For a while now, some people have been treating their pets like family, dressing them in clothes, hosting birthday parties and — most significantly for the veterinary industry — taking greater lengths to keep dogs and cats healthy into old age.
Here in Richmond, your pet can receive MRI scans, dermatological treatment and even acupuncture. Dr. Courtney Belden of Central Virginia Veterinary & Acupuncture (557-0220 or centralvavet.com) started her mobile practice in January 2011 after working with horses, which have received acupuncture treatments longer than companion animals have. A graduate of St. George's School of Veterinary Medicine in the West Indies, she treats dogs, horses and cats.
"Dogs tend to tolerate it better than horses," Belden says, but cats — here, she giggles — "cats can be a little fractious in nature to begin with."
Many of her patients suffer from soft-tissue pain and neurological conditions, while others have skin allergies; for pets receiving cancer treatments, acupuncture can help ease painful side effects, she says.
Working with horses, Belden became used to making house calls, a practice she continues now. The first appointment includes a full physical exam, and depending on the animal's diagnosis, Belden will schedule acupuncture appointments. Often, a pet will see her a couple of times a week for three weeks and then taper off to once a week. Two dogs she sees get acupuncture once a month to keep up their general health.
In addition to acupuncture, Belden specializes in preventive health measures and at-home euthanasia, which she says is difficult for many vets to provide because it would require an absence from their clinics.
Dr. Erin Dexter, founder of Capital Home Veterinary Care (432-2534 or capitalhome
vetcare.com), also makes home visits. A graduate of Michigan State University's veterinary-medicine program, Dexter started her mobile service in 2007. Her van — which she proudly says gets 20 miles to a gallon — allows her to do blood work and every other kind of veterinary treatment, with the exception of surgery and dental care requiring sedation. For that, she has an agreement with a Chesterfield clinic that rents her space.
Based in Powhatan, Dexter drives to homes in Chesterfield, Richmond, western Henrico and Ashland; she'll visit patients outside that service area, but it may cost a bit more to account for the extra milage, she says. Most house calls cost $50 and include a full physical exam.
Before founding her practice, Dexter worked at small clinics, typically spending only six to eight minutes with each client. Some clinics even use timers, she says. Today, she has only six or seven appointments a day. "It's one-on-one," Dexter notes, and she has developed close relationships with both pets and people as a result.
Like Belden, Dexter provides in-home euthanasia, which gives many clients peace of mind. Her animal patients have a range of issues, from being nervous car-riders to living with elderly owners who may no longer have driver's licenses. Aggressive cats and large, geriatric dogs that have difficulty getting into a vehicle also see Dexter.
Beyond home visits from vets, Richmond has a new facility for veterinary speciathe exception of surgery and dental care requiring sedation. For that, she has an agreement with a Chesterfield clinic that rents her space.
Based in Powhatan, Dexter drives to homes in Chesterfield, Richmond, western Henrico and Ashland; she'll visit patients outside that service area, but it may cost a bit more to account for the extra milage, she says. Most house calls cost $50 and include a full physical exam.
Before founding her practice, Dexter worked at small clinics, typically spending only six to eight minutes with each client. Some clinics even use timers, she says. Today, she has only six or seven appointments a day. "It's one-on-one," Dexter notes, and she has developed close relationships with both pets and people as a result.
Like Belden, Dexter provides in-home euthanasia, which gives many clients peace of mind. Her animal patients have a range of issues, from being nervous car-riders to living with elderly owners who may no longer have driver's licenses. Aggressive cats and large, geriatric dogs that have difficulty getting into a vehicle also see Dexter.
Beyond home visits from vets, Richmond has a new facility for veterinary specialties, the Dogwood Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center (716-4700 or dvesc.com). Dogwood opened in November and offers 24-hour emergency care, plus specialists in dermatology, cardiology, neurology and oncology. With a referral, your pet can get an on-site MRI test, too. The surgery rooms see a lot of traffic, about a dozen animals a day.
Chris Hall, the center's director of communication, says many of the practices within the facility allow clients to pay over an extended period if they can't make the payment right away. The building — the site of the former S&K store at 5918 W. Broad St. — is impressive, with a large waiting room (big enough to keep your kitten away from dogs) decorated with photo portraits of animals and exam rooms equipped with cushy dog beds.
"It's built by veterinarians, and [they] took what they loved and what they hated into the design," Hall says. "It's a little bit of a different animal.
