Mt. Pleasant vet takes care of our furry family friends

The Northeast Animal Hospital is a small veterinarian hospital located at 703 E. Winfield Ave in Mt. Pleasant. It is a local business that has been in operation since 2010 by Dr. Travis Van De Berg that handles mostly dog, cats, horses and the occasional exotic animal.

“During COVID we were considered as part of an essential service, so we were allowed to operate just as other business were shut down,” said Van De Berg. “That March of 2020 is when we started the curbside service.”

For the curbside care, the animals are retrieved from the owner and seen in the clinic while the owner remains in their vehicle for the appointment. “We then communicate with the owner over the phone as to the concerns with their pet,” said Van De Berg.

“The efficiency of the service is very good,” said Van De Berg. “But what I like about small town veterinary care is the fact that you get to know and talk to the people. This method takes some of that away. I miss the personal touch.”

One of the largest increases in pet ownership has taken place during COVID-19. Taking care of these recent additions to the family is one of the largest concerns for those in the business of pet care.

“It’s great that people own these pets, but with the shortage of veterinary businesses and staff it is getting harder to find places that will care for these animals,” said Van De Berg. “It’s difficult to provide the emergency care that may be needed at some time. The emergency clinics are swamped and do not always have the space available or the manpower to provide care.”

Seasonal animal care is always a concern once the weather turns colder. There has been an increase in paw and mouth injuries in dogs due to ice melt products.

“Ice melt get very hot on the animal’s paws and then it gets into their mouths,” said Van De Berg. “I have has more incidents this year than what I have normally seen. It is important that owners are aware of this and purchase a pet safe product instead.”

There are several products that are on the market for fleas, ticks and heartworms. It is important that owners are aware of what is out there to take care of their pet and to avoid issues due to pests early on. There are new products on the market, such as chewable tablets, that are easy to dispense and will take care of the pest issues.

“Once the temperatures reach 40 degrees it is important to look at treating your dog and cat for fleas and ticks,” said Van De Berg. “It’s a good idea to have them on medication all year-round around here. There are new medications out there now that make treatment much easier for the owner.”

Contact Michelle Hillestad at michelle.hillestad@southeastiowaunion.com