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In today's fast-paced world, the concept of veterinary care has evolved beyond the traditional clinic setting.
Mobile veterinary care options make it easier and more convenient to access high-quality healthcare for your pets. When you book an appointment with a mobile veterinarian, pets will receive all the care and expertise of a qualified veterinarian, without the stress of car rides and unfamiliar clinics.
In this post, I'll walk you through some of the most common services that mobile veterinary practices provide, key benefits, and how to book your first visit!
What is a Mobile Veterinarian?
A mobile veterinarian is a licensed veterinary professional who provides medical care to pets at the owner's home or other convenient locations, offering services like wellness exams, vaccinations, and treatments without the need for a traditional clinic visit.
Some travelling vets have trucks that act like a traditional vet clinic on wheels. These mobile vet clinics allow them to perform complex services like surgeries, dental care, spaying, and neutering at your location.
Benefits of Mobile Vets vs Traditional Vet Clinics
Mobile veterinarians are emerging as a convenient and effective alternative, offering a unique set of advantages over conventional vet clinics.
Here are the major benefits for choosing mobile veterinarians over traditional veterinary offices:
Reduced Stress for Pets
In-home veterinary care services eliminate the hassle and anxiety of seeing a veterinarian. For most pets, especially older and ill pets, being examined in the comfort of home is a much-needed option.
It's often easier to examine a pet accurately at home, where they're most relaxed and comfortable.
Convenience for Pet Parents
Accessing veterinary care at home is also convenient. According to a Reddit thread, on average, pet parents were willing to drive up to 45 minutes per visit to a vet clinic (one-way - 1.5 hours total there and back).
Seeing a veterinarian at home gives pet parents back the time that would have been spent traveling to and from a clinic appointment.
BetterVet offers easy and flexible scheduling options on our website or mobile app.
Individualized Pet Care
Another benefit is that mobile veterinarians can provide more individualized care. Veterinarians have more time to focus on each pet with fewer distractions. This helps them to better examine your pet in their home environment and assess any lifestyle issues.
Common Services Offered by Mobile Veterinarians
Mobile veterinary services typically offer everything that a standard veterinary clinic would provide, including exams, dental checkups, and diagnostic testing, but within the comfort of your home.
Many mobile veterinarians can also provide individualized care for aging or sick pets and pets with chronic health conditions or other special health needs.
Here's a few typical services provided by a mobile veterinarian:
Sick Pet Visits
When your pet is unwell, the last thing you want is to stress them with a trip to the vet. A home vet visit means your pet can be examined in a place where they feel secure. This not only comforts your pet but also gives the vet a better understanding of the pet's symptoms in their usual environment.
Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Should My Pet Be Seen by a Veterinarian?
1. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s appetite?
2. Does your pet have diarrhea or loose stools?
3. Have you noticed changes in your pet’s thirst/water consumption?
4. Is your pet having accidents in the house?
5. Is your pet pacing and unable to settle?
6. Is your pet panting more than usual?
7. Is your pet whining or vocalizing more than usual?
8. Is your pet shaking more than usual?
9. Is your pet hiding or avoiding physical contact more than usual?
10. Is your pet more lethargic and sleeping more than usual?
11. Are you concerned about changes in your pet’s behavior?
12. Is your pet scratching their ears?
13. Is your pet licking their paws more than usual?
14. Does your pet have a rash?
15. Is your pet moving more slowly than usual or having a harder time getting up or down?
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Pet Wellness Exams
At-home wellness exams offer the comfort of familiar surroundings for your pet, reducing anxiety and stress often associated with clinic visits.
In your home, veterinarians can observe your pet in their natural environment, providing a more accurate assessment of their health and behavior. This personalized, calm setting ensures a thorough and relaxed check-up, tailored to your pet's specific needs.
Puppy & Kitten Health Check-Ups
The early stages of a pet's life are crucial. Puppies and kitten exams allow these young pets to receive essential checkups without the exposure to other animals and potential diseases found in clinics.
It also helps in establishing a positive first experience with veterinary care in a safe and comfortable environment.
Mobile Pet Vaccinations
Administering vaccinations at home minimizes the stress and discomfort for your pet. It eliminates the need for potentially distressing travel and waiting room experiences.
This approach can be particularly beneficial for pets that are nervous or aggressive in unfamiliar settings.
Expert Veterinary Consultations
Mobile vet services revolutionize the way consultations and counseling are conducted by bringing expert advice directly to your home.
Nutritional Consultations: For pet nutritional consultations, a mobile vet can assess your pet's diet and eating habits in the comfort of your home, allowing for more tailored dietary recommendations.
Behavioral Consultations: With behavioral consultations, the vet can observe and address behavioral issues more effectively in the pet's familiar surroundings, leading to more accurate assessments and strategies.
Pet Travel Certificates
Obtaining travel certificates through a mobile vet simplifies the process. It saves you the hassle of transporting your pet to a clinic.
The vet can efficiently handle the paperwork and health checks in your home, making the preparation for travel less stressful for both you and your pet.
Quality-of-Life and Palliative Care
Providing palliative and hospice care in the familiar surroundings of home ensures that your pet is as comfortable as possible during their final days or weeks.
It allows for personalized care focused on pain management and quality of life, surrounded by familiar faces and comforts.
At-Home Pet Euthanasia
Choosing in-home pet euthanasia is a compassionate way to say goodbye to a beloved pet. It allows your pet to pass peacefully in a familiar, stress-free environment, surrounded by loved ones.
This service is not only comforting for the pet but also provides a private and dignified way for families to grieve and say farewell.
How Much Does a Mobile Vet Appointment Cost?
Mobile veterinary costs and pricing varies depending on your location and the services your pet requires. When comparing mobile veterinary pricing with traditional clinic pricing, a pet parent should also consider that with in-home care, they will save the time, expense, and stress of traveling to and from appointments.
Another cost-efficient option is a Pet Wellness plan, which typically bundles the cost of routine veterinary care services into an affordable monthly payment.
Consider joining our BetterVet Wellness Club to get unlimited virtual veterinary visits, waived travel fees, in-home veterinary visits, and other benefits.
How a Mobile Veterinary Visit Works
A mobile veterinary appointment typically works similar to a traditional veterinarian's office, but right within your home or mobile truck.
While the medical procedures are relatively similar to a brick-and-mortar vet, here's the process for a mobile vet visit:
1. Scheduling the Appointment
The first step involves booking the mobile vet appointment. With many mobile veterinarians being digital, you can contact them by phone or email, and in some cases an online booking system.
This involves picking the most relevant service, adding your pet's details, picking a date and time, and providing your address.
Pre-Appointment Communication: The mobile vet may ask for your pet's medical history and any specific concerns or needs. This helps them prepare for the visit. They might also give you instructions on how to prepare your pet and your space for the visit.
2. Arrival of the Mobile Vet
On the day of the appointment, the vet arrives at your home. Mobile vets tend to use an appointment window system, where your pet can be seen within a specific timeframe.
Depending on the service, your pet may be seen in your home or within one of our mobile veterinary trucks. These vehicles are often outfitted like small veterinary clinics, with the necessary tools and medications.
3. Performing the Examination
The vet then conducts the exam in your home. This could be anywhere from your living room to your yard, depending on your pet’s comfort and the nature of the visit.
The vet examines your pet, discusses any concerns, and provides necessary treatments or vaccinations.
Observation in Natural Environment: Being in a familiar environment, the vet can observe your pet’s behavior and lifestyle more accurately, which can aid in diagnosis and advice.
Additional Procedures: If needed, the vet can perform various procedures on the spot, such as blood tests, urine tests, administering vaccinations, or even minor surgical procedures, depending on the equipment they have. In some cases, they may refer you to veterinary specialist.
4. Finishing the Appointment
Once your mobile veterinarian has finished the appointment, they will discuss follow-up care, including any treatments or medications your pet needs. They may also schedule a follow-up visit if necessary.
Payment and Paperwork: Finally, you'll handle payment and any paperwork. Mobile vets usually accept various forms of payment, including credit cards and mobile payment apps. They will also update any necessary documentation, such as vaccination records and appointment history.
Departure: After the appointment, the vet leaves, and your pet can immediately go back to their regular routine, without the stress of a clinic visit.
Choosing the Right Mobile Vet
With the growing number of mobile vets available, it becomes crucial to make an informed decision in selecting the right one for your beloved pet.
Here are some criteria to consider when choosing a mobile veterinarian:
- Check Vet Qualifications: Confirm that the vets are fully licensed and qualified.
- Confirm Services Offered: Make sure they provide the specific services your pet requires.
- Easy Appointment Process: Look for a straightforward and convenient appointment scheduling system.
- Adequate Tools: Ensure they have the necessary equipment for on-site treatments.
- Clear Communication: Choose a vet who communicates clearly and compassionately.
- Transparent Costs: Look for clear and reasonable pricing structures.
- Check Reputation: Read reviews to gauge the vet's reliability and quality of care.
- Service Area Check: Confirm that they cover your area without extra charges.
- Insurance and Liability: Make sure the mobile veterinarian is insured and handles liabilities responsibly.
Luckily, BetterVet is a mobile veterinarian that checks all of those boxes!
Conclusion
In-home veterinary services are a fantastic option for busy pet parents and for pets who experience anxiety in the car or being in an unfamiliar setting.
Mobile veterinary care can be a better choice for puppies and kittens, as well as senior and sick pets, who are more vulnerable to communicable diseases.
Mobile veterinary care offers an easy, convenient solution for pet parents who are looking for high-quality veterinary care without leaving home. If your pet is in need of veterinary services and in-home care would be a good fit for you, schedule your first visit with BetterVet!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a reliable mobile veterinarian in my area?
An internet search will pull up mobile veterinarians in your area. Simply type in Google "mobile vet near me" and see who appears in the local map pack.
Look over the reviews, and check their service page to make sure that they offer all the services your pet might need.
To see if BetterVet services your area, simply enter your zip code on our website or convenient app.
What types of services can a mobile veterinarian provide?
Mobile veterinarians provide most of the same services as a traditional clinic does. Common services include wellness exams, vaccinations, microchipping, sick visits, and preventive screenings.
Are mobile veterinary services more expensive than traditional veterinary clinics?
There are travel fees associated with mobile veterinary care, but most pet parents find that the convenience more than justifies the cost. Mobile veterinary care services can be cost-effective, especially with a Pet Wellness membership plan.
Can mobile veterinarians handle emergency situations?
Mobile veterinarians typically handle routine care and diagnostics, but any pet health emergency should be handled by an urgent pet care facility or animal hospital. If your pet has collapsed, has a severe injury, been exposed to a toxin, experienced prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, or additional severe symptoms, contact your local pet urgent care hospital as soon as possible.
How do mobile veterinary visits benefit senior or anxious pets?
Mobile veterinary visits offer many benefits for puppies and kittens, elderly pets and anxious pets, and multi-pet households. Treatment from home maximizes their comfort and safety for pets and convenience for pet parents.
