With the average cost of a veterinary office visit exceeding $150 these days, it's no wonder that pet owners are actively seeking out lower cost alternatives to their pets' veterinary care. One popular source for veterinary services at reduced prices is the low cost pet clinic. The popularity of these mobile clinics is growing exponentially across the country for one simple reason: when it comes to veterinary preventive health care and outpatient pet health care challenges, such as skin allergies, ear infections, and minor disease conditions, a low cost pet clinic can save pet owners big money!
Keep in mind that a mobile low cost pet clinic is not the same as a mobile veterinary clinic. The latter usually refers to a house call practice. Veterinary house calls can be pricey; you're paying for convenience (and mileage). On the contrary, low cost pet clinics are cheap because they keep overhead low. They set up shop in parking lots of shopping centers or the back rooms of feed stores. These clinics tend to stay in a location for a day or two and then move on.
Typical low cost pet clinics specialize in one or more of the following areas: vaccinations, parasite control and prevention, spay/neuter, and/or minor outpatient veterinary medical care. When looking for one, be aware that some exclude certain services. For example, many limit their services to vaccines and parasite control and do not offer any outpatient care. It is important to ask ahead of time.
Finding one of these clinics in your area can sometimes be tricky, as they are constantly on the move. Here are several tips to help you locate one.
1. Pick up a free local newspaper and scan the ads for upcoming clinics. Craiglist is another good place to look for low cost pet clinics in your particular city or region.
2. Call a feed store or pet supply retailer in your area and ask them if they hold a low cost pet clinic at their facility. If they don't, they probably can help you find a place that does.
3. Contact your local animal shelter and ask if they know of a clinic in the area. In some cases, they may even hold one from time to time.
4. Google "low cost veterinary" or "low cost pet", followed by the name of your city or town and see what comes up. For example, Mobile Pet Care Clinic of Texas, a company based in San Antonio, TX, has its own website with the date, time, and location of each clinic it conducts.
5. Contact your local State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (or the equivalent agency in your particular state) and ask if they know of an upcoming low cost pet clinic being held in your city or town. Any veterinary practice that is not confined to one location must report the dates, times, and locations of all mobile clinics to these regulatory bodies.
As you can see, it may take a little digging, but you should be able to locate a low cost clinic near you. The effort will be worth it, as it could save you significant amounts of money. A low cost pet clinic should not replace your regular veterinarian as your pet's primary care provider. However, it can serve as a valuable and economical accessory in your best friend's overall health care arsenal.
Dr. Chris Pinney has over 24 years of experience as a veterinary clinician and surgeon. He has authored numerous books on pet health care and has appeared on a variety of radio talk shows and television programs, including Eye On Pets and Animal Planet. For practical insider advice and tips on how to save real money on your pet's health care, visit Dr. Pinney's website at http://www.veterinaryinsider.com
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