Previous Story
Govt vet clinic raises animal vaccination fee
|
Posted on Mar 20 2009
The government-run veterinarian clinic in As Perdido has increased the animal vaccination fee by $1—or from $5 to $6—according to Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz.
Dela Cruz, who is also the only government veterinarian in the CNMI, said the minimal fee increase is a result of the increased cost of animal vaccines.
The clinic also increased the price of heartworm preventive medicine by $1 to $2. “The prices keep coming up,” Dela Cruz told Saipan Tribune.
Despite the fee increase, the fees charged at the government veterinary clinic are still very low compared to private practices.
But the charge for treatment of dog skin disease of up to $5 per visit remains the same.
The DLNR veterinary clinic opens only twice a month; the most recent one was on Wednesday. The number of clients is 15 to 30 per clinic day.
Residents who want to know the next schedule for the veterinary clinic should call 234-6169 or 234-6180 and look for Ray Ngeskebei.
The lone government veterinarian said it is important for pet owners to bring their pets because a lot of animal diseases like hookworms and roundworms can infect people, especially toddlers.
“It’s rare that it happens but visiting a veterinary clinic is a preventive measure and to make sure animals are healthy,” Dela Cruz added.
