Any Veterinarians Want to Relocate to Montana?

[Oldtimer]

I was just listening to the local news-- and the neighboring town, Wolf Point (50 miles away) has been without a Veterinarian for so long that a local community group has taken up a collection- and will build and furnish a new clinic and corrals to the vets specs, if any agree to relocate there....Then charge them a reasonable rent...

Sure would cut the load off the local guys here that spend a lot of time over there...Scobey (150 miles away) already brings in a Canadian (3 or 4 from a Canadian Clinic switch off spending a week or two at a time) to keep their Clinic open...

 

[rockridgecattle]

That's just got to kill you, having a canadian vet, probably from Alberta helping your area out. Mind you what better way to show that we Canadian ranchers know just as much, and treat our animals just as well as you do!

 

[feelnrite]

That's just got to kill you, having a canadian vet, probably from Alberta helping your area out. Mind you what better way to show that we Canadian ranchers know just as much, and treat our animals just as well as you do!

What is the deal with you Canadians? I was just on another talk board and there was one mouthing off. Are you all smart a$$es? Just wondering.

 

[I luv herfrds]

It's not only hard to find a large animal vet, but also a good one. We have a great one out here now without a clinic, but I'm not too sure I want to send him your way. Too many people love him. They would murder me if I did that.

 

[Ned Jr.]

The vet I like to use the most worked in Glasgow Montana for years before he came here. You can't have him back though. He's a very good vet. I bet you guys need to get more small animals so they can make a better living up there.

What ever happened with the proposed trich regulations in Montana? Did they ever settle on something? Here in Colorado they had some crazy ideas on what to do for awhile. They thought about making everyone test all their bulls 3 times. I'm partnered on a few bulls and we just have to have them tested before they cross the state line, both ways. So they get tested twice a year. The state requires it before they will give health papers on none virgin bulls. The bulls don't seem to mind it that bad. They seem to forgive and forget. When you take a bull to the sale barn they ask if you want him tested. None virgin bulls have to be tested to sell a breeders otherwise they are supposed to go to the killers. The problem with all this is some of the people that have trich will be the last ones to take care of the problem. They just live with it.

I hope I'm not hijacking your thread Oldtimer. I'm just curious what's happened.

 

[Alan]

The vet I like to use the most worked in Glasgow Montana for years before he came here. You can't have him back though. He's a very good vet. I bet you guys need to get more small animals so they can make a better living up there.

That's were the Vet industry has gone, a lot more money in small animals and horses. Bovine practice just doesn't pay for all the headaches that go with it. ie; "I need you to preg check these 15 cows..... a working pen?... chute? never needed one before" "$75 just to show up!! .... is it just about the money with you vets!" I know any good rancher has a working system. If I need a vet for my cattle or horses I haul to them.

Plus how many Vets have ever been crippled up by a French Poodle?

Yea I'm on the Vets side on this one

Alan

 

[Oldtimer]

We had a lot of vets come and go here for awhile...Both clinics must be hard to work for or something :roll:

They are requiring trich testing on all bulls 24 months or over, and all nonvirgin bulls- on a change of ownership (except those going to slaughter)or for a health to go out of state....If just on one bull they require 3 tests with quarantine in between-- but I think they allowed if you test your whole herd of bulls and all are clean, then they require only one test....

Anything 23 months or younger, with a signed affidavit that they are virgins can be sold without testing....

Kind of put a crimp in some of the Hereford breeders style- as many of them don't sell bulls until they are 2 year olds...They are about the only ones I've heard complain-- as most know that all the neighboring states have put in similar laws to try and rid the country of Trich......Going to stop some of these little guys with a small farm herd from trading back and forth- and slow down some of the outfits leasing bulls......

I usually sell bulls when they are 3 and never keep one past 4 just because of the higher danger of STD's....

 

[I luv herfrds]

Alan our vet was charging $100.00 to preg check the entire herd with mileage. A better deal then what the clinic was charging.
We do everything we can to make it safe for our vet to work our cattle. He still gets calls to come treat animals right to the Canadian line.

 

[Alan]

Alan our vet was charging $100.00 to preg check the entire herd with mileage. A better deal then what the clinic was charging.
We do everything we can to make it safe for our vet to work our cattle. He still gets calls to come treat animals right to the Canadian line.

This is the point I'm talking about, and it is not a knock or an argument about you... so don't even answer this question. But this is how I think a Vet would think, how many is your herd? How far do I have to travel to get to your herd at $3 per gallon, then get home? Will the cattle be caught up? Will they be in a working Chute? How long will this take? How many "extra" please take a look at this will there be? All for $100. The Vet makes a lot more money giving Spot a shot in the comfort of the office.

Alan

 

[Oldtimer]

I understand that the large animal Vet shortage is getting so bad that the powers to be are looking at different programs to loosen up/shorten the training period/testing requirements for folks just certified in large animals-- and the use of more "Techs" that are trained in handling the everyday care of large animals, vaccinations, castratrions, prescriptions, health inspections, preg testing, C-sections and such....Now I know of several ranchers that can handle all this (and are better than a lot of vets)-but by law cannot charge for their services or order the drugs sometimes needed unless they have a friendly vet....

Altho- I've also heard that many Vets are opposing this idea as some of this stuff like preg testing, bull testing, and bangs vaccinating is their bread and butter work....

 

[milkmaid]

I was talking with a vet just yesterday who'd heard about the offer the folks at Wolf Point had made. His opinion... the deal sounds nice, but anyone who takes them up on it would be on call 24/7, they'd basically have sold their life to the town, and it's a great deal for the town and a bum deal for the vet.

He's got a valid point there.

 

[Jogeephus]

I was talking with a vet just yesterday who'd heard about the offer the folks at Wolf Point had made. His opinion... the deal sounds nice, but anyone who takes them up on it would be on call 24/7, they'd basically have sold their life to the town, and it's a great deal for the town and a bum deal for the vet.

He's got a valid point there.

He's right. I can here Elmo right now complaining that HE gave him the vet clinic and the VET owes him and his goat immediate service at 3:00 a.m.

I worked large animal with my dad for years and I can understand why many want to work on poodles. On the same note, if they don't want to work large animal, they need to get off the backs of those folks who are willing to do it but do not have a license. My dad never complained about these guys as long as they were good. After all, how many ways are there to pull a calf? Sorry, I'll step down now.

 

[Oldtimer]

I was talking with a vet just yesterday who'd heard about the offer the folks at Wolf Point had made. His opinion... the deal sounds nice, but anyone who takes them up on it would be on call 24/7, they'd basically have sold their life to the town, and it's a great deal for the town and a bum deal for the vet.

He's got a valid point there.

Well thats kind of one of the negatives about living in small town USA-- but its being done in many of these small populace areas all the time...One doctor for a county or two (7,000+ square mile area)-one vet for 3-4 country area-- many a time I was the only lawman in the county for a county of 5,000+ square miles(twice as big as the state of Delaware)...Just like with ranching, you learn to work when there is work to be done- and rest and play when there isn't...I always thought the positives of the rural life/community more than made up for the drawbacks....

But I imagine that may be the reason many are not going into the avocation- I know it is the reason that many go small animals, to get rid of the being on call...

 

[I luv herfrds]

Alan I'll answer it honestly to your questions.
Ok. He lives 10 miles from us and charges between $2.50-$2.75 a mile. we don't mind paying it because we know the cost of fuel. We pay it too. No poke at you intended.
Second he knows which guy at each place and who has working corrals with chutes and who has a place that is a vets worst nightmare. I'm sure he charges them more.
Sewing up a prolapsed cow cost us less then $100.00 with mileage.
When he started up after his falling out with the clinic he was trying to get things that he needed to run his vet practice. He was asking if I had clippers for the planned c-section on my milk cow. Well I guess I needed to time my surprise for him a little better because everybody was home and I got caught. I had gone into town and bought him a brand new set of cordless battery powered clippers. I had planned to leave them on his door step and slip away. Didn't work.
Did I expect any special treatment after that? No. I just hated the thought of our area losing one of the best vets we have had in this area for over 10 years. If it means I pay a little more for his services then so be it.

I'm not out to start an argument with you either Alan. I know vets need to make a living just like everybody else. The hard part is finding the large animal ones. I admit I think twice before calling him at 3am. If we can't handle it ourselves then we call.

Oh we are running close to 60 head of cows right now.

 

[preston39]

There are good VET TECHS around in most communities.

We know of a RN candidate,,age 23 who was raised on a farm with animals and is good. A local herdsman association paid for an attorney to produce a... "Hold Harlmess"... document which she has anyone sign...when wanting her servies as an animal care assistant.

She has become an added compliment to large animal care needs in that community while paying for her college. The local vets know her and offers tutoring when she calls them.

How many have contacted their State legislators for an exception to license requirements in hard pressed/remote areas?

Should that not be done?

What is wrong with it?

The vets I know considers inadequate facilities as the worst nightmare involved with large animal care...house calls. After hour calls ..at the office...are just as prominant with small animal practices.

 

[Alan]

Alan I'll answer it honestly to your questions.
Ok. He lives 10 miles from us and charges between $2.50-$2.75 a mile. we don't mind paying it because we know the cost of fuel. We pay it too. No poke at you intended.
Second he knows which guy at each place and who has working corrals with chutes and who has a place that is a vets worst nightmare. I'm sure he charges them more.
Sewing up a prolapsed cow cost us less then $100.00 with mileage.
When he started up after his falling out with the clinic he was trying to get things that he needed to run his vet practice. He was asking if I had clippers for the planned c-section on my milk cow. Well I guess I needed to time my surprise for him a little better because everybody was home and I got caught. I had gone into town and bought him a brand new set of cordless battery powered clippers. I had planned to leave them on his door step and slip away. Didn't work.
Did I expect any special treatment after that? No. I just hated the thought of our area losing one of the best vets we have had in this area for over 10 years. If it means I pay a little more for his services then so be it.

I'm not out to start an argument with you either Alan. I know vets need to make a living just like everybody else. The hard part is finding the large animal ones. I admit I think twice before calling him at 3am. If we can't handle it ourselves then we call.

Oh we are running close to 60 head of cows right now.

No offense taken, I understand that you are one of the ones that understand what a Vet goes through. I have been on some ride alongs that was just rude and beyound belief. The Vet had much more patience with the folks then I would have. Things like I need you to treat that cow there... the white face as he's pointing to a herd of 8 cows in a 20 acre pasture. Or, I need you to geld this horse.... but you'll have to get the halter on him, he tries to bite me and kicks at me every time I try. Lots of people don't have a clue.... lots do.

Take care, I would like to see some of your pics when loaded.
Alan

 

[milkmaid]

I was talking with a vet just yesterday who'd heard about the offer the folks at Wolf Point had made. His opinion... the deal sounds nice, but anyone who takes them up on it would be on call 24/7, they'd basically have sold their life to the town, and it's a great deal for the town and a bum deal for the vet.

He's got a valid point there.

Well thats kind of one of the negatives about living in small town USA-- but its being done in many of these small populace areas all the time...One doctor for a county or two (7,000+ square mile area)-one vet for 3-4 country area-- many a time I was the only lawman in the county for a county of 5,000+ square miles(twice as big as the state of Delaware)...Just like with ranching, you learn to work when there is work to be done- and rest and play when there isn't...I always thought the positives of the rural life/community more than made up for the drawbacks....

But I imagine that may be the reason many are not going into the avocation- I know it is the reason that many go small animals, to get rid of the being on call...

I don't have a problem with the being on call 24/7... it's the thought of having a committee potentially telling me what to charge and what I can and cannot do. The "we brought you here, so you have to do what we tell you." It's just a loaded situation and the whole deal could either be the best thing in the world for vet and town, or it could become one of those horror stories.

 

[KS Cattle]

The fact that a lot cattle producers are buying their medicine through a catalog or the internet probably doesn't help either.

 

[Oldtimer]

I was talking with a vet just yesterday who'd heard about the offer the folks at Wolf Point had made. His opinion... the deal sounds nice, but anyone who takes them up on it would be on call 24/7, they'd basically have sold their life to the town, and it's a great deal for the town and a bum deal for the vet.

He's got a valid point there.

Well thats kind of one of the negatives about living in small town USA-- but its being done in many of these small populace areas all the time...One doctor for a county or two (7,000+ square mile area)-one vet for 3-4 country area-- many a time I was the only lawman in the county for a county of 5,000+ square miles(twice as big as the state of Delaware)...Just like with ranching, you learn to work when there is work to be done- and rest and play when there isn't...I always thought the positives of the rural life/community more than made up for the drawbacks....

But I imagine that may be the reason many are not going into the avocation- I know it is the reason that many go small animals, to get rid of the being on call...

I don't have a problem with the being on call 24/7... it's the thought of having a committee potentially telling me what to charge and what I can and cannot do. The "we brought you here, so you have to do what we tell you." It's just a loaded situation and the whole deal could either be the best thing in the world for vet and town, or it could become one of those horror stories.

I don't think that you would run into that situation...Probably just the opposite...Folks are usually so happy to get a good Vet or Doctor in the community-that they bend over backwards to keep them- that you have everyone trying to marry you off to a local girl/guy--making you a deal on house/land to rent or buy- inviting you for dinner-- and even if you just run out to the place to do a 30 minute health inspection they'll have cake or cookies ready for you--whatever you don't eat there you have to take with you...

I think you would be much more your own boss than if you were working for a clinic with set hours and stuff...And so many things here are already co-op or community owned-- like the Clinic and Hospital were all built, furnished, and manned by community donated funds--but you don't hear anyone thinking they can run the doctors or the clinic...