Youngstown, Ohio (WKBN) – It’s important to keep pets healthy with routine checkups and vaccines, but the cost of regular vet checkups can be overwhelming. That’s why Youngstown State University offers an affordable one-day clinic for the community.
Vet bills can add up quickly, so to alleviate some of that burden, the Marjorie Hartman Family Foundation Animal Clinic has offered a low-cost vaccine clinic to help the community. It also offers students the opportunity to receive hands-on experience with veterinary procedures alongside a licensed veterinarian.
“Students gain experience in restraints, blood draws, vaccine administrations, taking vitals, taking temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate,” said Donald Crum, registered veterinary technician.
Everything from rabies shots to heart worm tests and microchip placement has been proposed.
In fact, in Mahoning County, it is required by law to vaccinate your pet against rabies. Crum insists that vaccines help prevent the spread of preventable diseases.
“In this area a few years ago, we saw an increase in distemper,” Crum said. “When we had the, what was called “zombie raccons”. They were infected with the distemper virus which is a disease that animals, cats and dogs can get.”
He also pointed out the importance of spaying and neutering your pet, especially at a time when many local shelters are at capacity and overloaded, because it helps contain the population of domestic animals in the area.
