More vets are providing creatures comfort

Dr. Robert Tucker, co-owner of Concord Animal Hospital, has witnessed firsthand the evolution of veterinary medicine from a profession that catered mostly to large farm animals to one that now focuses on the care of household pets.

"Today, a veterinarian is expected to be a general practitioner as well as a specialist in some disciplines, such as orthopedics, dermatology, and internal medicine," Tucker, 62, said last week after removing a few tumors from a dog.

While the consolidation of practices is a continuing phenomenon, the number of veterinarians in the suburbs is still plentiful, Tucker noted. "There probably are 10 veterinarians within 10 miles of Concord who weren't around 10 or 15 years ago."

As a result, competition is rife, he said. "You survive on the recommendations of existing clients."

Fortunately, he said, the Tucker name is well known in Concord and surrounding towns. His father, Edgar, who died in 1994, had a Concord practice with the late Dr. Alden Russell from 1941 to 1948 and from 1953 to 1972. The West Concord facility was opened in 1953.

"So, from that perspective, I believe we have the oldest practice" in the region, said Tucker, who joined his father in 1970.

In 2003, the only year for which data are available, there were 478 animal hospitals in Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Agricultural Resources. It is estimated that there are more than 50 animal hospitals currently in the northwest suburbs.

The number of veterinarians statewide rose from 1,462 in 1986 to 2,592 in 2006, the state's veterinary medicine registration board reported.

"Animals are living longer just as humans are, and that means that veterinarians are offering a lot of services" similar to what medical doctors are providing, said Susan Weinstein, executive director of the 1,000-member Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, based in Marlborough.

"Pets are increasingly valued members of families, and their owners are willing to go to greater lengths to make sure that they are taken care of, regardless of illness or condition," added Dr. Carol Cookingham, co-owner of Lowell's Linwood Animal Hospital, which has been in business since 1948.

Tucker agreed that pet owners are more discerning than ever. "Our clients are able to understand what's plaguing their dog or cat and let us pursue whatever's necessary to solve the problem."

Dr. James Fisher, 58, of Concord, the other owner of the hospital, said, "Many clients often see the same vet here year after year." Other veterinarians on staff are Dr. Bradford Hardie, 52, of Boxborough, and Dr. Catherine Czaya, 27, of Jamaica Plain. All four received their veterinary training at Cornell University.

In addition, there is an office staff of 12, including technicians and receptionists.

Tucker began prepping for the profession at age 15, when he was assigned to cleaning out animal cages. Early on his father cared mostly for large farm animals, but the practice changed as the number of area farms began to decline dramatically over the last three decades.

Tucker gave up caring for large animals in 1974, when his car, containing basic equipment for those animals, was stolen at the Burlington Mall.

Also in the '70s, he received a most unusual call for help. "A carnival was being held in Maynard, and one of its elephants came down with diarrhea. Before giving the elephant something, I had to guess at its weight."

Today, the practice is devoted 100 percent to small animals, mostly dogs and cats, Tucker said. "Many of the families we see have several pets." Some 2,500 dogs and 2,500 cats are treated every year, he said.

Because many clients don't have animal health insurance, "We try to charge what's reasonable," he said, pointing out that fees range from less than $50 for a routine office visit to more than $1,000 for a major procedure.

"None of us is getting rich here," he said. The practice's gross annual fees are more than $1 million, he said, declining to be specific.

Then there's the considerable investment in equipment, including a $21,000 radiology machine, a $25,000 ultrasound, and special instruments for orthopedics. Fisher noted that an orthopedic screw costs between $12 and $16.

Animals that require complicated procedures are referred to facilities such as Tufts University in Grafton, or Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, Tucker said.

"However, specialists in disciplines such as ophthalmology and cardiology visit our offices frequently," he said.

At home, Tucker and Fisher have their own animals to look after.

A sled-dog racing aficionado, Tucker has 20 Siberian huskies and four black Labradors on his Concord property. Their progeny "have raced all over the world," he said, calling himself " a sprint racer" who enters 10- to 20-mile events in New England on winter weekends. When there is snow, that is.

Fisher has 15 horses, chickens, and other barnyard animals.

Both said they will continue to practice as long as they are physically and mentally capable.

"Ideally, we'd like to sell the practice to one of our other veterinarians and then work part time," Tucker said.