Vet Spotlight: Dr. Talia Gattenuo leans into education via virtual care

Meet Dr. Gattenuo, an exotics and companion animal veterinarian living in Connecticut who treats dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and poultry. She is also a Reiki practitioner for animals and is open to discussing alternative types of medicine with her clients. Her passion lies in both quality of life and end of life care.

“I enjoy educating [clients] and Vetster gives me the opportunity to help people across the country.”

I was born to be a veterinarian! When I was in elementary school and we were asked what we wanted to be when we got older, I would always say “work in veterinary medicine.” I was that kid who picked up lizards and bugs and tried to keep them as pets. My love for animals only grew and flourished as the years went by.

I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless and began volunteering at shelters and adoption days. My very first job was a receptionist at a dog and cat clinic and I worked my way up. I have never wanted to do anything else and now that I am a veterinarian, my passion for animal welfare and surgery has grown tremendously.

I was drawn to exotic animals at a very young age. My parents only allowed us to have exotic animals as pets until I was in middle school. My family raised cockatiels growing up and I was always fascinated by the science of it all. My first job was at a dog and cat only facility and I knew I wanted more diversity before I even went into school. I recognized the real need for exotic animal veterinarians and my passion only grew as my years in veterinary medicine progressed.

I enjoy educating [clients] and Vetster gives me the opportunity to help people across the country. Education on proper care for these specialized creatures is most important, and I truly believe in preventative medicine. I love being able to serve as a voice for these beautiful animals that are sometimes considered “gross” or “less-than” when compared to a dog or cat. My goal is to help build that human-animal bond for these less traditional pets because some of them have intelligence beyond our understanding.

My most memorable case so far involved someone who found an injured robin in their yard. It was an adorable fledgling that on-camera seemed to have an injured wing, and the person who found the injured bird needed advice on how to care for it for the evening. I also helped them find  a rescue near them.

When I get the chance to help people with the animals they least expect to be caring for, it becomes a fun and educational conversation. I love being able to give someone advice that eases their stress while also providing the best care for the animal in need.

My favorite part about using Vetster is that I have the opportunity to help animals nationwide. Being an exotic animal focused veterinarian, I get to be a resource for people all over who may not have a veterinarian close by who’s familiar with such species. I get to educate clients on proper husbandry and the best ways to care for their animals.

I also like being as a resource for behavioral issues. Clients who have animals that are fearful or aggressive can log on to Vetster to discuss their behavior questions without the stress of taking their anxious animal into the clinic. It makes cooperative medicine work more efficiently when we all work together to ensure visits are less stressful.

This can be a great resource to add to a clinic. With Vetster, patients are able to set up conversations that work for both you and them. The platform is also a great resource for clients wanting a second opinion. Being in the clinic for an appointment can be overwhelming with the amount of information provided. Having this forum allows clients to ask immediate questions or concerns when their clinic is busy or closed. It can provide additional peace of mind to clients who may need more support.

If you're interested in being featured in our blog, please contact Jennifer, our Manager of Veterinary Success by emailing jennifer@vetster.com.

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