Lakeshore News

Mound vet makes house calls in a M.A.S.H. unit
Reprinted from Lakeshore Weekly News, Wayzata, MN

If you see a large white Ford van with "M.A.S.H. Mobile Animal Surgical Unit" on its sides, it's Dr. Henry Philmon of Mound making a house call to one of his many four-footed patients in the Lake Minnetonka area.

"I had seen this concept in California," he explained as we drove to his first afternoon visit, an elderly golden retriever in Minnetonka. "But I've never seen it in this detail before," and he indicated the holding cages, X-ray, dental and anesthetic equipment, the air conditioner, tub and surgical table, all of which was custom built to his specifications by Dodgen Company.

Cathy and Glen Chaffin were busy digging a triangular flower bed into a circular bed when Dr. Philmon eased the vehicle into their driveway, and fourteen-year old Nugget, who had been dozing in the cool of the house, came out to greet her vet, tail wagging.

"It's so much nicer for Nugget to have him coming to her," said Cathy. "It used to be a struggle, but this is so much more comfortable for the animal. Any way I can, I will keep her fro getting traumatized," she said of the slightly stiff, gray-muzzled retriever.

Dr. Philmon has taken care of Nugget since he sprayed her 13 years ago. The Chaffins helped the dog up the steps into the van, and Dr. Philmon let her sniff around to get her bearings. He then weighed her, lifted her to the examination table, did her annual physical and clipped her claws.

He pronounced her well and gave the Chaffins some feeding advice. Glen congratulated him on the new mobile clinic, and Dr. Philmon set off for his next appointment with a six-year-old appointment with a six-year-old black Labrador called Amos, whose knee Dr. Philmon operated on the day before.

He has had this van just 15 days, and he said the service he offers is ideal for elderly people with pets, and for those with large, immobile or extremely nervous animals. Ann Hofkin of Long Lake has many cats, and she loves the convenience of home calls and Dr. Philmon's gentle manner.

He explained that he specializes in dental care, but when the surgery is major enough to warrant critical care, as it was for Amos, he doesn't operate in the van; he transports the patient to the Flying Cloud Animal Clinic, operates, leaves the animal there to be supervised overnight and returns it to its home when it is sufficiently recovered. He said he enjoys working this way. "It's not a numbers game," he explained. "I share a can of pop, and get a good relationship going."

As Dr. Phillmon stepped from the van at Darlene Holt's house, Andy, the Holte's healthy Labrador wags a greeting in obvious recognition of a friend. Inside, the 130 lb. Amos stretched in the center of the living room like a large, glossy seal, his left hind leg shaved and bandaged.

He attempted to greet Dr. Philmon but was obviously quite uncomfortable from the previous day's surgery. Together, the vet and Darlene placed a towel sling under the dog's abdomen and helped him outside, discussing this fluid intake and a regimen for pain control. They worked like a team, which is not surprising since Dr. Philmon has been taking care of the Holte's pets for the last 17 years.

Stroking Amos' head, Darlene said, "He'll soon be well with all the tender loving care Dr. Philmon gives him. I'd recommend him to anyone - to the Clintons if they had a dog."