Do Vets Make House Calls? How to Find One That Does

When you’re a pet owner, taking your pet to the vet for checkups, injuries, and illnesses is a given. Sometimes, especially at the end of a pet’s life or if a pet is injured or sick, loading your pet into the car for the trip to the vet’s office can be difficult, adding more stress to your pet on top of the issue. When it comes to house calls, there are mobile pet services that come to your home, or you may even find a veterinary office that will come to you for specific services. Have you given any thought to whether your vet makes house calls? And how do you find one that does? In short, yes, some vets do make house calls.

In this post, we’ll explore this topic more in-depth so you can decide if vet house calls are right for you and your furry friend. We’ll also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using a vet who makes house calls and how to find them.

How to Find a Vet Who Makes House Calls

Not all veterinary offices offer house calls, and some may offer them on a case-by-case basis. Typically, veterinarians who offer house calls or operate via a mobile service can perform routine checkups, administer vaccinations, and provide heartworm and flea and tick medications, hospice care, and euthanasia. Most mobile veterinary services cannot perform diagnostics (X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.). Emergencies are better treated in a clinic or hospital/emergency setting or if diagnostics are needed.

If you’re interested in finding a mobile veterinary service, one way is to use the Vet Locator site. This site lets you enter your zip code and the miles you need to expand your search. There are a few sites you can use to find an in-house veterinarian, and if your veterinarian does not offer house calls, you can use them as a resource to find one, as they usually can steer you in the right direction.

The Benefits of Veterinary House Calls

When considering using a veterinarian who makes house calls, you may wonder what exactly the benefits are. Is it worth pursuing? Is it more expensive? In this section, we’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the service to give you a better idea and to help you determine if it’s right for you and your pet.

Reduces Fear, Stress, and Anxiety in Pets

Imagine this scenario: Your dog is not feeling well and hates car rides and the vet's office. Loading your pup into the car and driving to the vet’s office adds additional stress, especially if your dog is familiar with the route. The vet’s office will likely be full of other nervous pets, adding even more stress and anxiety. A house call takes this scenario out of the picture and will help your pet relax while being treated.

Convenient

Of course, there’s the convenience of house calls. You don’t have to load up your pet, enter a waiting room full of nervous pets, wait in an uncomfortable waiting room, and try to keep other pets away from yours, especially if they appear aggressive. It also saves you time away from work or trying to add it to your busy schedule.

Excellent for Senior Pets

It’s common for senior pets to develop arthritis as they age, and having a vet come to you helps ease the pain your senior may suffer from being loaded up into the vehicle, exiting the vehicle, and waiting on hard floors in the waiting room. At-home or mobile vet calls will keep your senior more comfortable during treatment.

Easier for Multiple Pets

It can be a circus taking all your pets to the vet simultaneously. Most pet owners with multiple pets opt to schedule separate appointments, but this brings more time and inconvenience to the table. With veterinary house calls, each pet can receive more personalized care without having to schedule separate appointments.

Excellent Choice for Euthanasia

Unfortunately, all pets’ lives come to an end. When it’s time to let them go, having euthanasia performed at home in a familiar setting brings comfort to both the pets and the owners. One of the most challenging events to go through in life as a pet owner is saying goodbye, and the last thing you want is for your pet to be stressed in the vet’s office before the end.

When euthanasia is performed at home, you can choose your pet’s favorite location and provide their own bedding, blankets, etc., in a place they love to make the process as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

The Drawbacks of Veterinary House Calls

Expense

The price for veterinary house calls varies depending on your location and the fee a veterinarian may charge, as it’s not unusual for house calls to be an additional expense added to the services provided.

Another drawback is that your particular veterinarian may not perform house calls and you may not want a different veterinarian treating your pet, leaving you with one option: taking your pet to the vet’s office.

Limited Resources and Space

The treatment needed will depend on the type of injury or illness. Mobile veterinarian services pack all equipment into a small space, which may be uncomfortable for larger pets. They also may not have the necessary equipment (diagnostics) and space to treat a specific injury or illness, as severe cases almost always require treatment in a controlled clinic or hospital setting.

Not Ideal for Emergencies

Mobile veterinary services are often booked back to back throughout the day, and if you have an emergency, the house call may not be available in ample time. Your pet may also not receive a thorough exam, and blood work cannot be performed stat for an urgent diagnosis.

Limited Staff

One veterinarian often performs veterinary house calls with no additional staff, and this can be a problem if the treatment requires another pair of hands, perhaps for holding the pet while checking a particular area.

Final Thoughts

There are many sites online that allow you to find a vet who makes house calls, but it depends on the situation if the service is suitable. Ultimately, depending on the issue, a veterinary house call may or may not suffice. Even though finding a medical doctor who makes house calls is almost unheard of these days, it’s not as difficult to find a veterinarian who makes house calls.

If your vet does not make house calls, you can opt for a mobile veterinary service for routine checkups and other basic treatments. If you’re facing the difficult decision of laying your pet to rest, an at-home veterinary visit can be a more comfortable and peaceful option for your pet and you.

The other option is taking advantage of some online telehealth services.

Featured Image Credit: TommyStockProject, Shutterstock