MILROY, Ind. – A long-established veterinary practice in Indiana is beginning to make even more of a name for itself in the treatment of large farm animals thanks to a major expansion.

Jackman’s Animal Clinic, in Milroy since 1979, recently opened a newly constructed separate building more than twice the size of the original mixed animal facility. The original facility is now strictly for the treatment of small animals. 

Dr. Bob Jackman said the new state-of-the-art operation measuring 6,200 square feet is for treating cows and other large farm animals.

He said it’s not uncommon for a large animal treatment facility to exist at privately owned veterinary clinics west of the Mississippi River due to the larger number of cattle. They’re more difficult to find, though, elsewhere in the nation.

“In our area, I don’t know of any other one within 150 miles of us,” he said.

Jackman said demand caused by fewer veterinarians wanting to treat cows, horses, pigs, goats and other large animals created the need for the expansion and extending his customer service radius to 80 miles.

The new building is about 300 yards from the original clinic founded by his father, Bob Jackman Sr., who no longer practices but helps with management-related decisions.

The clinic has always serviced large and small animals, but the expansion provides not just more space, but the latest in technology along with additional services unable to be offered previously.

Jackman said the expanded clinic now has the ability for trucks and trailers to drive inside and unload animals once the large entrance doors have been shut to avoid potential escape.

There’s also a hydraulic squeeze chute tilting animals on their sides for work that needs to be performed on their feet and other procedures, such as hernia surgery.

In addition, there are separate treatment rooms now for each species ranging from cows, pigs and goats to alpacas.

Also new is inpatient care with stalls inside and outside for animals needing to stay overnight or longer for further treatment or observation.

“That’s a big enhancement I did not have before,” he said.

Jackman said the new building also features the large animal restraints that were once in the original clinic to keep animals from becoming too much of a safety threat to themselves and the medical staff.

He said the new facility will reduce the need to make so many house calls, which he continues to offer, because of what’s available now in-house.

Jackman cited the amount of time saved on a recent check of the reproductive abilities of two bulls transported to the clinic as an example of the efficiencies the expansion has made possible.

“If I had to drive to this guy’s place, it would have been one hour, 45 minutes at a minimum to do what we did. I did both of those bulls in about 15 minutes, and it saved him time, too,” he said.

Also added to the practice was an artificial intelligence enhanced microscope allowing what the lens is seeing to be shown live on an LED screen to help owners better understand what’s happening with their animals.

Jackman said he expects the new facility, which he described as comparable to what’s found at universities, to create more teaching opportunities for youth members of 4-H on up to veterinary students in college.

Already, Jackman said two college interns this spring and three others later this year have signed up to further their education and obtain some real-life experience at the clinic.

“The interest is going to be there,” he said.

He said the new facility is also drawing interest from companies interested in contracting services for invitro fertilization of cattle since there are no facilities like his in closer proximity.

Jackman, has been a veterinarian for nearly 30 years.