Primary Care
The Primary Care Service is a full-service veterinary clinic within the Veterinary Medical Center. We provide routine annual examinations that address all pillars of preventive care, evaluations for acute illness, and ongoing management of chronic diseases for dogs and cats. We also offer a variety of procedures, including dental prophylaxis, spay and neuter surgeries, mass removals, and other general practice surgical services.
Our goal is to build lasting relationships with both clients and patients through thoughtfully tailored appointments based on each patient’s individual needs, low-stress handling techniques, and shared decision-making. Through cooperative communication our team develops a personalized care plan for every patient.
Our service includes five primary care faculty veterinarians who are directly involved in patient care while also overseeing valuable clinical training opportunities for our fourth-year veterinary students. Students gain hands-on experience similar to that found in a primary care private practice setting.
Services
We take a team approach to each case with our clinicians, senior veterinary students, and staff all working together to offer your pet the best care possible.
Primary Care Services include:
- Annual examinations and preventative care including vaccinations, parasite control, nutrition evaluation, oral health, and behavior recommendations
- Puppy and kitten evaluations
- Treatment for outpatient illnesses and injury
- Weight management and diet consultations
- Outpatient surgeries such as spays, neuters, small mass removals, and gastropexy.
- Dental prophylaxis to include extractions
- Cryotherapy
- Basic behavior consultations and training
- Sedated annual exams for patients experiencing high levels of clinic stress
- Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese Medicine modality, to address both acute and chronic conditions
- Cold Laser (Class IV) Therapy for a variety of acute and chronic conditions
What to expect
Upon arrival, you and your pet will be met by one of our senior veterinary students and/or technician who will gather your pet's medical history. The student will then consult with one of our clinicians who is in charge of your pet's medical care. Both the clinician and student will conduct a thorough physical exam. After assessment, we will discuss a complete care plan and together determine the best next steps for your pet and family.
Our team approach ensures that your pet receives the highest-quality care possible, however it also means that your appointment may take longer than it would at a traditional primary care clinic. Please plan to spend 45-90 minutes for an appointment.
This list of common Primary Care costs is provided only for general information, and not as an estimate for your pet, specifically.
Professional Associations
Low-stress Handling Techniques and Cat Friendly Practice:
Our Primary Care team is trained in low-stress handling techniques for dogs and cats. The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center is proud to be an American Association of Feline Practitioners Cat Friendly Practice®.
AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices in the United States and Canada. Practices that accept the challenge of accreditation are evaluated on stringent quality standards that encompass all aspects of veterinary medicine—from pain management and patient care to team training and medical recordkeeping—and are continuously updated to keep accredited practice teams at the forefront of the profession.
Today, only 12%–15% of veterinary practices in the US and Canada hold the “AAHA-accredited” designation. We are proud to be one of them.
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