The Benefits of Veterinary House Calls: Convenient Care for Your Pet

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD. It was reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS, and was last updated on August 21, 2024

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Memorable Veterinary House Calls

My staff and I were trading favorite stories about veterinary house calls this week:

• “Remember the veterinary house call when you fell in the grave that was just dug for ol’ Bandit?”
• “How about that pug that used to sit at the dining room table and eat with the owner?”
• “No, I wasn’t ready for that euthanasia I had to do with the co-owner watching on Skype.”
• “Eek! What about the veterinary house call for the cat who had already passed away a few days ago? The owner wanted to know if the cat would be okay.”

Indeed, veterinary house calls provide lots of stories—some sad, some worrisome, and some bizarre. Many times, a house call feels more like a scene out of an indie film than part of my job.

Pros of Making Veterinary House Calls

Convenience:
Veterinary house calls offer unmatched convenience.

• If you have difficulty getting around, or if your pet is a senior, is handicapped or difficult to transport for any number of reasons, a house call vet may be a lifesaver.

Less Stress on the Pet:
Some animals hate the animal hospital and begin shaking as soon as you turn the corner or pull into the parking lot.

• The cat might start screaming before, during, and after you get him home. A veterinary house call could be the solution to reduce this stress.

Observing the Pet in Their Own Environment:
For confusing medical cases or behavior consultations, a veterinary house call can be invaluable.

• No matter how honest the owners might think they are being when giving a medical history, a home visit can be very informative.
• Walking into a house thick with cigarette smoke, being overwhelmed by the smell of cat urine, or observing a dog being manhandled by a bunch of kids might provide crucial insights into a pet’s problems.

Home Euthanasias:
In many situations, a veterinary house call for euthanasia can be a comfort to both the pet and the owner alike.

• Enough said.

Personal Relationships:
Even if you don’t sit down to a full-course meal with your vet, having your veterinarian visit your home can strengthen mutual trust and compassion.

• A veterinary house call fosters a more personal connection between the vet and the pet owner.

Multiple Pets:
If you have a gaggle of dogs or if your friends are beginning to call you “the cat lady,” a veterinary house call may be in order!

• Managing multiple pets becomes easier with a vet who comes to you

Cons of Making Veterinary House Calls

Less Thorough Exams:
Veterinary house calls can sometimes result in less thorough exams.

• For instance, visiting Mrs. Fatigue in her recliner, who says Fluffy might be under one of four beds upstairs, but she hasn’t seen the cat in a day or two, doesn’t start the visit on the right foot.
• If the owner isn’t helpful or if the environment is challenging—dirty, with poor lighting—it can be difficult to perform a good exam. It seems that many people don’t realize that vets need proper lighting and tables!

Expense:
There is always a fee associated with veterinary house calls.

• House call vets see far fewer patients in a day than a vet in a hospital.
• Consider how much a locksmith charges to come to your house! The last time I checked, locksmith school didn’t cost $200,000.

Fewer Diagnostics and Treatments:
In the home setting, fewer diagnostics and treatments are usually performed.

• Often, an X-ray is essential for a diagnosis, or clipping up a severe hot spot may require the help of two technicians.
• A fractious cat might simply not be manageable at home. You can’t immediately examine ear smears, skin scrapes, or fecal samples under a microscope, and blood work can’t be run stat.
• Some traveling vets have fully equipped hospital vans, making more services possible, but many can only offer bare-bones exams during veterinary house calls.

Scheduling:
Due to the distance some house call vets need to cover, you may not be able to get your vet to your house in a timely manner.

• This might mean having to visit an unfamiliar vet instead.
• I see many house call patients at my hospital because their house call vet simply wasn’t available.

Time Management:
Veterinary house calls can be time-consuming, even if everything goes smoothly.

• Many people seem to think it’s also a social call.
• The age of James Herriot, with tea and a bit of veterinary medicine on the side, is not a great business model in modern practice.

Referrals:
Ensure your traveling vet works closely with a referral center or veterinary hospital that can admit and work up their patients.

• You don’t want to hear from your house call vet that your animal needs to get to a full-service hospital immediately and not know where to go.

The Music Never Stopped: A Memorable Veterinary House Call

My house call days have provided some of my funniest and most poignant animal memories, like my own “All Things Bright and Beautiful” novel.

Euthanasias can be the most emotional and bizarre veterinary house calls. One such case involved Sadie, an old dog whose time had come. After navigating a steep, icy driveway, I arrived to find Sadie lying on a sea of old mattresses, surrounded by candles and mourners. The atmosphere, complete with incense and Indian print pillows, reminded me of the Grateful Dead.

The scene was surreal, with questions running through my mind:

• How long will this take?
• Is there room for me on a mattress?
• Can they bring a light over?

Despite the unconventional setup, I managed to perform the procedure. We had to wait for a late-arriving guest, but ultimately, Sadie’s last moments were peaceful, surrounded by friends. I quietly slipped out as the first song began, relieved that my part in this unique ceremony had gone smoothly.

If life in the clinic ever feels mundane, perhaps I’ll consider more veterinary house calls.