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Vetamac: 35 Years of Dedication to Veterinary Anesthesia and Equipment Excellence
When you trust Vetamac with your anesthesia equipment, you’re not just working with a company - you’re partnering with a legacy that began over three decades ago.
From a Small Workshop to a Trusted National Partner
In 1990, Harry and Freida Latshaw incorporated Vetamac in Rossville, Indiana. What started as a small service business for anesthesia machines soon grew into something far greater. Early on, Harry began servicing equipment in research labs at Eli Lilly, where Dr. Gerry Smith asked if a single anesthesia machine could safely deliver anesthetic to two stations simultaneously.
The result? The Vetamac MGX machine – a pioneering solution that became a standard for research anesthesia across the country.
Innovation Born from Determination
By 1996, the Latshaws faced a challenge: major manufacturers wouldn’t allow Vetamac to sell their machines. Instead of giving up, they built their own. The VAD 1000 was born: a portable, UHMW plastic anesthesia machine designed entirely in-house. It became the foundation of what we now know as the Dream Machine, one of the most trusted names in veterinary anesthesia.
That same spirit of innovation led to multiple relocations as the company grew – from a humble barber shop to larger facilities, and eventually to its current home on Roth Court in Rossville, where Vetamac still operates today.
Building Expertise, one Technician
at a Time
In 2005, Vetamac hired its first field technician in Iowa, marking the beginning of a new era of service expansion. One year later, a second technician joined in Indiana. Soon, veterinarians in Ohio, Illinois, and beyond were benefiting from certified on-site service, a foundation of trust that remains central to Vetamac’s mission.
By 2007, Vetamac had invested in full in-house fabrication, allowing the team to machine, assemble, and quality-control every anesthesia machine component. That same year, the company launched VICTOR, a proprietary database system that continues to power operations today.
Innovation in Safety and Education
Vetamac’s commitment to patient safety and clinician support has always gone beyond machines. In 2010, the Safe Sigh non-rebreathing system was introduced, featuring a patented momentary close valve that prevents accidental high airway pressure, reinforcing Vetamac’s dedication to safety through thoughtful engineering.
That same year, Vetamac celebrated 1,000 editions of its long-running VAPORS Newsletter, an educational resource still published today to keep veterinary professionals informed on anesthesia best practices and equipment care.
A New Chapter of Growth and Partnership
In 2011, Vetamac merged its fabrication and service divisions under one name – officially becoming the unified company it is today. That same year, a new partnership with PSI opened the door to national service coverage, starting with the first Florida client.
In 2012, ownership transitioned to Tom Eden, ushering in a new era of expansion, modernization, and strategic partnerships that propelled Vetamac beyond the Midwest.
Between 2014 and 2025, Vetamac formed long-term collaborations with key distributors and veterinary groups, including Midwest Veterinary Supply, Covetrus, and Penn Vet – to deliver trusted equipment and reliable nationwide service.
National Expansion and Trusted Manufacturing Partners
Over the years, Vetamac’s field service network expanded from a handful of technicians to coverage across more than 30 states. From Illinois to Texas, California to New England, Vetamac’s certified technicians now support thousands of clinics each year — providing preventive maintenance, vaporizer calibration, and full anesthesia system care.
Strategic partnerships also strengthened the product lineup:
- 2019–2025: Vetamac partnered with Covetrus to provide private-labeled anesthesia and dental equipment.
- 2023: A partnership between Tom Eden and Sébastien Lachapelle connected Vetamac with Dispomed, Canada’s leading veterinary equipment manufacturer.
- 2025: Vetamac acquired Summit Anesthesia, expanding service to the Pacific Northwest and solidifying its national presence.
Today, Vetamac proudly offers a full range of Dispomed-manufactured equipment, including anesthesia machines, dental units, and accessories, combining North American engineering excellence with local service and support.
Commitment That Endures
From a single repair bench in a small Indiana town to a nationwide network of factory-trained technicians, Vetamac’s mission has never changed:
To ensure every veterinary team can deliver anesthesia safely, confidently, and without compromise.
After more than 35 years, the legacy built by Harry and Freida Latshaw continues to thrive – strengthened by innovation, partnerships, and a deep commitment to supporting veterinary professionals across the United States.
Milestones in Our Journey
As Vetamac enters its next chapter, the focus remains clear: advancing veterinary anesthesia through dependable equipment, ongoing education, and trusted service. Because for every patient that takes a breath under anesthesia, reliability isn’t just expected, it’s essential.
The MGX Dual-Station Machine Is Born
Vetamac was incorporated by Harry and Freida Latshaw and soon began servicing machines in research labs at Eli Lilly. Dr. Gerry Smith was the supervisor of lab and inquired about the possibility of having a machine that could deliver anesthetic to 2 stations simultaneously. The Vetamac MGX machine was developed to provide 2 stations and was sold for many years for research anesthesia.
The Birth of the Dream Machine
the VAD 1000 anesthetic machine was introduced. It was a UHMW plastic device mounted on a post and base with casters for portability. This machine was developed because none of the existing manufacturers would allow Vetamac to sell their machines. This machine has been through several iterations and is now branded as the Dream machine. The business was also moved from the founder’s home into an old barber shop on North Plank Street in Rossville. In 1998 it was moved to the old library on the intersection of St Rd 26 and 39 in Rossville.
Harry Latshaw Trains at Dispomed
Harry Latshaw traveled to Dispomed in Canada for training on vaporizer service. That service continues to the present in Rossville, In.
Headquarters Established
The business moved to 22 W Main in Rossville and remained until 2011.
Expansion Begins with Field Technicians
The first service tech was hired in Iowa to service anesthesia machines in Iowa and surrounding states. In 2006 a second service tech was hired to service machines in Indiana and surrounding states. This was the beginning of expansion for Vetamac.
In-House Manufacturing Begins
A new business plan was developed that allowed Vetamac to machine the parts needed to manufacture the Vetamac anesthesia machine. Eventually, all fabrication and assembly were done at the Rossville location.
New Custom Database
VICTOR database was developed and after several iterations is still used by Vetamac.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Ohio
Vaporizer lab was established in Iowa for use in that territory.
Vetamac Web store went online and continues to operate.
Safe Sigh System Launched
Vetamac introduced a non-rebreathing system called the Safe Sigh. It featured a momentary close valve for assisting ventilation. The valve cannot remain in the closed position and create dangerous airway pressure. This valve is patented.
From the early days of the business a quarterly newsletter called VAPORS was published and sent to our clients. In 2010 we reached 1000 VAPORS published and sent. The newsletter is still published in a more current and informative format.Vetamac Moves Forward as One
2011 was a banner year for the company. VAD had been the fabrication and assembly arm and Vetamac had been the service arm. They were merged and moved forward as Vetamac.
Expansion to Florida
Vetamac entered into an agreement with PSI to be a service provider for their members. That was a great decision for Vetamac and in July of 2011 the first Florida client was serviced. Later that year the company moved to 130 Roth Court and is still at that location in 2025.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Illinois.
Harry Latshaw and Tom Eden form an agreement for Tom to purchase Vetamac.
November of 2012 a purchase agreement was signed, and Tom became the sole owner.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Indiana by adding an additional tech.
After many years of effort Vetamac secured an agreement to become an authorized supplier for Midwest Vet Supply. That relationship still exists today.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Indiana by adding an additional tech.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Georgia and the Carolinas.
Vetamac Anesthesia machine redesign. Redesigned the breathing head (absorber manifold) and redesigned the chassis to be made from powder coated aluminum.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Kansas and Wisconsin.
Entered into an agreement with Covetrus to provide vaporizer exchange services.
Vetamac forms Medical Gas Plumbing services. Contracts with a certified medical gas plumbing company.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Northern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
Vetamac entered into an agreement with Covetrus to private label anesthesia machines and become the sole anesthesia machine service provider.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Louisianna, Tennessee and New England and Michigan
Vetamac and Dispomed form a partnership.
Entered into an agreement with Penn Vet to provide anesthesia machine service and vaporizer exchange services.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Southern California.
Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Virginia and Texas, South Dakota and Minnesota
Acquired Summit Anesthesia. Expanded anesthesia equipment service to Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Entered into an agreement with Covetrus to provide private labeled Veterinary Dental Equipment made by Dispomed.
Vetamac began selling and servicing Dispomed Dental Machines.