Animal attraction

WASILLA — Dr. Paul Bailey is one of seven veterinarians at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic marking 25 years of helping Valley animals.

Bailey moved to Alaska a little over a year ago shortly after graduating from Oregon State University’s school of veterinary medicine. Helping sick, injured and ailing animals has been a lifelong pursuit, he said.

“Even since I was little, I’ve been interested in this,” Bailey said. “I kind of always knew I’d be a vet.”

Frontiersman: How much education is required to become a veterinarian?

Bailey: Typically, you have to get an undergraduate degree, which is about four years. Then, you need to go to veterinary school for another four years. It’s much like what (people) doctors do.

F: How do you respond to those who think being a veterinarian is a rung lower on the medical ladder than a doctor who treats people?

B: People can think whatever they think, I guess. We go through vigorous training.

F: What’s the most common misconception people may have about veterinarians?

B: We may talk to (animals), but they usually don’t talk back. It’s not always easy. It can be very stressful. ... Also, not many know there are specific insurances for pets.

F: Does veterinary medicine have specialties like physicians do? What’s yours?

B: Yep. There are board certifications for specialties. There are also general practitioners, like I am.

F: What’s the most common ailment or injury you treat in the Valley?

B: Foreign bodies being ingested. Some dogs like to eat things they shouldn’t, like rocks and balls. Cats will have abscesses if they’ve been in a fight. We see a lot of tumors in older animals.

F: How often are you bitten or scratched? What’s the worst injury you’ve received while treating an animal?

B: The worst was actually before I was a veterinarian. I was at a clinic and got a cat bite that got infected. You learn to read the animals.

F: Tell us about an especially difficult, inspiring or memorable case.

B: One of my first big cases was a dog that had been shot. The bullet went in one side of his belly and out the other. We went in and patched him up. He survived. It could’ve gone pretty badly. And yes, occasionally we will get animals that have been shot.

F: What are some animals people keep as pets that they probably shouldn’t?

B: Any native wildlife species, unless they have the proper licenses. Wolves can be dangerous. They’re wild animals.

F: What regimen of care should pet owners follow to maintain their pets in tip-top shape?

B: At the very least, get once yearly exams. A year is a long time in an animal’s life, so a lot can happen medically. They should have a good quality, complete diet. Of course, keep them up on vaccines and de-worming.

Contact Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.