Tufts Veterinary Field Service

For large animal owners across Connecticut, particularly those managing horses, livestock, or even unique companion animals like potbelly pigs, specialized veterinary care is not just a convenience, but a necessity. Tufts Veterinary Field Service (TVFS), located in Woodstock, CT, stands as a unique and invaluable resource in this realm. As an ambulatory large animal veterinary practice, TVFS brings expert care directly to farms and facilities throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, distinguishing itself from typical small animal clinics.

What makes Tufts Veterinary Field Service truly exceptional is its dual mission: providing top-tier clinical service and actively teaching aspiring veterinary students from the renowned Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. This integration of practice and education ensures that the care provided is at the forefront of veterinary science, while also nurturing the next generation of large animal practitioners. They are equipped to handle primary and emergency veterinary care on-farm, covering a wide array of species critical to the agricultural and equestrian communities.

The dedication of the Tufts Veterinary Field Service team often goes beyond typical expectations. One grateful client shared a compelling story of their potbelly pig, experiencing severe pain and being turned away by numerous vets who offered only euthanasia. "Finally, I came across Tufts, which is over an hour away from me, and they were immediately willing to help. I took my pig in later that day and they were so beyond kind to her. They let me know she has arthritis and gave me a prescription and recommendations to make her more comfortable at home." This testimonial powerfully illustrates their compassionate and problem-solving approach, even for less common large animal patients, and their commitment to finding solutions for animals in distress. While an acknowledged challenge from another review pointed to some "unprofessional, unreasonable and combative" interactions with office staff regarding billing, the consistent positive feedback on the veterinary care itself, particularly for animals with complex needs, highlights the strength of their medical team and their profound impact on animal welfare.

As an ambulatory practice, TVFS is designed to be highly accessible by traveling directly to farms, stables, and other facilities where large animals are housed. This eliminates the logistical challenges and stress of transporting large or ill animals to a fixed clinic. For cases requiring more intensive care, they also offer "haul-in services" at their Woodstock clinic, equipped with stocks. Furthermore, for complete inpatient medical and surgical care, easy referral is available to Tufts Hospital for Large Animals in Grafton, MA, ensuring a seamless continuum of care for more complex cases. This multi-faceted approach to accessibility caters specifically to the unique needs of large animal owners in the region.

• Primary Veterinary Care:
  • Preventative Medicine: Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and parasite control programs tailored to large animal species.
  • Herd Health Management: For commercial, hobby, and companion livestock, focusing on population-based preventive medical practices.
  • Diagnostics: Utilizing portable digital radiography (X-rays), diagnostic ultrasound, and in-house blood chemistry analysis on farm.
  • Field Surgery: Performing various surgical procedures suitable for on-farm settings.
  • Pain Management: Strategies to alleviate pain and improve comfort for large animals.
• Emergency Veterinary Care: Providing on-farm emergency services for clients within their wide service radius.
• Specialized Reproductive Services (Theriogenology):
  • Advanced Reproductive Technologies: Faculty trained in various assisted reproductive technologies for current and new clients.
  • Breeding Soundness Exams: For both male and female animals.
  • Pregnancy Diagnosis: Utilizing advanced techniques like transrectal ultrasound.
  • Management of Reproductive Issues: Addressing fertility and breeding challenges in livestock and horses.
• Species Expertise: TVFS provides care for a diverse range of large animals, including:
  • Horses: Focusing on preventative medicine, lameness, internal medicine, field surgery, and reproduction.
  • Cattle: Specializing in dairy production medicine, providing primary care for both beef and dairy cattle on farms of all sizes.
  • Pigs: Including unique cases like potbelly pigs.
  • Small Ruminants: Sheep and Goats.
  • Camelids: Llamas and Alpacas.
• Haul-In Services: For cases requiring a more controlled environment or specific equipment, animals can be brought to the clinic in Woodstock, which has stocks.
• Referral Services: Easy referral access to the Tufts Hospital for Large Animals in Grafton, MA, for complete inpatient medical and surgical care.

• Ambulatory Practice Model: Their core strength is bringing veterinary care directly to the animals on farms and other locations, which is indispensable for large animal owners and reduces stress for the animals.
• Part of a World-Renowned University System: As a clinical and teaching unit of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, TVFS benefits from and contributes to leading-edge veterinary research and education.
• Expertise in Diverse Large Animal Species: They provide care for a wide range of animals including horses, dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs (including potbellies), small ruminants (sheep and goats), llamas, and alpacas, showcasing broad large animal veterinary knowledge.
• Highly Compassionate Veterinary Staff: Reviews consistently praise the veterinarians for being "so beyond kind" and for "taking such good care" of their patients, even in challenging or unusual cases.
• Specialization in Reproductive Services: They offer advanced reproductive technologies and services for livestock and horses, with specialized faculty members.
• Advanced Portable Equipment: Equipped with portable digital radiography, diagnostic ultrasound, 3-meter endoscopy, and Lameness Locator® for on-farm diagnostics and procedures.
• Commitment to Finding Solutions: Demonstrates a proactive approach to difficult cases, as seen in the instance of the potbelly pig where other vets offered only euthanasia.
• Teaching Mission: Actively involved in developing veterinary students' knowledge of large animal medicine, contributing to the future of the profession. This means students are often involved in the care, under close supervision of faculty.

Address: 149 New Sweden Rd, Woodstock, CT 06281, USA

Phone: (860) 974-2780

Mobile Phone: +1 860-974-2780

Tufts Veterinary Field Service

149 New Sweden Rd, Woodstock, CT 06281, USA