No pet owner wants to skimp on the care of his or her beloved companion, but sometimes a traditional vet simply isn't convenient. People have busy schedules and can't always make it out during office hours. Other causes for concern are the animals themselves. Some get so stressed during travel or when in a new environment that going to the vet simply isn't feasible. A mobile veterinarian provides a flexible alternative that adapts to an owner's schedule and transportation needs and provides many of the same services.
Common Services
Basic Pet Treatment
Mobile veterinary clinics provide most - if not all - of the same services as a traditional brick-and-mortar location.
Examinations: Annual wellness exams keep pets fit and healthy. They help detect diseases and other health conditions before they become a critical issue. During the exam, veterinarians check out a pet's heart rate, breathing, weight, temperature and overall appearance.
Vaccinations: Vaccines are a basic part of essential pet health care. Mobile vets offer most vaccinations, including:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline herpes
- Feline leukemia
- Feline immunodeficiency virus
- Bordetella
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Chlamydophila
Spay and neuter services: Having pets spayed or neutered helps reduce the number of animals on the streets and left in shelters. Many mobile veterinarians provide this procedure only and do so at a free or discounted rate.
Parasite prevention: Most parasites are capable of transmitting diseases, while others are life threatening in their own right. Mobile vets help owners get rid of:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Heartworms, which can damage a pet's heart and lungs
- Hookworms, which cause anemia and inflammation of the small intestines
- Roundworms, which can lead to malnourishment
Microchipping: This is a process by which a vet puts a small computer chip beneath a pet's skin. This chip connects to a nationwide database with crucial information, including the pet's name, home and any medical conditions. Most veterinary offices have a scanner that reads these microchips, allowing lost pets to be reunited with their owners.
Elderly pets are more prone to disease.
Senior Care
Elderly pets are more prone to disease and joint or mobility problems and are more likely to be over or underweight. Mobile vets can evaluate your pet and provide subsequent consultations based on its needs, such as:
Nutrition recommendations: These inform pet owners of the best foods and supplements for their animals.
Mobility advice and/or modifications: Physically disabled pets often need help navigating their environments. Mobile vets can recommend devices like orthopedic beds, elevated feeders, harnesses, lifts, ramps or stairs.
Pain management services: Pets often hide their pain on instinct. A good mobile vet can advise owners on natural, over-the-counter and prescription treatments.
End-of-Life Services and Euthanasia
Many mobile clinics offer euthanasia and palliated natural death for terminally ill animals.
- Euthanasia: This is a safe, humane way to end a pet's suffering in the event of a terminal illness or injury. Mobile vets offer a chance to say goodbye that is painless and provides the greatest amount of comfort. Owners can choose where the pet gets to spend his or her last moments, whether that's inside the house, outside or in a medical environment.
- Palliated natural death: This option is for those who are opposed to euthanasia but still want to reduce their pet's suffering as much as possible. Also called advanced hospice care or hospice-supported death, palliated natural death is a way to comfort animals during their final moments.
Deceased Pets
Some mobile vets offer assistance for those who have pets pass away at home, including:
- Determining cause of death: This usually can't be done at the home, but the mobile vet can transport pets to a separate facility and conduct an autopsy at the owner's wish.
- Burial services and cremation: Most mobile vets don't perform these services themselves, but they often have established relationships with local businesses and can recommend organizations or put pet owners in direct contact with them. They can also help transport the body, prepare it for burial and select or prepare memorial items like fur clippings or paw prints.
Benefits of Mobile Veterinary Services
While mobile vets can't completely replace fully equipped clinics and pet hospitals, they provide several benefits.
- Closer relationships with patients: Due to time and travel constraints, most mobile vets only see a handful of animals each day. However, this allows them to develop a better understanding of the needs of the pet and its owner. It also allows the vet to make accommodations in terms of scheduling or pricing if necessary.
- Reduced patient stress: Transporting a pet from its home to a veterinary office often stresses out the pet and its owner. Mobile clinics allow vets to examine pets in a comfortable, familiar environment. Pets naturally display more normal behavior when at home, so vets can conduct a more accurate assessment.
- Ability to handle multiple pets: It's difficult for owners with three or more pets to secure them all in a car and then drive to a vet's office. Mobile facilities take care of the transportation so owners don't have to split their pets' care into individual appointments.
- Care for large animals: It's not always economically feasible for owners to transport large pets like cows or horses, especially if the animal needs frequent care. Mobile vets are more accommodating in such situations.
- Assistance for pet owners with limited transportation: Elderly people and those with disabilities or chronic medical conditions can't always take their animals to a vet, especially if they live in an area without well-established public transportation. This issue is resolved with the use of a mobile veterinary service.
Cost
Mobile vets generally, but not always, offer their services at prices similar to those of traditional veterinarians.
Mobile vets generally, but not always, offer their services at prices similar to those of traditional veterinarians. Some charge a home visitation fee. Most mobile exams, vaccinations, and similar services cost between $20 and $50, while euthanasia and other end-of-life care costs between $200 and $300.
Most mobile vets expect payment at the time of service and accept cash or cards. If you plan to pay with a personal check, call or check the clinic's website ahead of time to make sure this is acceptable. Some vets accept pet insurance or offer payment plans.
Animal Types
Almost all mobile vets advertise their services for cats and dogs. Farmers can find specialty services for large animals, including horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and cows. Finding a mobile vet that helps less common animals like turtles, rodents or birds is often harder, especially for people who don't live close to a metropolitan area.
Additional Factors to Consider
Facilities and Setup
Many vets are drawn to the concept of mobile clinics because of the lower overhead. They work out of a car or van rather than a building, so vets don't have to pay for real estate.
Some mobile veterinarians operate like doctors who make house calls, traveling with a basic bag to provide general exams. Others rent or transform their vehicle into a fully - or almost fully - equipped office complete with standard equipment such as a pet scale, syringes, shaving tools, stethoscope and more.
Diagnostic Procedures and Surgery
Generally, mobile vets are neither large enough nor have the equipment to conduct a diagnosis or perform surgery. However, if they notice something during a pet's exam, they can refer the owner to a nearby full-service clinic.
Resources
Even if a mobile clinic isn't equipped to offer the right help, the veterinarians can direct owners to resources for:
- Emergency services
- Pet psychologists or other emotional specialists
- Pet loss counselors, support groups and help lines
It's up to each pet owner to decide whether a mobile veterinary service is best for their pets. Mobile clinics provide a convenient alternative to traditional vet offices in terms of travel and scheduling, but they can't always offer the same services. If your pet needs emergency treatment or specialized care, it's best to contact a veterinary hospital.