Erica Chauvet DMV, Big Sandy's veterinarian, has a new clinic.
This building was an old house on the Chauvet's ranch. The new clinic is located at the first tan house on the left, but Erica told me, "we built an apartment on one half and a new clinic in the other half." She is asking clients to use the deck entrance because the back half is a private entrance. "It's nice to have a bright, fresh, clean space." She now has a designated exam area, surgery space, lab, kennel area, pharmacy, office, reception area, and storage. Before in her old clinic, basically everything was in one room.
Calving calls and C-sections will still be in the previous location over in the calving barn.
The emergency this calving season is probably about average, but the weather has sure been nicer this year. Erica noticed some ranchers seem to have delayed calving a little this year.
She does not have an in-house blood machine, but she works with labs, so she gets the results within one or two days allowing her to make a diagnosis. She does have an ultrasound she can use, but no x-ray machine. Erica refers those issues to Havre, Fort Benton, or Great Falls.
"One thing I enjoy, over my old facility, is that when I do surgery in the morning, the animals now have their own quiet place to recover. I can do examinations out here (in the examination room), and we aren't all in the same room, disrupting those animals who are recovering from surgery. We can make their environment peaceful and quit so they can improve in their designated kennel area.
Erica has been a veterinarian for 13 years.
She mentioned, "In a larger clinic, there is always someone to talk to." She struggles to be available when she is busy, but by and large, people are understanding.
All her children love animals, but Ellie seems to be the most interested in all animals.
"I appreciate the clients for trusting me. It's something I take seriously. I thank people for letting me take care of their animals."
"Also, I should add that the vet business and the many hats I wear wouldn't be possible without the help of my amazing husband. He pinch-hits for me all the time with kids, meals, etc. when I'm busy with vet calls. And he's great about being my assistant for surgery and appointments that require a second person. He always laughs that he didn't sign up for being a vet tech when he said, "I do," but nevertheless, he's a great sport. And my in-laws are so sweet to help with the kids too, especially with nighttime calving calls. Betty Jo was so willing to help me with painting the new clinic as well. I'm very thankful for all three of them.
She plans on setting an open house for the new clinic shortly.
