A veterinary clinic is a place where veterinarians, who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases or injuries of animals, offer medical care to pets. Veterinarians may prescribe medications, perform surgeries or offer advice. Some veterinary clinics even feature hospital facilities to house sick pets for extended stays and diagnostic tests.
Success of veterinary clinics depends on several factors, including services offered and client satisfaction. Some veterinary clinics specialize in specific animal species like cats and dogs while others provide generalized pet services. The highest performing clinics typically focus on preventative health care for their clients’ animals through regular vaccinations and examinations – these clinics tend to perform best overall.
Veterinary clinics are an invaluable source of income in their respective communities, employing staff such as veterinary assistants, technicians and receptionists. Many also offer employee benefits like health insurance and retirement options to attract and retain qualified employees.
Veterinarians make significant contributions to human and animal health, but are best known for their work with animals. Research veterinarians at universities, colleges, governmental agencies and industry are discovering new methods of diagnosing and treating animal and human illness through cutting-edge research veterinary practice. Their discoveries have contributed to controlling malaria and yellow fever; creating an anticoagulant used for some heart conditions; as well as pinpointing the source of West Nile virus infections among humans.
Veterinary practices typically specialize in caring for small animals such as dogs, cats and household pets; some veterinary clinics offer specialty practices geared solely toward domesticated or exotic pet species like birds and reptiles. Furthermore, veterinarians employed by universities or industrial laboratories that house laboratory animal facilities often specialize in taking care and maintenance of laboratory animals such as rodents, cattle, felines canines and even some wild species of animal species.
Veterinary surgeons specialize in more than just treating animals; they’re also well versed in surgical procedures and specialize in performing various forms of procedures such as spay/neuter procedures as well as more complex operations like joint replacement surgeries or major reconstructive operations. Furthermore, surgeon-trained veterinarians possess advanced anesthesia techniques and pain management tactics.
Some veterinary clinics fail to itemize the charges associated with services they offer, leading to sticker shock and disappointed customers. With more people opting out of health insurance plans altogether, it is imperative that all veterinary clinics remain transparent when it comes to pricing policies and practices.
United States of America boasts more than 32,000 veterinary clinics, most owned and operated independently or franchised. Most veterinary clinics operate Monday-Friday 8am-5pm but some provide extended hours or weekend emergency care services for their clients.