Saint Francis Pet Clinic

Dr. Karsten Fostvedt started St. Francis Pet Clinic in September of 1989. Dr. Fostvedt previously owned the St. Francis Pet Clinic in Santa Barbara, Calif. The clinic has grown over the last 27 years, mainly by word of mouth, in the small mountain town of Ketchum, Idaho. Since opening in 1989, it has expanded and now offers state-of-the-art surgical facilities, grooming services, digital radiography and a full-service laboratory. We also offer boarding for ill animals needing daily medication and special care. For a full list of our services, click here.

Dr. Fostvedt graduated from Stanford University with honors in 1972. He worked as a veterinary nurse for Dr. R.L. Collinson, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association, in the Bay area for two years. Dr. Fostvedt graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978. He started his practice in Santa Barbara, Calif. where he worked as a small animal veterinarian until 1989. In 1989, Dr. Fostvedt sold his practice and moved his family to Sun Valley, Idaho, where he started St. Francis Pet Clinic. His special interests include dermatology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, and soft tissue surgery.

We are open six days a week, are on-call for emergencies 24-7, and have qualified nurses and receptionists who will make you and your pets feel relaxed during times of illness and injury.

Pet Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy uses your pet’s own stem cells for treatment. This is called Autologous Therapy– when the stem cells come from your own body’s tissues. There are no ethical or moral concerns with the use of stem cells from one’s own body as these cells are adult and not embryonic. With MediVet’s advancement in technology, we are merely utilizing the body’s own regenerative capabilities with our proprietary treatment.

Stem cells are powerful healing cells in your pet’s body that can become other types of cells. There are many adult stem cells in fat tissue, however, they are asleep. MediVet’s Stem Cell therapy allows your vet to isolate stem cells from your animal’s own (autologous) fat tissue, wake them up, and reintroduce them directly into damaged areas. For example, in the case of arthritis, stem cells can become new cartilage cells and have natural anti-inflammatory properties thus reducing pain and increasing mobility.