Story and photo by Brittany Carlson
Assistant editor
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Does your pet need vaccinations, or just a little TLC?   This summer, the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Veterinary Treatment Facility is making it easier for pet owners on post to care for their furry friends with a Walk-In Vaccine Clinic and two Bath Day events.

Walk-In Vaccine Clinic
The Walk-In Vaccine Clinic will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11 at the VTF, located at 2399 Minnesota Ave.

The clinic is designed to eliminate the need for appointments, and to ensure that all pets on post are up-to-date on their required annual vaccines. Pet owners can bring their cat or dog in any time for required vaccinations, heartworm tests and microchip implantation.

“We just allow people to come (in) as they need to. It’s just first-come, first-serve,” said Capt. Chad Brown, veterinarian and clinic officer-in-charge.

The walk-in clinic is the fastest way for animals to be vaccinated on post, Brown said.

“Our goal is to get to where we can get somebody in and back out the door within 15 to 20 minutes, if they only have one pet. If they have more, it’s going to take longer,” he said. 

It also helps pet owners meet Fort Leonard Wood’s animal regulations — and avoid being fined by Animal Control. FLW Regulation 40-4 requires all dogs that come on post to get a rabies, DA2P and Leptospirosis vaccine, as well as a yearly heartworm test and microchip, Brown said.

“It’s extremely important. Rabies is fatal. There are instances of animals and humans surviving, but it’s very slim. So not only is it important to protect your pets, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Brown said.

DA2P vaccinates against Distemper, an often fatal gastrointestinal virus; Adenovirus or Hepatitis, which causes liver and kidney damage; Parvovirus, which attacks the intestines and Parainfluenza virus, which causes an upper respiratory infection.

“Distemper and Parvo are both really nasty, nasty viruses,” Brown said. “Distemper can affect multiple organ systems. Distemper’s one that if they do survive it, they can have problems later. It can cause permanent nervous-system damage. With Parvo it’s severe watery, bloody diarrhea … (it’s) hard for an animal to make it through it.”

“Leptospirosis is a bacteria that’s spread through urine, that’s carried by rodents … and it’s pretty prevalent in this area, and that’s why it’s required,” he added.  

Cats are required to get their rabies shot, as well as the FVRCP, a combination vaccine that covers three diseases: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, an upper respiratory infection; Calicivirus, similar to FVR, and Panleukopenia, the feline version of Distemper.

“A lot of cats tend to get the Rhino(tracheitis), which is an upper respiratory infection — snotty, nasty, eyes weeping, that sort of thing,” Brown said.

Normal fees for vaccinations and tests apply. Pet owners visiting the VTF for the first time should bring their pet’s medical records.  

During the walk-in clinic day, no “sick call” examinations will be performed, except in the case of an emergency.


Bath Day
The VTF will host two Bath Day events for dogs this summer, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 23 and July 28.

“It’s a way to open up the doors on the weekend,” said Pamela Hatch, VTF stray facility kennel manager. “Normally, I have two bath tubs going and I get a whole bunch of (volunteers) that blow dry dogs. It’s fun and it kind of lightens the mood for a vet clinic. We all end up wet by the end of afternoon.”

Hatch plans to host a special Adoption Day at the Stray Animal Facility in conjunction with Bath Day in July.

Normally, adoptions are only possible during the week, but “a lot of people work from 9 to 5 and they can’t get in here when we’re open,” she said. “It’s just to get people aware that … there is a vet clinic here, and that there is a stray facility here.”

In addition, prices for Bath Day are a lot cheaper than taking a pet to a grooming facility, Hatch said.

The cost is $15 for dogs over 50 pounds; $10 for dogs weighing 26-50 pounds, and $8 for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less. A nail trim or ear cleaning costs $5. Cash only.

For more information about the walk-in clinic or bath days, call the VTF at 596.0094.