12/29/2020
As someone who mans the phones and talks to numerous clients in a week, I feel I need to put some helpful advice out there. I love animals, all of them (well, maybe snakes not so much) and I am tempted to take in any critter that needs help, but one thing I have learned is to do my research. It hurts my heart to have to tell a client that a doctor is unavailable or doesn’t treat a particular type of animal. I know the panic and desperation one feels when their fur, feather or scale baby is sick. That said, I strongly urge folks to do a little digging before they take in an animal in which they have very little experience.
For example:
- Pigs are adorable however, there are not a lot of veterinarians that treat them. They also don’t stay as small as people think and their upkeep can be costly.
- Goats are equally adorable, but are not as hearty as they are rumored to be. They do get sick and as with pigs, not a lot of veterinarians treat them.
- Cattle may require special equipment (chutes come to mind).
- Chickens, which have become quite popular in recent years, actually require and veterinarian that specializes in birds in most cases (Avian).
- Reptiles also require a veterinarian with specialized training (Exotic).
- Breeding horses (esp artificial insemination) is not for the faint of heart…it can be very expensive and plenty can go wrong.
- Miniature Horses can colic just like their larger counterparts, but treatment can be more difficult.
Those are just a few examples.
That same research applies dog and cats. Some dogs and cats are predisposed to certain diseases, so knowing what to look for can be the difference between catching something early or heartbreak. Some breeds are gorgeous, but need a lot of patience and work. Some breeds are high energy, some have no energy at all. It is always best to know what you are getting into!
Lastly…location, location, location. As many are leaving the area, whether it be for a different address within California or in another part of the US, I strongly suggest researching veterinarians in the part of the country you plan to move. If you have farm animals, will a mobile vet come to the area you have chosen? If you have small animals, what are the veterinary clinics like and how close are they to your future home? Is there an emergency hospital nearby? Oh, and remember that if crossing state lines…you will need a health certificate and for horses and donkeys a coggins test (allow 4-5 days for results), goats may need scrapies. As every state has different requirements, a good resource for info is www.aphis.usda.gov.
Animals offer love, joy and are great teachers of responsibility, but as with anything worthwhile…it pays to do one’s homework.
