Veterinary medicine, at the college level, was launched in the 1760s in Lyon, France, by Claude Bourgelat, who founded the first veterinary school. We know, however, that humans have been caring for animals for thousands of years. In the beginning, veterinarians traveled from farm to farm as the primary mode of animal treatment. This form of mobile veterinary practice was the standard of care until the early to mid-20th century. As the demand for small animal care grew, so did the presence of brick-and-mortar clinics. A building may have been the natural progression in veterinary medicine, but it also resulted in a separation into large and small animal focused care. The pet-loving public began to expect dedicated, expert care from their small and large animal veterinarians.
Current mobile specialty status
Mobile neurology and neurosurgery are currently rare, but mobile specialty practice is not new in other specialty colleges. Advances in information technology, including internet speed and access, increased online collaboration, and changes in communication tools, make clinical practice more accessible for mobile specialists, most notably, cardiology, radiology, surgery, and internal medicine. Mobile veterinary neurology has lagged behind these other specialties due to the logistical challenge of accessing advanced imaging, a need for specialized surgical equipment, and often, intensive post-operative care.
What if those needs could be met another way? Space sharing at 24-hour hospitals can offer operating suites for advanced surgical pursuits. Outpatient MRI at facilities with existing MRI machines can be a mutually beneficial situation for the brick-and-mortar hospital and the mobile specialist. For example, increased use of a machine ensures it becomes, or remains, affordable for the brick-and-mortar hospital, and access to imaging allows mobile neurologist the opportunity to provide diagnostic imaging for clients wishing an outpatient-type MRI option.
Remote scanning of veterinary patients can provide a cost-effective way to delegate MRI operational functions to technicians outside of the brick-and-mortar hospital staff, thus reducing the need for specialized technician training or hiring. In some areas, mobile veterinary imaging is available on "as needed" basis.1
