When one is choosing a veterinarian, there are multiple things to consider, much as when one chooses their own personal physician. Examples of things to consider are experience, education, practice style and philosophy, availability of personal attention for your pet, and convenience in getting to the office. Choosing a veterinarian who makes housecalls, though less commonly encountered than veterinarians who work out of stationary offices, may be just the right choice for you and your pet.

Consider the stress level of both you and your pet. When the doctor comes to you, your pet’s level of stress is significantly decreased, if not eliminated, during the exam and treatments. A relaxed patient is much more likely to allow a thorough physical exam. Parameters such as heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure are less likely to be elevated from the stress of the trip to the office, the crowded waiting room, etc. All of this can be key in obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Avoiding a crowded waiting room can also decrease potential exposure to infectious disease, particularly important for pediatric patients, as well as older patients. Allowing the doctor to see the animal’s home environment helps them to formulate a more effective and practical treatment plan. After all, the veterinarian that walked up two flights of stairs to get to your living room is much less likely to make impractical suggestions about exercise and stair restrictions than the one who has not truly considered the home situation. Also fostering a close personal relationship is the fact that mobile veterinarians don’t tend to see as many patients per day, or per week, as their non mobile colleagues. This can lead to more time spent per patient, and to more personalized attention. And because housecall veterinarians don’t see as many pets per week, they tend to concentrate their case loads in their area of interest, such as exotic pets, alternative medicine, internal medicine, etc.

You may be thinking that this is all great, but what happens when my pet needs diagnostics which can not be carried out in the home(for example an x-ray), surgery, or hospitalization? Rest assured that the veterinarians making housecalls have thought this through. Most have prearranged agreements with one or more local hospitals allowing use of the facilities when needed, or with specific specialists whom they trust to refer their patients to when necessary. Of course we should not ignore the obvious factor of convenience in having the doctor come to you. Whether you have multiple pets, pets resistant to or afraid of carriers and car rides, small children, difficulty finding transportation, or just a very tight schedule, housecalls can truly help ease your load. In conclusion, I would suggest that although housecalls may seem unusual or new to us, perhaps we should remember that this is how it all began, and consider that there is great merit to the benefits of in home, personalized medical attention for our pets.