The Difference Between a Veterinary Hospital and a Veterinary Clinic

The real answer: essentially there is no difference between a veterinary hospital and a veterinary clinic. It is all about personal preference when the owner designs the building and decides on a name for the clinic.

When it comes to differences between veterinary facilities, it comes down to the area of focus or specialty.

Areas of focus includes:

• Small animal, primarily dogs and cats
• Large animal
• Exotics, including pocket pets/reptiles/birds
• Specialty clinics (typically these include board certified veterinarians w/ one area of focus – such as a dermatologist)
• Emergency hospitals