Vet house calls for your dog

Under the best of circumstances, going to the vet can be a stressful experience for both pets and their owners. The foreign environment, the parade of fellow clients and their animals, the waiting… While many animals enjoy going for a ride, the excitement often grinds to a halt as the car pulls into the hospital parking lot. Still other dogs balk at the idea of the ride itself. But what alternative do caring pet owners have - skipping their pets' routine checkups? Now owners can make sure their beloved animals receive the care they need without even having to don a leash. Veterinarians who make house calls are becoming increasingly available in most areas. Some vets even center their entire practices on these in-home appointments.

Pet vet house calls for nauseous pets

A house call can be ideal if your pet is already feeling nauseous or if transporting her is difficult for some other reason. Perhaps you can make it home midday for an exam, but you can't take the extra time from work to pick your pet up, drive both to and from a veterinary clinic, and then drop her back home afterwards. Whether your pet needs preventive medicine or a sick visit, a house call might make it so she receives the care she needs considerably sooner than without this efficient means of treating companion animals.

To find a vet willing to come to you, you may check your phone book or search online. An even better way to increase your chances of finding both quality and convenience is making a call to your local animal shelter or breed rescue group. Recommendations from reputable organizations always trump good advertising.

Plan ahead - find a pet vet for house calls

Start your search before you need that in-home appointment. The best time to find a veterinarian who makes house calls is when your pet is healthy. The frantic nature of medical emergencies makes it imperative that you interview potential vets when you are calm and not distracted by heightened anxiety over your animal's health.

If you already have a trusted veterinarian, ask if he or she provides this service or would consider offering it in the future. The most important thing when selecting any caregiver for your pet is that you are comfortable with your choice. If you have previously done the legwork in finding a first-rate vet, there is no need to end that relationship. Just as you should keep the name and number of a local emergency clinic on hand, you might also want to identify a visiting vet for when you cannot make it to your pet's regular doctor.

Hospice care and pet vet house calls

Certainly house calls have their limitations. If your pet is suffering from a serious illness, for example, she may benefit from the full staff and equipment available at a conventional hospital. If your animal is in the final stages of a terminal disease, though, you may both find great peace through hospice treatment in the comfort of your own home. Many owners choose to euthanize their dying animals in this familiar setting for this same reason.

Veterinarians who make house calls are a smart option for elderly pet owners who no longer drive, parents with young children at home, or people who own multiple pets or extremely large dogs. The hours may also work better for you, as many visiting veterinarians work evenings to better accommodate working pet owners. If you think you and your pet would benefit from receiving in-home care, it may be just a house call away.