Pet parents want to give their dogs the best treatment that they can. However, with our busy lives, they are also seeking more freedom and convenience when it comes to caring for their pet.
For example, people more frequently order their food and supplies online so they don’t have to spend the time driving to, and shopping at, the pet store. Something that can make caring for your pet’s health more convenient is using a mobile veterinarian.
Mobile vet services are on the rise, especially in busy metropolitan areas around the country. Using a mobile veterinarian service is awesome because:
1) It’s Convenient
Most people travel 30 to 60 minutes to see their veterinarian. If these pet owners work 8 – 5 Monday through Friday they often have to take time off from work to take their pet to the vet. Even if their vet is open until 6 or 7 pm, it’s not possible to work a full day, drive home and get to the clinic in rush-hour traffic before they close.If you are luckily, your vet has weekend hours but who wants spend part of their hard-earned weekend in a vet’s office?
Mobile veterinarians come to your house to examine your pet on a day, and at a time, that is convenient for you. That means you save time because you don’t have to drive to and from the clinic. You can schedule an appointment so the mobile vet shows up right when you get home from work. Your weekend will be spared.
2) It’s Less Stressful for Your Pet
Some pets get very anxious riding in the car, especially when they know they are riding to the vet. Then there is the gauntlet you have to run to get int the office – make sure your dog doesn’t encounter any cats or other dogs that set them off. No wonder it isn’t unusual for your pet’s heartbeat to be high at the veterinarian’s.
A mobile vet can examine your pet in the comfort of your own home where your pet is familiar with their surroundings. This way the veterinarian can examine your pet in a more relaxed state and better determine their “normal” vitals.
3) It’s Usually Less Expensive
A brick-and-mortar vet clinic needs to make enough money to cover their rent or mortgage, electricity, internet, phones, management staff, etc. All of this cost is factored into the fee that each patient pays. Any procedures performed beyond the minimum increases the business’ profits. Veterinarians are often given bonuses for increasing the profit so they may be more likely to “upsell” you procedures that may not be 100% necessary.
Mobile veterinarians have a very low overhead. That means that the cost for services is often at or lower than the amount you would pay at a veterinary clinic. Also, some mobile veterinarians, like VetPronto, have a compensation structure for veterinarians that don’t give them incentive to “upsell” tests and procedures.
We’ve used the VetPronto mobile veterinary service. I liked that I didn’t feel like our exam was being rushed because another patient was waiting right outside the door. I also liked that they focus on preventative healthcare.
VetPronto was more affordable with two dogs. I was only charged for one house visit but the vet examined both Chester and Gretel for that fee. In comparison, I am charged for each separate exam at my normal clinic. I rarely walk out of Chester and Gretel’s annual checkup for less than $250.
VetPronto serves the Seattle/Redmond/Bellevue and San Francisco communities. When you book an appointment, they will send a licensed veterinarian to your home. They have vets available on the weekends and evenings so your pet can be seen by a veterinarian whenever it’s most convenient for you.
The vet will talk with you about keeping your pet healthy while performing a routine examination. They can also give vaccinations, draw blood for tests, and provide special care including blood work, needle biopsies, fecal analysis etc.
Do you live in the Seattle area or San Francisco and would like to try a mobile veterinarian? VetPronto is offering our readers $30 off the first home visit (regularly $129) with the code PETTALK30. You can book online or call (888) 422-2056 for an appointment.
You can also connect with VetPronto on Facebook.
It's Dog or Nothing says
September 12, 2014 at 8:23 AMI would love to find a mobile vet for my two. Mauja gets really anxious when we get to the vet and it always makes examining her more difficult. Its always a plus when a vet can see your animal in their own environment.
Jessica Rhae says
September 12, 2014 at 8:46 AMI think mobile vets are great. I had never really thought of it until I heart about VetPronto.
Lara Elizabeth says
September 12, 2014 at 9:44 AMThanks so much for this post! I’ve located two mobile vets in Denver that sound great. I am definitely going to go this route when it is vaccination time – trips to the office are so hard for Ruby.
Kimberly Gauthier says
September 12, 2014 at 3:15 PMI had no idea they were less expensive, but it makes since because of the overhead. I wonder if there’s a mobile pet in my area.
Thanks for this post, Jessica!
Jessica Rhae says
September 16, 2014 at 7:55 PMI guess it depends on how many pets you have and the rate for an exam at your vet (and any multiple pet discounts). If I had 4 dogs I would call it worth it even if the price was the same so I didn’t have to wrangle all of the dogs to the vet 🙂
I didn’t find anything for Marysville but I know VetPronto is expanding. Maybe service will eventually be available up your way.
Bethany says
September 12, 2014 at 7:27 PMWe loved our VetPronto visit but having Dr. Hur come for just one of our pets is 2x more than an office visit to our local vet. My local vet also gives me huge discounts for bringing in multiple pets- most vets do! I will likely splurge on VetPronto again because of the convenience and lack of stress. But a splurge is a splurge and I can never be sure I’ll have that extra money laying around.
Jessica Rhae says
September 12, 2014 at 7:34 PMMy vet is not nice enoigh to give a discount for two dogs. Maybe iys because you have a boatload of pets 🙂
Jana Rade says
September 14, 2014 at 9:47 AMOur chiropractor/acupuncture vet did house calls. It was definitely convenient and not that much more expensive than office visits. She charged $30 for the visit/travel plus normal fee which was, well, normal.
Meg Lund says
July 6, 2015 at 10:33 AMMy dog, when taken to the vet, gets very aggressive. I think mostly out of fear because she is in an unknown place. This is why I liked the idea of using a mobile vet clinic because it really would reduce stress, as you suggest second in this article. I liked your point that because they are in the comfort of their own home, they will be less stressed and the doctor can get a more accurate insight as to what is wrong with your animal. I would agree with this point, and would argue that because they are less stressed and able to get a more accurate diagnosis, they in the long run will be able to stay healthier. Thanks for these helpful tips!
bryan flake says
August 10, 2015 at 11:29 AMThese mobile vets are almost like the old west times when doctors made house calls all the time. As a disabled person with a service animal, I think I could totally get used to a mobile vet. There are tons of home delivery services these days. It is about time that veterinary services became a widely accepted mobile service.
Michael Lee says
December 12, 2018 at 9:37 AMYou make a good point that mobile veterinary services are less stressful for my pets. He doesn’t like car rides very much so we have been thinking about having a vet come to us. This is is good so that he can be calm and have a visit where he won’t have an elevated heartrate.
Caden Dahl says
December 20, 2018 at 9:20 PMI too work eight to five Monday through Friday and you are right that I don’t have enough time to take my dog to the vet if he did get sick or hurt. I love the idea of a mobile vet as you did mention that it brings convenience to myself and many others who don’t have the time to see a vet during normal business hours. I’ll for sure have to keep that in mind if my dog does ever hurt himself.