Hello! My name is Dr. Lyndsey Kingsley, and I am a veterinarian with BetterVet. With Rachel, my veterinary technician, and our furry assistants, Turtle and Peter Quill, we're excited to share the numerous benefits of house call exams and how in-home veterinary care can be a game-changer for your pet's health and well-being.
We will also walk you through what takes place during a pet’s typical in-home Wellness Exam.
The Benefits of an In-Home Exam
Convenience
One of the most significant advantages of in-home exams is their convenience. If you work from home, it's incredibly easy to schedule a visit without the hassle of traveling to the vet's office.
This convenience extends to avoiding the stress and discomfort your pet might experience during a car ride.
Reduced Stress for Pets
Our primary goal is to provide a less stressful vet visit to ensure your pet is comfortable and more accepting of future visits. Pets often experience significant stress during traditional vet visits due to unfamiliar environments, smells, and the car ride itself.
This stress can even cause physiological changes, particularly in cats, which can skew diagnostic results like blood work.
By conducting exams in the comfort of your home, we minimize these stressors, leading to more accurate health assessments. Pets see us as friends rather than threats, which allows for a more thorough and accurate examination.
Preparing for an In-Home Visit
1. Adapting to Your Pet’s Comfort
The beauty of mobile vet services is adaptability.
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For instance, if your dog feels safest in their bed by the fireplace, we can conduct the exam there.
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For cats, if the carrier is a source of stress, we recommend keeping them in a small, comfortable space like a bathroom or closet.
This helps start the visit on a positive note, with minimal additional stress.
2. Creating a Calm Environment
Part of our Fear Free™ approach involves making your pet feel at ease. We want them to see us as friends visiting their homes.
Keeping the environment calm and quiet, without any large gatherings or loud noises, is crucial. Having their favorite treats on hand also helps us build a positive association with our visit.
What to Expect During an In-Home Exam
Feline Wellness Exam Process
Let's walk through what an actual in-home exam looks like, starting with our feline friend, Turtle:
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We'll begin by examining her face, looking for any ocular or nasal discharge, and checking her skin for signs of allergies.
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Next, we'll inspect her teeth for tartar buildup and gum inflammation, which provides valuable health insights in just a few seconds.
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We also check her ears for infections, feel her lymph nodes for any signs of infection or cancer, and assess her joints for swelling or pain.
Throughout the exam, we use gentle, reassuring touches to keep Turtle calm and cooperative.
Canine Wellness Exam Process
Now, let's move on to our canine volunteer, Mr. Quill. We use treats to create a positive experience, helping him associate our visit with fun and rewards rather than discomfort.
- We begin by checking his eyes, ears, and teeth for any issues, then move on to feeling his lymph nodes and listening to his heart and lungs.
- We also palpate his muscles and joints to ensure there are no signs of pain or abnormalities.
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?
View Results
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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Additional In-Home Veterinary Services
In-home veterinary care isn't limited to just physical exams. We can provide a range of wellness services, including:
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Annual blood work and heartworm tests
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Fecal testing
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Blood pressure readings
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Ultrasound scans for fluid detection
For pets with chronic conditions like renal disease or hypothyroidism, we can conduct lab work in the comfort of the pet’s home.
While we do have some limitations compared to a full hospital (such as overnight monitoring), the reduced stress of in-home visits often allows us to perform more thorough and accurate diagnostics.
Conclusion
In-home veterinary care offers a less stressful, more convenient way to keep your pets healthy. By conducting exams in a familiar environment, we can gather accurate health information and ensure a positive experience for your pet. If you have any questions or want to learn more, feel free to visit our website for a complete list of our vet services by location, and schedule your in-home visit today.
Thank you for joining us! We look forward to providing the best care for your beloved pets right in the comfort of your home.
