Introducing Dr. Jen McQuiston, Your Neighborhood Mobile Veterinarian

Dr. Jen McQuiston brings over two decades experience as a veterinarian to her new house call practice serving Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and nearby areas. Originally trained as a public health veterinarian working tracking dangerous outbreaks, Dr. Jen's recent retirement from CDC has allowed her to move back to her home state of Virginia, and more importantly to return to roots as a practicing veterinarian. With her compassionate and understanding approach for both pets and owners, she is committed to giving every family the attention they deserve.

Preventive Care

Dr. Jen believes that preventive care is crucial in maintaining the overall well-being of pets. By focusing on prevention, Dr. Jen helps pet owners avoid costly treatments down the line and ensures that pets live longer, healthier lives.

Dr. Jen offers:

• Regular Check-ups: Routine examinations help identify potential health issues before they become serious. Dr. Jen recommends annual visits for healthy pets and more frequent visits for those with existing health concerns.

• Vaccinations: Keeping pets up-to-date on vaccinations is essential for preventing diseases. Rabies is spread by wild animals in our area, and Virginia has had a number of rabies cases in 2026! A current rabies vaccine is legally required for all dogs and cats older than 3 months of age in Virginia. In addition, the DAPP vaccine for dogs (which covers distemper and parvo) and the FVRCP vaccine for cats (which covers common upper respiratory viruses) is critical due to how many pets carry these viruses, and how long the pathogens can live in the environment. Leptospirosis and Lyme vaccines are important for pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. If your pet goes to dog parks, grooming, or boarding, a Bordetella vaccine is also a must. Dr. Jen works with you to tailor your pet's vaccination schedule based on lifestyle and risk factors.

  
  

• Flea and Tick Prevention: All pets benefit from regular flea and tick prevention. In Virginia, tick-borne diseases like ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease are common concerns for dogs, and cats can be exposed to a deadly disease called bobcat fever. Dr. Jen can present a range of flea prevention options, from over-the-counter to prescription options.

  
  

• Heartworms: Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites. These deadly worms grow in and damage dogs' hearts, and can create irreversible damage. Heartworm testing and prevention is important for Virginia dogs! Dr Jen offers annual heartworm testing, and is happy to discuss and prescribe monthly prevention options to keep your dogs healthy.

  
  

• Minor illnesses like ear infections, allergies, and arthritis in older animals can be managed by Dr. Jen's mobile practice.

  
  

• And, for serious medical concerns that Dr. Jen cannot address in her house call practice, she will work to connect you to other local veterinarians who can.

  
  

Keeping Costs Down

Dr. Jen believes everyone should have accessible and affordable pet care, and works hard to personalize plans that fit a variety of budgets. Dr. Jen takes the approach of presenting a spectrum of options for pet owners to make decisions that work best for their family. Dr. Jen doesn't mind if you shop around online pharmacies for cost-affordable approaches for pet care, and will authorize prescriptions to Chewy and more. This individualized approach ensures that pets receive the most effective care and cost-conscious care possible.

Client Education

Educating pet owners is a crucial part of Dr. Jen's approach, including:

• Nutrition: Understanding the nutritional needs of pets is essential for their health. Dr. Jen offers guidance on selecting the right diet for each pet. And, she is actively working on trimming down her own chonky cat, with real-life experience in what can work!

  
  

• Importance of Prevention: Understanding why certain vaccines or treatments are important to keep pets healthy. Dr. Jen recommends steps to protect your human family members from zoonotic diseases (which can be spread between animals and people)

  
  

Conclusion

From personalized treatment plans to ongoing education, Dr. Jen is committed to ensuring your pets receive the best possible care. By prioritizing preventive measures, providing a spectrum of care options, and fostering strong relationships with pet owners, Dr. Jen aims to create a healthy and supportive environment for both pets and their families.