Dr. Tom Sholseth Mobile Veterinary Service

09/02/2025

“Trigger” is a good girl! Ready to roll!
On the road tomorrow!
thanks

05/02/2025

We’re still snowbound here…..i apologize but we cant risk getting the mobile stuck. If you have an emergency critical medication refill we can get that to you regardless. I expect to be operating as usual next week or sooner. Dont hesitate to call me though.
Thanks
DrTom

31/01/2025

Honestly if ‘hit jobs’ like the fifth estate piece and the subsequent frankenstein ‘pitchforks and torches’ behaviour on facebook continue, there wont be one independent owner and there will be even fewer vets available. And our community should be grateful for every member of our veterinary community- they are all great doctors. Theres not one bad apple that i know of. They cry about your pets, they forgoe family events so they can attend your pets illness….these people are the best of humanity. Quit bullying behaviour, for your pets sake at least.

31/01/2025

after the 5th estate airing i thought id say something. Well, it was incomplete, most of the factual data is correct, the suspicions were mostly wrong, all of my generation vets are retired, corps allowed them to sell out. Vet school classes are now all women who are smarter than men in general and want better life balance compared to my generation who worked all the time and the exit strategy is having a heart attack between vet emergencies... :) . Vets are paid less than your medical doctors and dentists but with harder to get into school criteria..... Its exactly these reasons why most vets dont recommend their children or friends to attempt to go to vet school (its true). Then i thought why not ask the all knowing revolutionary chat gpt artificial intellenge - why is vet med so expensive? This is what chatty had to say..... why is veterinary medicine so expensive?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Veterinary medicine can be expensive for a few reasons, but here are some of the main factors:

Specialized Training & Expertise: Veterinarians undergo years of schooling and training, often similar to that of medical doctors. This includes undergraduate studies, veterinary school, and internships or residencies. The cost of this education is significant, and that expense is passed on to clients.

High Overhead for Practices: Running a veterinary practice requires a lot of equipment, staff, and maintenance. Diagnostic tools, like X-ray machines, ultrasound, or lab testing equipment, are costly. In addition, staff salaries (technicians, office personnel) and utilities all add up.

Emergencies and Specializations: Emergency care or specialized treatments, like surgeries or oncology, can significantly raise the cost. Specialized care often requires advanced equipment and expert knowledge, leading to higher fees.

Medication & Treatments: Medications, vaccines, and treatments for animals can be expensive, particularly if they’re not commonly used for humans, meaning they aren't as widely produced. Sometimes, the cost of the drugs or treatments needed for a pet is higher than for people.

Insurance: Veterinary practices don’t usually have the same reimbursement rates that human hospitals do. Pet insurance can help, but it's not always as widespread or comprehensive as human health insurance.

Business Model: Many vet clinics are small, independently owned businesses that don’t have the same economies of scale as large human medical centers. This can drive up costs because they are not able to negotiate bulk rates for medical supplies.

It’s a combination of training, equipment, expertise, and the overhead of running a practice that drives up costs.

14/08/2024

Cant copy the link, but its easier now, fill out import form

17/07/2024

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets #

Starting August 1, 2024 – CDC's new requirements for dogs travelling to the United States (U.S.) – Interim guidance now available The United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made changes to the import requirements for dogs entering the U.S. These changes will come i...

17/05/2024

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

Animal Importation, importation of animals, importation of animal products, Traveling with Pets

15/01/2024

I want to thank everyone who asked about my hand surgery. It went great (5 weeks ago ) and i had immediate improvement and all healed……it’ll be 2 more weeks before i can do more strenuous exercise like weightlifting etc, but no problem with daily practice tasks! And no more hand pain!

13/01/2024

https://www.petmd.com/cat/seasonal/evr_ct_feral_cats_winter

Street cats, alley cats, wild cats, feral cats, homeless cats … there are a lot of different names we give to these free ranging felines. Most of the time, they take care of themselves, scavenging and hunting for their meals while also depending on the kindnesses of cat lovers, but things can get ...

29/11/2023

well its that time of year where i travel south to earn those continuing education credits required of all BC veterinarians. Itll be interesting, the main focus of the seminar is distinguishing abdominal problems as either medical management or surgical..... Thats a pretty common situation im confronted with in mobile practice. Ill be away from the office until December 7. Oh yeah, it doesnt hurt the conference is where liz and i have many friends and great memories, San Jose Del Cabo, baja......
If anyone needs prescription/diet refills or wants me to schedule and appointment when im back feel free to text or call and leave voicemessages..... 250 816 8387
thanks
DrTom

20/11/2023

https://apnews.com/article/dog-respiratory-illness-oregon-colorado-7495daf374ddb8179593b2276248da75

Veterinary laboratories in several states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs. Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness.

15/10/2023

A little housekeeping: Alison will be going on her long-deserved vacation ( October 23-November 11) after this coming week, so be sure to check your diet and prescription supply so you don't run out! We just completed our 5th year anniversary in mobile practice here on the island and are excited to embark on year 6!

Thanks everyone!