Barb: This is my personal observation and commentary on the absence of emergency veterinarian services in the Iron Mountain area. This summer we were visiting in the Iron Mountain area from central Texas. Our dog became ill with obvious symptoms of a urinary tract infection. We were 100% unsuccessful finding a concerned veterinary clinic in the area to help us, because we were not “regular patients” of any clinic in the area. It became apparent to me that the veterinary clinics were more concerned about ensuring their 5 p.m. closing time than to attend to an animal in distress. The lack of available service in the Iron Mountain area resulted in a 2.5-hour drive to an emergency clinic in Appleton, Wis., with a resulting $800 in charges, with about six hours sitting in the clinic. That’s more than 12 hours, including the time spent on the telephone trying to find a compassionate local clinic. All of that to treat a relatively common ailment that could have been easily treated locally with an antibiotic.

Thanks a lot, Iron Mountain, for a (NOT SO) memorable visit to your area.