How traditional large animal practices are evolving to meet the demand from clients for more small animal care is evident in the Tipperary-based O’Connor Julian veterinary partnership.
Recently, a move from the original premises on Cashel’s main street to a new site close to the main Dublin-Cork motorway has transformed the experience for farmers and small animal owners accessing the new veterinary facilities in south Tipperary.
What was traditionally a two-vet practice with one assistant is now a five-person team with four full-time vet nurses and one part-time vet nurse.
Brothers Derry and Patsy O’Connor are known across Ireland for their veterinary service for over 50 years. In 2007, Derry’s son Michael came to work in the practice having graduated from UCD, and in 2009, together with vet Tom Julian who was already well established within the practice, formed a new partnership.
Around the same time, given their office location in the main street in Cashel, pressure came on existing facilities in terms of storage and parking availability for clients. A plan to relocate was developed, a two-year planning process was completed and in December 2014 a new site was purchased on the outskirts of Cashel.
Conack Construction Ltd started building in December 2015 and, nine months later, new state-of-the-art facilities were up and running.
Michael O’Connor says: “The intention from the start was that if this project was going to happen, then we were going to do it right. So, from planning all the way through, our aim was to achieve the highest accredited status from Veterinary Ireland, called ‘‘Hospital’’ status. Thankfully, we have achieved that goal and met the standards.”
Significantly, in 2010, the new partnership joined an umbrella organisation for vets called XLVets, and Michael maintains that involvement has kept the practice focused and relevant.
What drove change?
Michael explained that new live vaccines require proper storage facilities, along with all other pharmacy-type products. A more extensive paper trail requires more administration space and more business means more waiting room facilities, etc.
On the subject of how the small animal part of the business has grown down through the years, Michael says: “In fairness, Derry started it years ago and got involved with treating greyhounds, etc. Since then, standards and expectations from clients have increased considerably and we have had to up our game.”
The O’Connor Julian vet partnership now has five vets – Patsy, Derry and Michael O’Connor; Tom Julian; and Emma Corbett Coffey, who recently joined as a fifth vet in the practice.
It is fair to say that the large animal practice is still the mainstay of this Cashel-based practice and, given its geographical location, clients are based far and near.
Horses and greyhounds (track and coursing) are in abundance in the hinterland around south Tipperary, so first-opinion work on sick foals, routine horse work, orthopaedic work on large dogs, fracture repairs and cruciate surgery are all part of everyday work. An expanding dairy herd in the locality is the mainstay of the practice.
What to look out for
Michael explains that while the weather was extremely mild in October, they had a lot of small animals presenting with external parasites, such as fleas, mange and mites. He says: “The cold weather and frost will clear this but then you need to be aware of pets indoors and the problems that heat can create.” He explains that central heating can cause skin allergies and dermatological problems which can be managed with routine parasitic management for internal and external parasites. The proper feed with good quality protein sources are important. Michael stressed that overfeeding and overweight pets can lead to osteoporosis problems, a tendency for diabetes and other metabolic problems.
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Caring for man’s best friend – some helpful tips
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How traditional large animal practices are evolving to meet the demand from clients for more small animal care is evident in the Tipperary-based O’Connor Julian veterinary partnership.
Recently, a move from the original premises on Cashel’s main street to a new site close to the main Dublin-Cork motorway has transformed the experience for farmers and small animal owners accessing the new veterinary facilities in south Tipperary.
What was traditionally a two-vet practice with one assistant is now a five-person team with four full-time vet nurses and one part-time vet nurse.
Brothers Derry and Patsy O’Connor are known across Ireland for their veterinary service for over 50 years. In 2007, Derry’s son Michael came to work in the practice having graduated from UCD, and in 2009, together with vet Tom Julian who was already well established within the practice, formed a new partnership.
Around the same time, given their office location in the main street in Cashel, pressure came on existing facilities in terms of storage and parking availability for clients. A plan to relocate was developed, a two-year planning process was completed and in December 2014 a new site was purchased on the outskirts of Cashel.
Conack Construction Ltd started building in December 2015 and, nine months later, new state-of-the-art facilities were up and running.
Michael O’Connor says: “The intention from the start was that if this project was going to happen, then we were going to do it right. So, from planning all the way through, our aim was to achieve the highest accredited status from Veterinary Ireland, called ‘‘Hospital’’ status. Thankfully, we have achieved that goal and met the standards.”
Significantly, in 2010, the new partnership joined an umbrella organisation for vets called XLVets, and Michael maintains that involvement has kept the practice focused and relevant.
What drove change?
Michael explained that new live vaccines require proper storage facilities, along with all other pharmacy-type products. A more extensive paper trail requires more administration space and more business means more waiting room facilities, etc.
On the subject of how the small animal part of the business has grown down through the years, Michael says: “In fairness, Derry started it years ago and got involved with treating greyhounds, etc. Since then, standards and expectations from clients have increased considerably and we have had to up our game.”
The O’Connor Julian vet partnership now has five vets – Patsy, Derry and Michael O’Connor; Tom Julian; and Emma Corbett Coffey, who recently joined as a fifth vet in the practice.
It is fair to say that the large animal practice is still the mainstay of this Cashel-based practice and, given its geographical location, clients are based far and near.
Horses and greyhounds (track and coursing) are in abundance in the hinterland around south Tipperary, so first-opinion work on sick foals, routine horse work, orthopaedic work on large dogs, fracture repairs and cruciate surgery are all part of everyday work. An expanding dairy herd in the locality is the mainstay of the practice.
What to look out for
Michael explains that while the weather was extremely mild in October, they had a lot of small animals presenting with external parasites, such as fleas, mange and mites. He says: “The cold weather and frost will clear this but then you need to be aware of pets indoors and the problems that heat can create.” He explains that central heating can cause skin allergies and dermatological problems which can be managed with routine parasitic management for internal and external parasites. The proper feed with good quality protein sources are important. Michael stressed that overfeeding and overweight pets can lead to osteoporosis problems, a tendency for diabetes and other metabolic problems.
Read more
Caring for man’s best friend – some helpful tips
Take a walk on the wild side
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