10/14/2023
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION that impacts the future health care of ALL patients of Manistee Veterinary Hospital**
Hello, this is Dr. Brown. You may or may not be aware that Manistee Vet is currently experiencing a fully booked appointment schedule for the next two months for wellness and medical consultation appointments. The simple explanation for this is that Manistee Vet has only had one full time veterinarian available to see appointments since June of 2023, with a current patient load that would readily support having three full time veterinarians on staff. I remind everyone that the United States is experiencing a veterinary shortage. It is currently expected that by 2030 that in the U.S. we will be experiencing a shortage of up to 15,000 companion animal veterinarians. I have been actively looking to make Manistee Vet a full time three-doctor practice since 2018. With the previously mentioned information it is unlikely that this will happen anytime in the near future.
Since June I have been working an average of 6 days a week and putting in well over 60 hours a week at Manistee Vet. I physically, mentally, and emotionally cannot continue at this pace. I am aware that it is not possible for me to see all the patients of Manistee Vet and provide the level of care I want for those patients. It is very difficult for myself and all the staff at Manistee Vet to defer many clients on a daily basis to seek care elsewhere simply because we do not have any availability in the appointment schedule to provide services to all of the clients and their pets in a timely manner. I know every day all staff, including myself, leave with the heavy burden of the day with the inability to meet all of our clientsā expectations and hear their voiced disappointments and worries with not being able to get in right away. With that being said, thank you to all of the wonderful clients that do show us appreciation with how we are trying to provide services and recommendations to the best of our abilities with our busy schedule.
What should you expect as we move forward?
ā¢ When you call with a health concern about your pet the staff will gather information by asking you several questions about what is going on with your pet. Based on the answers to these questions you may be immediately referred to seek care elsewhere that day or you may be informed that someone will be in touch later that day after Dr. Brown is able to review this information and evaluate your petās chart in regards to providing recommendations on how to best proceed.
ā¢ If you need to speak with me directly to discuss your petās health concerns, be aware that I am typically not available until at the end of the day after all appointments have been completed. Many of you have received an end of the work day phone call from me between 5:00-9:00 at night to discuss your pet and your concerns.
ā¢ Be aware of dog county licensing: There is a possibility that we will not be able to get your dog in on time for their due rabies vaccine. This will cause you to be late on obtaining a county dog license which you will incur a late fee. FYI, some Tractor Supply stores in the surrounding counties will have weekend vaccines clinics available to give your pet their needed vaccines and keep your dogās rabies vaccine status in good standing. Search online to find future available vaccine clinic dates and times.
ā¢ We do keep a cancellation list for clients that are looking to get in sooner for their petās appointment. This list at times can get quite lengthy. When there is a cancellation in the schedule, I review the list and based on priority of concern I will have staff call to see if we are able to move your pet into that appointment spot.
ā¢ If it is now that time to say your final goodbye to your beloved pet, we will do the best we can to work with you and fit you into the appointment schedule for euthanasia services.
ā¢ As the months move on, we will get even further booked out. There is no way to avoid this with only one full time doctor on staff.
Ways in which you can help us:
ā¢ Call ahead for medication you need and give us until the next day to get that medication filled, then reviewed by me prior to being available for pick up.
ā¢ If you are unable to make your appointment, please give us as much advanced notice as you can so we can get another pet that is in need into that appointment spot.
ā¢ If you do get an appointment for your pet elsewhere, please call ahead for your petās records so that there is time to review the chart for completeness prior to those records being forwarded.
ā¢ If you decide that you would like to transfer your petās care to another veterinary hospital, call ahead to get the appropriate transfer paperwork signed for us to be able to release your petās records in a timely manner.
ā¢ Donāt yell at my staff if we are not able to get your pet in and you are advised to seek care elsewhere. If there is no more flexibility in the schedule for that day, we are not able to see any more patients.
ā¢ Be willing to go to another veterinary hospital or the veterinary emergency hospital if that is what is advised for your petās current condition. We are blessed to have a 24-hour emergency animal hospital available in Traverse City to see more urgent matters.
ā¢ Share this Facebook post so other clients that may not be following us on Facebook will also be aware about the current issues we are facing.
Lastly, I want to thank all the staff that have sacrificed many of their Saturdayās off since June to help me or Dr. Omell complete additional wellness appointments for pets due for rabies vaccines that we would have not been able to completed otherwise. I also greatly appreciate my staff that come in everyday to do this complex job of caring for our clients and their pets. I would not be able to do all the things I am able to complete every day without the help and support of the staff at Manistee Veterinary Hospital.
Take Care,
Dr. Carolyn Brown
