Veterinary Vehicles

Mobile veterinary clinics come in a variety of sizes and styles. You will find vets utilizing everything from a customized van to a full trailer build out to every size in between. The real determining factor in the size of a mobile veterinary clinic is how the unit will be utilized.

For example, in rural areas, a larger mobile vet clinic might be necessary for veterinarians who specialize in large animal care. Conversely, a vet who is simply showing up to locations to provide vaccinations for small household pets might do just fine with a custom van build. 

Additionally, if a mobile vet clinic is going to be utilized for more intensive care, it might need to be outfitted with larger equipment, such as x-ray machines.

A veterinary vehicle can be utilized for surgeries, as long as it is customized to handle the necessary equipment for doing so. If a clinic plans to use a mobile unit for surgeries, the layout will need to be designed to accommodate for this.

In many cases, mobile veterinary clinics are utilized for routine surgeries, such as spaying and neutering household pets. In other situations, a mobile vet might utilize the vehicle for emergency surgeries in rural areas. Regardless, a custom build will ensure that every necessary component is added to the vehicle. Common inclusions for mobile veterinary clinics that will allow for surgery include operating tables, IV equipment, and storage for necessary tools. Additionally, a waiting area that is separate from the operating room can be included for the animal’s owners.

A veterinary vehicle can hold any number of pets. The total amount a mobile unit will carry is dependent upon the layout and build. In some cases, a veterinary vehicle will be designed to allow for the highest number of pets possible. These units will be built with stacked cages and kennels and are usually utilized for the transportation of pets from one location to another.

In other cases, a mobile veterinary clinic will have less room for multiple pets at once and will instead utilize the space for important features such as a check-in area, a waiting room, and an area for pets to be seen. This style is utilized for clinics that act as an extension of a normal veterinary office. Additionally, the size of the vehicle will play a factor in how many animals can comfortably and safely be held in the clinic at once.

Veterinary vehicles are utilized for an array of reasons, including the following: 

• Spay and neuter clinics: In many cases, mobile vets will travel to pet stores and other parking lots to offer weekly or monthly spay and neuter clinics to encourage responsible pet ownership.
• Vaccinations: Another way to encourage public safety, mobile vet clinics will travel from area to area offering vaccination opportunities for pet owners. 
• Specialty care: If some animals do not handle trips to a vet office well, a mobile clinic can offer specialized care for these animals. 
• Large animal care: Livestock veterinarians will often utilize mobile units to reach their clients in the field. 
• Rural vet care: For those who live in remote locations, a mobile vet clinic offers a chance to receive medical care for pets that might otherwise not have a chance to see a veterinarian. 
• Low-cost clinics: In many cases, a mobile vet unit will be utilized to offer low-cost clinics for pet owners who cannot afford traditional services.

Yes, both public and private organizations buy veterinary vehicles. Both organization types can benefit from the use of a mobile clinic. In the case of public purchase, a veterinary vehicle is often utilized to offer low or no-cost clinics. These mobile vet vehicles will travel around cities or rural areas offering vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and microchipping at lowered costs. Additionally, public organizations might utilize these vehicles for enforcing city regulations or capturing loose animals.

In the case of private organizations, mobile vet clinics often act as an extension of a physical location. This allows a veterinarian to expand their services without the high overhead cost of an entirely new location build. Instead, the mobile clinic can travel from location to location, allowing a vet to offer their services across a much larger area without opening individual offices in each place.