Veterinary Medicine West

For pet owners, livestock producers, and animal caretakers across the Mid-Missouri region, the **Veterinary Health Center (VHC)**—located on the campus often referenced as **Veterinary Medicine West**—stands as a premier regional resource for advanced animal health. This facility is the clinical arm of the University of Missouri (MU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and represents the pinnacle of **Veterinary Care** that blends cutting-edge research, hands-on clinical training, and compassionate, expert service.

Unlike a standard local clinic, the VHC is a multifaceted institution where the next generation of veterinarians receives training from faculty who are often leaders in their specialized fields. This integration of education, research, and service means that pets, horses, and farm animals benefit from the latest diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols available in veterinary medicine, from routine wellness checks to complex specialty procedures like reconstructive surgery and advanced orthopedics.

The core mission, as defined by the faculty and staff of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, is to improve the health and well-being of all animals and people through instruction, innovative research, and service. For Missouri residents, this translates into access to **Specialized Disciplines** of veterinary medicine that are often unavailable at general practices, providing a critical safety net for complex, chronic, or emergency animal health issues. In choosing the VHC, clients not only secure top-tier care but also contribute directly to the advancement of animal health knowledge globally.

The **Veterinary Health Center** is centrally located on the University of Missouri's campus in Columbia, Missouri, serving as a primary point of care for both small and large animals in the heart of the state. Its academic setting on Rollins Street underscores its role as an educational and clinical hub.

• The primary location is **1520 Rollins St, Columbia, MO 65201, USA**. This address is often associated with the main facilities of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Accessibility is a priority for all clients, including those with limited mobility. The facility features a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, designated **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**, and an accessible **Wheelchair accessible restroom**.
• The campus includes the facilities of the **Large Animal Ambulatory Service**, which operates fully stocked trucks that travel out to local farms to diagnose and treat the medical and surgical needs of livestock and horses, extending the reach of expert care throughout the region.
• General amenities include an on-site **Restroom** for client convenience during visits and consultations.

The Veterinary Health Center provides a vast and comprehensive array of services, spanning routine preventative care up to the most advanced specialty and emergency medical intervention.

• **General and Wellness Care:** Includes routine **Preventative Health Care**, physical examinations, **Vaccinations**, and care for all stages of life, including **Puppy and kitten care** and **Senior Pet Care**.
• **Advanced Diagnostics and Imaging:** Full access to sophisticated diagnostic tools, including **Radiology**, ultrasound, and advanced imaging modalities like CT and nuclear medicine, facilitating rapid and accurate diagnosis.
• **Emergency and Critical Care:** Offers round-the-clock, **24-hour emergency services** for both **Small Animal** and large animal patients, staffed by specialized critical care teams prepared for life-saving interventions.
• **Specialized Medicine:** Provides in-depth expertise in numerous clinical specialties, such as internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, and **Oncology** (cancer diagnosis and treatment).
• **Surgery:** Offers a wide spectrum of surgical services, including routine procedures like spays and neuters, complex **Soft Tissue Surgery**, and specialized procedures in areas like **Orthopedics** (including **Comparative Orthopedics**), reconstructive surgery, and **Microvascular Surgery**.
• **Specialized Dentistry:** Comprehensive veterinary dental care, from routine cleanings to advanced procedures like **Oral Surgery**.
• **Exotic and Zoological Medicine:** Expertise in the care and husbandry of a wide range of species beyond dogs and cats, including **Exotic Pets**, wildlife, and zoo animals.
• **Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Services:** Advanced treatments like **Therapy Laser** for pain management and wound healing, as well as full **Rehabilitation** and sports medicine services to restore mobility and function.
• **Large Animal Services:** Comprehensive care for horses, cattle, and other livestock through dedicated large animal facilities and the **Large Animal Ambulatory Service** for on-site farm calls.
• **Pharmaceutical Services:** An on-site pharmacy to compound and dispense necessary medications, ensuring convenient and tailored treatment plans for every patient.

The unique nature of being a leading teaching hospital provides the VHC with unmatched features that benefit the Missouri animal community.

• **Academic and Research-Driven Care:** Care is overseen and provided by DVM candidates, interns, residents, and board-certified specialists who are actively involved in research, meaning patients receive treatment based on the most current scientific knowledge and **Medical Advances**.
• **Breadth of Specialty Services:** The availability of over 20 advanced veterinary specialties in a single location—from **Oncology** and **Neurology** to **Ophthalmology** and **Theriogenology** (reproduction)—makes it a destination for animals with complex and rare conditions.
• **Cutting-Edge Technology:** As a university teaching hospital, the VHC is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology, including advanced CT, nuclear medicine, and innovative surgical tools often used for complex procedures like **Reconstructive Surgery**.
• **Support for All Animals:** The hospital’s structure provides dedicated, expert care for small companion animals, specialized care for **Exotic, Wildlife, and Zoological Species**, and crucial field services for Missouri’s large animal and agricultural community via the **Large Animal Ambulatory** unit.
• **Commitment to Discovery:** Faculty and clinicians actively engage in **Clinical Trials** and research projects, which can offer pet owners access to innovative, cutting-edge therapies that are often unavailable in standard practice settings.
• **High Ethical Standards:** The core values of **Respect**, **Discovery**, **Excellence**, and **Responsibility** guide every aspect of patient care and client communication, ensuring an ethical and transparent experience.

As a major health center, the facility can be reached through the main contact for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

• **Address:** 1520 Rollins St, Columbia, MO 65201, USA
• **Primary Phone (College of Veterinary Medicine):** (573) 882-3554
• **Emergency Contact:** For after-hours emergencies, the Veterinary Health Center at the University of Missouri should be contacted immediately at their dedicated emergency line (it is best practice to always call before arriving for emergency services).
• **Note:** Clients should verify the direct phone number for specific services (Small Animal, Large Animal, or Emergency) when scheduling or in an urgent situation.

Choosing the **Veterinary Health Center (VHC)** at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine, or **Veterinary Medicine West** as it's known to many, is choosing the most comprehensive and advanced level of **Veterinary Care** available in the Missouri region. This institution provides an unmatched advantage: every pet, from a family cat to a prized horse, is treated within a facility built on a foundation of **Discovery** and **Excellence**, where the standard of care is constantly being advanced through research.

For pet owners facing a complex diagnosis, requiring **Specialized Surgery**, or needing the support of a full **Emergency and Critical Care** center, the VHC’s depth of specialist expertise—including highly focused areas like **Oncology**, advanced **Orthopedics**, and **Microvascular Surgery**—offers hope and superior outcomes. Furthermore, the dedication to training future veterinarians ensures that the staff are not just practitioners, but actively engaged scholars committed to the best possible patient and client experience. For the most demanding and sophisticated animal health needs, the VHC is the definitive, world-class choice for Missouri residents.

Veterinary Medicine West

1520 Rollins St, Columbia, MO 65201, USA