“She’s a beaut! But is the cargo space big enough for a dead Mastiff? Alright-y then. Wrap her up, she’s mine!”
Coarse though it sounds, that’s the reality of selecting a car for some veterinarians. Gas mileage, crash test results and comfort? Like everyone else, that’s where we start. But just ask Gina over at PetConnection . She knows there’s a whole lot more to take into consideration when you’re seeking a vet-friendly “Dogmobile.”
General practitioners like me willing to run off at lunch and do house calls generally need “Vetmobiles.” A small SUV will usually do it, though a covered pick-up is probably even better (if you can live with its substandard gas mileage).
Just don’t forget the rubber cargo mats and the anything-but-cloth seats.
That’s because most suburban small animal vets aren’t doing house calls on mostly well pets. In fact, the vast majority of mine are euthanasias. Because big dogs who can no longer walk comprise the bulk of these, it’s inevitable that we’d need space, glorious space to transport their remains back to the hospital.
Until last year when I bought my four year-old Lexus RX-300 (fancy, no?) I’d been trucking them around in the back seat of my 1994 Lexus sedan. This is not recommended, by the way, as the seats are sufficiently tilted so that any stray bodily fluids accumulate in the impossible-to-reach dead zone between the back seats and the trunk. Yuck!
It was inevitable that I’d need an upgrade after that smelly mess of a car (which I got all of $500 for on my trade-in).
But now I’m besieged by pangs of guilt over the fabulousness of my “new” car. It didn’t help to hear that one of my colleagues had recently been berated for charging too much only to fund her “BMW lifestyle.” For the record, her BMW is a small, five year-old wagon (the cheapest kind money can lease). Nonetheless, it hurt to have her choices thrust in her face by an irate client.
“Am I so undeserving of my choice of luxuries just because I work with animals?”
Considering the $150,000 Porsche that sits front-and-center at my son’s orthodontist’s office (which no one begrudges him) it seems wrong to feel any guilt whatsoever over our sub-$20K car choices—especially when we have to include vet-necessary upgrades we’ll not be reimbursed by our hospitals for (not in our case, anyway).
So it is that later today when I take this small beast of mine across the state to pick up my new goatling, I promise you the guilt over having a fancy car will all but evaporate as I fill my cargo space with the sweet aroma of caprine manure. Mmmmm…now that’s a vetmobile!
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They joke around here that many people advertise their used car as "first hand- from an MD", as if the car is going to be in a better shape.
However, after reading this post, I'm *definitely* not going to get a used car from a vet:
"the seats are sufficiently tilted so that any stray bodily fluids accumulate in the impossible-to-reach dead zone between the back seats and the trunk"
Ewwwwww. No second hand vet cars for me! ;-)
Xslf March 1st, 2008 09:19:00 AM
I really resent the idea that vets cannot have nice things as a result of all the hard work and years of schooling. That we have to If someone says that to me when I practice, I'm going to have to say, "Let me get this straight. You want me to charge less so that I cannot have nice things, so you can pay less here so that.... you can have nice things?"
But to make you feel better, I've heard many people complain how their kids braces are putting their orthodontist's kids through private school and paying for Porsches.
Julia March 1st, 2008 11:12:00 AM
Julia: I have to admit to being a tad resentful at being reminded about the money every time I see my orthodontist's car. But he works his a$$ off and runs the most efficient facility I've ever seen. Sure, it can grate when it's in your face like that but personal rewards for exceptional work and sacrifice are understandable.
At some point compansation does get out of hand and the question of merit will inevitably come up, butI'd hope everyone would look to the CEOs the lawyers and the finance types before they come complaining about my way-less-than-average-for-my-edcation income.
Dr. Patty Khuly March 1st, 2008 11:39:00 AM
I would like to recommend the PT Cruiser as a vetmobile.
Mine gets about 30 miles to the gallon (it is apparently considered a truck for these purposes, and I do mostly highway driving) However, it also has aback gate and the back seats will fold down and then flip up against the front one. If that is not enough room, the back seats can also come out of the car (and be temporarily stowed in a run) You still have room for a passenger.
While mine has a cloth interior, we use a stretcher for our deceased patients, and I've learned to tuck an incontinence pad under the appropriate areas. There is room for a passenger up front. The car is funky cool to look at and not overly spendy (mine's a 2002 version, and they were really popular then, the price has come down since) Mine's red and has a sunroof and its fun to drive. I've thought that if I ever wanted a housecall practice, a Bowie box could go right in the back section easily and still hide.
drsteggy March 1st, 2008 11:44:00 AM
Congrats on your goatie!
So, how does one person muscle the limp body of a big dog from a house or apartment into a car. Do you use a cart of some kind? Or do you rely on one of the owners helping?
M March 1st, 2008 08:26:00 PM
M: Mostly, we use a stretcher and techs to help with big dogs. On after hours emergency euthanasias, we let our clients know they'll have to help us. When family can't, neighbors have often come to the rescue. Back at work, if it's after hours, I ask anyone nearby to help me unload (the practice is in a populated spot) and so far I've never been turned down.
Dr. Patty Khuly March 1st, 2008 09:35:00 PM
My local Animal Control Center has an RV they use to do free spays/neuters a couple times a year. The name on the side, in huge letters, I swear this is true, is the "Neuter Scooter" !
You can see it here: http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/SpayNeuter/Scooter.as...
Good thing dogs can't read!
Larry March 2nd, 2008 01:06:00 AM
Congrats on the new goat. I'm anxiously awaiting pictures. If I lived nearby I'd offer to pet sit. The best job I ever had was socializing the baby pygmy goats while my neighbors went on vacation.
Juli March 2nd, 2008 02:18:00 PM
I've also had to consider job requirements a priority in vehicle selection, whether a new or "new-to-me" car. Lots of cargo space, and a 4-door wagon fits the bill and turned out ideal for doggie transport to events and activities! My big splurge on my present new-to-me car was opting for a 6-cylinder, so I no longer feel like Freddie Flinstone driving up long steep hills.
I admit to sheer envy over one of my co-workers that has her beat-up jeep for delivery and rolls in during the summer in the most gorgeous restored classic Jaguar----hmmm, I wonder if people think she's worth a few bucks---not so, her boyfriend is a classic car restorer that turns beasts into beauty. Another co-worker, also driving a beat-up jeep bought a beautiful restored T-Bird from her, for next to little$$$$.
Best wishes enjoying your new car, Dr. Khuly!
Barbara A. Albright March 2nd, 2008 08:47:00 PM
Dear Sir / Madam
We are looking to purchase 2 Mobile Equine Veterinary Clinics, i.e vehicles [ may be a van or mini-truck or pick-up ] fitted with necessary clinical and diagnostic equipments , for specialty treatment to Horses . [ Either new or used vehicles ]
The van or mini-truck should be sufficient for a Veterinary doctor, and a pharmacist (if necessary) besides the driver to travel to locations in and around Riyadh City . The vehicles shall also have space for storage of minimum essential medicines, besides equipments. The vehicle can be front-wheel driving type.
We have an equine population of around 1500 horses in and around Riyadh and there is a racing ground and few equine ranches and the vehicles shall be driven to the competition arena and first-hand treatment shall be provided at the site.
We would like to receive a brief details of the vehicle make and size and the list of equipments that would be fitted, with details thereof, a brief sketch of the interior layout of the van and the CIF Jeddah price by seafreight.
If the vehicle and the equipments and prices are acceptable, we shall import 2 such vehicles. (vans or mini-truck). You may also provide details if any alternative type of vehicle is available. Please forward catalogue of the equipments also.
If you need to send any courier of the catalogue , you may send to our postal address and mentioning my mobile number and name. You may send pdf files of the catalogues, if possible.
We shall be in a better position to discuss once we get some data.
We are looking at the following portable diagnostic equipments
Digital Portable Radiography unit
Portable Ultrasound unit
Portable Laser Unit
Portable Endoscopy 1M
Gastoscopy 3M
Portable clinical blood analyzer
Artificial insemination facility
We request you to kindly advise the type of vehicle , equipments (if you have any variations) and a quote on CIF Jeddah port for 2 such mobile veterinary clinic vehicles.
With warm regards
Dr Ramesh Kumar
Ozone World Company
Business development Director
Tel: +966-1-4979599
Fax:+966-1-4979600
Mobile: +966-55-7856218
E.Mail: kumar@ozoneworld.net
Our Address: P.O.Box 28445, Riyadh-11437
Saudi Arabia.
Physical Location: 4, Al-Watani Center, Behind Panda HyperMarket, Near Exit-14, Qurais Road, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
CAN SOMEONE HELP WHERE I CAN FIND SUCH VEHICLE IN USA FOR IMPORT INTO SAUDI ARABIA
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