offer the best care for your
dogs and cats
Request Appointment
Contact Us
Contact Us
Forms
Map
Office Hours
Monday | 8am - 5:30pm |
Tuesday | 8am - 5:30pm |
Wednesday | 8am - 5:30pm |
Thursday | 8am - 5:30pm |
Friday | 8am - 5:30pm |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |