Vet care faces unique challenges in Northern Manitoba

Providing veterinary care in a northern community such as Thompson comes with a unique set of challenges, according to Keri Hudson Reykdal, owner of North of 55 Veterinary Services.

Reykdal said the community has a wide range of veterinary needs, with clients coming from different financial circumstances and having different expectations for the type of care they can access.

“In a big centre, veterinary clinics choose a practice model and attract clients accordingly,” she said, noting that some practices may focus on lower-cost care while others provide more specialized services.

In Thompson, however, she said a veterinary practice has to balance a much broader range of needs within a relatively small market.

The cost of operating a business in the north can also present challenges, she said, including higher staffing costs as veterinary practices compete for employees with major regional employers such as Manitoba Hydro.

Reykdal said there is an opportunity for the community and different levels of government to work together to support access to veterinary care.

She suggested municipal incentives such as tax relief, assistance in finding suitable space for veterinary services or greater support from council could help make it easier for veterinary businesses to establish and operate in the community.

Thompson is approaching another year without regular veterinary services, Reykdal said, with only two veterinarians in Manitoba currently willing to travel to the community to provide some assistance.

Reykdal said she travels to Thompson approximately once a month, primarily serving established clients who understand the limitations of her visits.

When additional appointments are available, she said she tries to accommodate vaccinations and minor emergencies that can be safely handled without additional staff.

However, the limited frequency of her visits restricts the types of cases she can take on.

“I am not able to provide proper care to sick animals when I am not in the community,” she said.

Reykdal said she does not maintain permanent staff in Thompson, and currently does not have access to a registered veterinary technologist to accompany her during her visits.

She said the lack of regular veterinary services can be particularly difficult for residents who do not have the means or ability to travel outside the community for treatment.

“I get emails pretty much daily about animals that I cannot help,” she said.

Reykdal emphasized that pet owners remain responsible for seeking appropriate veterinary care when their animals need it. In the current circumstances, that may mean travelling outside Thompson for treatment rather than allowing an animal to go without care.

Mayor Colleen Smook responded on Facebook, explaining the city is prepared to support efforts to improve access to veterinary services, but believes developing a workable plan will require collaboration among local residents, animal-service organizations and the veterinary community.

Smook said it is not the responsibility of city council to develop the plan itself, but council would support a viable proposal, including advocating to provincial or federal officials when appropriate.

She encouraged the organizations and community members involved in animal welfare to work together on a concrete proposal and bring it forward to municipal and other government officials.

Reykdal added a broader discussion is needed about how veterinary services can be maintained in Thompson.

» Winnipeg Sun