Sept. 29, 2010
When Your Dog, Cat or Horse Needs Help at Home, Who ‘Ya Gonna’ Call --- a House Call Vet
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Except for a precious few, physicians do not make house calls to treat patients. The reasons for a person needing a doctor to come to the door vary, but work schedule, transportation and degree of illness represent a few.
The same or similar issues can arise in taking Fido or Precious to the vet. Keeping your dog or cat up to date on wellness and vaccinations can also be hindered by schedules and transportation.
Enter --- the House Call Vet. Mark Brown’s idea grew out of making stops to see larger farm animals. From just a truck, he now has a van filled with many state of the art medical supplies and procedures.
HNN: When did you first decide you wanted to be a vet? (what was your first pet)
BROWN: My first pet was a dog named Moose, but it wasn't until I was an Undergrad at Center College that I considered Veterinary medicine. I was weighing options and was at first inclined to Engineering after doing well in Physics, but was disenchanted with other aspects of my student life, playing soccer, etc. I was driving one day without a real destination, and I saw a sign by the road for a veterinary clinic - so I asked for a job. I rode along with the DVM and worked there full-time for the next six months, quit soccer and transferred to Ohio State, completing my pre-Vet classes before acceptance at Purdue.
HNN: Was training the way you thought it would be.
Yes, and no. I knew that it would be difficult and there would be days where I questioned my sanity for choosing this career, but I also did not fully realize how completely rewarding the learning experience, the absolute Science of everything, would be. People may assume that because it is a discipline that involves "only animals" that Veterinary medicine pales in comparison to human medical school, but it really quite the opposite. You have different species with various diseases and disorders instead of one human being that can become ill. It's a tremendous amount of scientific and academic information as well as legalities and personalization.
HNN: Tell me a story (or 2) that makes your heart warm.
Wow, there are many... most of the time, they unfortunately stem from a tragedy or when an animal is facing what seems like insurmountable odds. We had a patient not too long ago who was rescued from a shelter and came in for a routine wellness check. It was discovered that the dog had severe dental issues with periodontal disease, a uterine infection and was Heartworm positive - these are all very serious diagnoses and potentially life-threatening.
We always consider the owner's thought process in something like that, especially in the circumstances of this case: an adult rescue-dog, 3 serious conditions, the financial aspect, etc. It can go either way decision-wise, as far as what path of treatment is decided upon. And this owner decided to fully commit to jumping in headlong and allow us to spay the dog, thus removing almost all threat from the uterine infection with complimentary antibiotics, and we then began treatment for the heartworm infestation. Four to six weeks into recovery, we performed a through dental cleaning with extractions, reducing the risk of further deterioration and organ-related failure secondary to dental disease. Today, we have a healthy dog and a happy family when it could have been a completely different outcome.
Brown: Another for-instance, someone had abandoned kittens in the dumpster adjacent to our building - only one was living, so my technicians bathed it and we then treated it for severe flea infestation and malnutrition and just hoped for the best. One year later, she's a very healthy cat and tries to rule the roost of her house. We see animals daily that are faced with some of the same diseases and illnesses that we ourselves face as human beings: cancer, organ failure, respiratory and heart disease, and it is really inspiring, the poise and grace that they can display while enduring these trials.
HNN: Why do you like animals
Brown: They make me laugh, relax.. sometimes all you need to do is look into their eyes and they can ease your mind or help you realize that what you're fixated or worried about isn't really worth the trouble. Anything from lazily begging for a belly rub or strutting around the house like they own it can just bring a smile to your face.
HNN: When did you bring out the housecalls then add the truck?
About six months into practicing, I began doing mobile or farm calls. These were done rather simply from the cab or bed of my truck and I didn't have the convenience, or luxury if you will, of the mounted unit. It came into play many years and much experience later. It's a vital piece of equipment!
HNN: W hat type of 'patients' (broad demographics) call you?
We have companion animals of course, cats and dogs, and a large number of Equine calls, but we also service llamas, pigs, cattle, goats.. pretty much almost any species, we have seen on a housecall basis or in the clinic. Most of our mobile calls come from clients who have work and family commitments that prevent them from traveling to the practice for care, so the convenience of house and farm calls on their schedule is really beneficial for them.
HNN: How'd you decide what services to offer did they come from the horse relted farm treatment?
Services offered pretty much surfaced from experience and feedback: what my clients needed, what I saw was lacking in care of animals and how I could help remedy that for the patient and the client as well. It all starts with the importance of routine vaccination and wellness care for the patient, large or small, at a mutual convenience for my client and myself. It is really a great feeling to know that you are helping an animal and their owner by coming to them when it may not have been possible for them to come to you.
For further info visit: http://www.brownveterinaryservice.com, 304 272-6200
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When Your Dog, Cat or Horse Needs Help at Home, Who ‘Ya Gonna’ Call --- a House Call Vet
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Except for a precious few, physicians do not make house calls to treat patients. The reasons for a person needing a doctor to come to the door vary, but work schedule, transportation and degree of illness represent a few.
The same or similar issues can arise in taking Fido or Precious to the vet. Keeping your dog or cat up to date on wellness and vaccinations can also be hindered by schedules and transportation.
Enter --- the House Call Vet. Mark Brown’s idea grew out of making stops to see larger farm animals. From just a truck, he now has a van filled with many state of the art medical supplies and procedures.
HNN: When did you first decide you wanted to be a vet? (what was your first pet)
BROWN: My first pet was a dog named Moose, but it wasn't until I was an Undergrad at Center College that I considered Veterinary medicine. I was weighing options and was at first inclined to Engineering after doing well in Physics, but was disenchanted with other aspects of my student life, playing soccer, etc. I was driving one day without a real destination, and I saw a sign by the road for a veterinary clinic - so I asked for a job. I rode along with the DVM and worked there full-time for the next six months, quit soccer and transferred to Ohio State, completing my pre-Vet classes before acceptance at Purdue.
HNN: Was training the way you thought it would be.
Yes, and no. I knew that it would be difficult and there would be days where I questioned my sanity for choosing this career, but I also did not fully realize how completely rewarding the learning experience, the absolute Science of everything, would be. People may assume that because it is a discipline that involves "only animals" that Veterinary medicine pales in comparison to human medical school, but it really quite the opposite. You have different species with various diseases and disorders instead of one human being that can become ill. It's a tremendous amount of scientific and academic information as well as legalities and personalization.
HNN: Tell me a story (or 2) that makes your heart warm.
Wow, there are many... most of the time, they unfortunately stem from a tragedy or when an animal is facing what seems like insurmountable odds. We had a patient not too long ago who was rescued from a shelter and came in for a routine wellness check. It was discovered that the dog had severe dental issues with periodontal disease, a uterine infection and was Heartworm positive - these are all very serious diagnoses and potentially life-threatening.
We always consider the owner's thought process in something like that, especially in the circumstances of this case: an adult rescue-dog, 3 serious conditions, the financial aspect, etc. It can go either way decision-wise, as far as what path of treatment is decided upon. And this owner decided to fully commit to jumping in headlong and allow us to spay the dog, thus removing almost all threat from the uterine infection with complimentary antibiotics, and we then began treatment for the heartworm infestation. Four to six weeks into recovery, we performed a through dental cleaning with extractions, reducing the risk of further deterioration and organ-related failure secondary to dental disease. Today, we have a healthy dog and a happy family when it could have been a completely different outcome.
Brown: Another for-instance, someone had abandoned kittens in the dumpster adjacent to our building - only one was living, so my technicians bathed it and we then treated it for severe flea infestation and malnutrition and just hoped for the best. One year later, she's a very healthy cat and tries to rule the roost of her house. We see animals daily that are faced with some of the same diseases and illnesses that we ourselves face as human beings: cancer, organ failure, respiratory and heart disease, and it is really inspiring, the poise and grace that they can display while enduring these trials.
HNN: Why do you like animals
Brown: They make me laugh, relax.. sometimes all you need to do is look into their eyes and they can ease your mind or help you realize that what you're fixated or worried about isn't really worth the trouble. Anything from lazily begging for a belly rub or strutting around the house like they own it can just bring a smile to your face.
HNN: When did you bring out the housecalls then add the truck?
About six months into practicing, I began doing mobile or farm calls. These were done rather simply from the cab or bed of my truck and I didn't have the convenience, or luxury if you will, of the mounted unit. It came into play many years and much experience later. It's a vital piece of equipment!
HNN: W hat type of 'patients' (broad demographics) call you?
We have companion animals of course, cats and dogs, and a large number of Equine calls, but we also service llamas, pigs, cattle, goats.. pretty much almost any species, we have seen on a housecall basis or in the clinic. Most of our mobile calls come from clients who have work and family commitments that prevent them from traveling to the practice for care, so the convenience of house and farm calls on their schedule is really beneficial for them.
HNN: How'd you decide what services to offer did they come from the horse relted farm treatment?
Services offered pretty much surfaced from experience and feedback: what my clients needed, what I saw was lacking in care of animals and how I could help remedy that for the patient and the client as well. It all starts with the importance of routine vaccination and wellness care for the patient, large or small, at a mutual convenience for my client and myself. It is really a great feeling to know that you are helping an animal and their owner by coming to them when it may not have been possible for them to come to you.
For further info visit: http://www.brownveterinaryservice.com, 304 272-6200
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
