Price Is Not The Only Criterion

For Animal Care

To the Editor:

I would like to make a rebuttal to an article in the March 30 Newtown Bee [“With The Return Of TEAM Mobile Unit, Feral Cat Population May Lessen In The Future”]. There were comparisons made between the cost of spaying and neutering via the TEAM Mobile Unit and local veterinarians. I would like address some of the obvious reasons for our typically higher cost. I would bet most if not all of the below points are done by these clinics.

Our patients are typically considered family members and they expect higher standards of care.            

All of our patients receive blood work to determine any underlying health issues that may increase anesthetic risk.

All of our surgical patients receive intravenous (IV) catheters prior to surgery. This gives us an immediate line for emergency medications in case of an anesthetic complication.

All of our surgical patients are monitored throughout the procedure for blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, expired carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and electrocardiogram (EKG).

All of our surgical patients receive both narcotic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories during and following the surgery.  This helps keep pain to a minimum.

We use higher-grade suture material for every spay and neuter. Less costly materials increase the risk of infection and/or suture reactions.

All of our surgical patients are offered laser surgery, which reduces both inflammation and pain from abdominal surgery.

All surgeries are performed using sterile technique and the surgeon is in full surgical cap and gown. This allows for a lower risk for infection and unnecessary antibiotics.

TEAM Mobile is a nonprofit organization. Clearly most veterinary hospitals are for profit and must provide for benefits and salaries for all of their support staff. We are also not subsidized by donations.

Unlike TEAM Mobile, veterinary hospitals must provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Consider the mortgage and property taxes in Connecticut alone to get some perspective.

Animals recover from surgery in a quiet recovery room under direct nursing care and are not left in their carriers to recover outside a bus.

The costs alone for performing a spay under the above client expectations are over $200. It is impossible to give this level and quality of service at the prices in the article.

I understand that everyone has different financial limitations. My goal is to provide animal care for those that expect the best for their pets. It is helpful to have these low-cost clinics and services available to those with limited funds; however I do think it is unfair to make comparisons only considering price.

J. Chris Mixon, DVM

Newtown Animal Clinic

998 South Main Street, Newtown                                   April 3, 2007