Bigfork Veterinary Clinic
Carly Moberg is back home; this time with “DVM” after her name.
After graduating from Bigfork High School, she went on to four years at the University of Minnesota with a focus on veterinary medicine.
Vet school was a given; she had always been interested in treating animals. As a child, said her mom Joni, her favorite series was James Herriot – and she acted as a detective with her own pets’ health issues. Once when faced with an ailing guinea pig, she figured out that it was a vitamin C deficiency and corrected it with diet.
Things didn’t go according to plan. A place at the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine didn’t open up until the second year after graduation in spite of top grades. By that time, she had committed to another school: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts-Nevis Island.
It was a good choice. As well as a Caribbean setting, the accredited school offered lots of opportunities for practical experience on a variety of animals. After Ross, she completed her clinical year at Iowa State University.
Her very first job? At Bigfork Veterinary Clinic with Byron and Ann Sugden.
She then joined the Animal Care Clinic in Hibbing where she practiced for ten years as a small animal vet before purchasing the Sugden practice last fall.
Again, things didn’t go according to plan when she had unexpected health issues. Fortunately, she was able to make a complete recovery, and the clinic opened in late December under new ownership.
Although the practice is not large enough to handle after hours emergencies, it is open Tuesday through Saturday; 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Saturday. For appointments, call (218) 743-3587.
Calls are welcome, said Carly. “If you feel there are any issues with your pet, or don’t know what is going on, call the clinic,” she said. “Some things might not be a big deal. Some are. It’s best to check early, before problems become serious.”
What has she seen in animal disease coming into the area? Blastomycosis is one serious canine fungal illness that has no preventative and can present in many different ways. Humans can also catch it while stirring up spores from the ground, old buildings, etc., but seldom from a pet.
Ticks also are carrying several illnesses, but fortunately there is a Lyme vaccine and tick sprays or preventatives.
Carly has three cats and an Australian Shepherd of her own at home in Effie. When she has downtime, she also likes to make wine from local fruits such as chokecherry or blueberry.
For the future? Her goal is to “make this a really good little clinic,” she said.
