In a recent interview, veterinarian Shawn Nicholson discusses his experience as a mixed animal veterinarian in Stewart, Iowa. He introduces himself as a veterinarian who specializes in treating both large and small animals and shares that his favorite animals to work on are cows and cats. He explains that while he loves both cats and dogs, he prefers being around cats more.
Nicholson’s veterinary practice has two locations in Stewart and Anita, Iowa, and he has a partner in each location. In Stewart, they have five veterinarians, three full-time and two part-time, and in Anita, his partner and another associate veterinarian are full-time. They primarily work with beef cow-calf producers, but also treat goats, sheep, horses, and show pigs. They also occasionally see unique breeds of pigs, llamas, and alpacas.
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One of the challenges they face is a shortage of large animal veterinarians, which means they often receive calls from people they have not seen before. They try to help these clients as much as possible and establish a good client relationship, but the shortage can be frustrating. They also have to navigate public perception and the demand for reduced antibiotic usage in animals. Nicholson explains that they only use antibiotics when necessary and have to follow specific regulations and guidelines to prevent antibiotic resistance.
One technological advancement that Nicholson has embraced is the use of ultrasound for reproduction and carcass measurements in cattle. He explains that they use ultrasound to measure back fat, rib eye area, and other parameters to determine the quality of meat in beef cattle. This allows them to select animals with better meat quality and provide valuable information to their clients who raise bulls and heifers for sale.
Looking to the future, Nicholson mentions the use of electronic forms of identification, such as radio frequency ID tags, in cattle. These tags not only provide identification but also allow for better traceability and record-keeping. Another topic he addresses is the use of telemedicine in veterinary practice, which has become increasingly important due to the travel distances veterinarians have to cover. Telemedicine allows him to provide remote diagnosis and treatment recommendations to clients through texts, emails, and video chats.
Nicholson encourages young people interested in veterinary medicine to consider mixed animal practice as it offers variety, opportunities to work with both animals and people, and a good job market. He emphasizes the importance of being able to relate to clients and understand their relationships with their animals. He also advises not to enter the field solely for the love of animals but to enjoy the science, medicine, and problem-solving aspects of the profession.