Vet Stop Animal Hospital of St. Peters does everything it can to keep pets healthy and happy, including wellness care, surgery, radiology, dentistry, diagnostic bloodwork, skin and allergy testing and grooming. And when your pet needs a “home away from home,” they offer boarding and day care. The brand-new lodge features comfortable, temperature-controlled runs, and a large outdoor exercise area.
Most of the animals they care for are dogs and cats, but they say they do get the occasional bunny, guinea pig and pot-belly pig.
Dr. Rhiannon McKnight, a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, has been with Vet Stop for 26 years, currently serving as Medical Director. She specializes in general surgery, nutrition, veterinary dentistry, and routine preventative medicine. She also volunteers for the Endangered Wolf Sanctuary as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Right now, there are multiple litters of pups that she is caring for there each week.
The other veterinarians at Vet Stop include Dr. Tammy Smith, a graduate of the University of Missouri, who has been with Vet Stop for 25 years. Her interests include preventative and internal medicine and animal behavior. Dr. Michelle Thornberry specializes in preventive care, dentistry, and soft tissue surgery. She says her favorite part of being a veterinarian is providing people with knowledge that they did not have before they brought their pet to see her, and she strives hard to achieve practical solutions for the cases that come to her. Dr Erica Miller is the newest member of the team, and a fourth vet will be joining them shortly.
Dr. McKnight says she loves the medical challenge of veterinary medicine. “But most of all, the human-animal bond. Having some of the same clients for 25 years, they really are like family. I am caring for their pet from the time it’s like eight weeks old through the end of its life.”
She says the most important thing for your pet’s health are annual visits, with routine wellness workups including bloodwork. Heartworm testing and prevention are important since that is on the rise in this area.
In addition, dental health is vital. Brushing your dog’s teeth several times a week is necessary to help prevent heart disease and kidney disease. “At Vet Stop, we have a lot of extra training in dentistry and dental medicine.”
She says the most challenging part of the job is when a pet owner doesn’t realize there’s something seriously wrong with their pet and she has to give that news to them. Her best advice is to not let anything that seems to be bothering your pet go too long.
“If you’re suspicious, make a vet appointment. And, having pet insurance is beneficial, so budget constraints don’t limit your options if they need serious treatment,” she adds.
Vet Stop is opening a second location in New Town in August.
For more information, visit VetStopAnimalClinics.com.