Our goal is to make your first appointment the best ever veterinary visit for you and your pet so we've prepared information to help you understand what to expect during your mobile veterinary appointment.
When scheduling the assistant will ask you to take the time to get a complete history to save time and reduce fear/anxiety/stress during the time with your pet. When we leave our current location, we will text you our estimated time of arrival. When we arrive in your driveway, we will text you “we have arrived” and are ready to see your pet.
How Do You Know When We've Arrived?
If you don't come out as we arrive, not to worry! We will call you! We prefer to let you and your pet approach us as opposed to us coming to your door, which can tend to heighten a pet's anxiousness.
What Should You Expect Before We Arrive
If this is a yearly wellness visit bring us a stool sample from the yard or the litter box. It will make it easier and faster for your pet. If not, we can easily obtain a sample. It’s always best for wellness visits if the patient has been for a walk shortly before we arrive.
If this is an illness/injury visit it’s best if the patient has not eaten or been allowed to urinate for a few hours before we arrive.
Where Do We Park For Your Appointment?
We prefer to park in your driveway but if this isn’t possible when we arrive, we park in the street close to your driveway or wherever you have indicated when we made your appointment. If this is a first visit or a follow up visit from another doctor always bring any available prior medical records, lab samples (stool or urine), and your preferred method of payment.
What Happens When We Arrive For Your Appointment
Dog Appointments
If you have a dog, or dogs, please bring them out, one at a time to the van either on a leash or carried. If you are carrying your dog we will say “hello”, ask you to “step aboard”. We will close the sliding door to allay anxiety and add safety for your pet. You will place your pet on the scale so the Dr. Larry can record their weight.
Next, we will ask you to have a seat (in the passenger’s chair that has been swiveled around so you can see our exam room). We will greet your dog and the Dr. Larry or his assistant will place your pet on the exam table. We always have Steward Dog treats! Your treats are OK to bring but toys only get in the way.
If you bring your dog on a leash, we will say hello from the opened sliding door and will FIRST ask you to “step in and have a seat and your dog will probably follow you”. If it doesn’t, we will help you encourage them in. Once the dog is on board the assistant will help you get them on the scale so the doctor can get their weight.
Cat Appointments
We have an easy top loading carrier that we are always happy to loan you to bring your kitty to the van. Just come out and Joan will show how easy it is to work with. You can carry your cat (not recommended by us), but many cats are very gentle and not afraid of being carried. If you do, we encourage you wrap them in a blanket or towel. You can also bring them in a cat carrier or use ours (it’s easy). We have a blanket in that carrier that is treated with “Feliway” cat attract or you can use this in your carrier or on your blanket or towel.
We will say hello from the opened sliding door and will ask you to have a seat (in the passenger’s seat that has been swiveled around so you can see our exam room).
What To Expect During the Appointment
Once we have your pet's weight in the computer the doctor will take a brief current history (“Why is your pet here to see me today”) and begin a complete head to tail exam such as:
- posture
- physical symmetry
- body score
- teeth & gums
- tonsils
- ears
- eyes
- head & neck
- lymph nodes
- abdominal palpation
- heart & lung sounds
- respiratory rate & effort
Then Dr. Larry will begin the consultation in order to accomplish whatever you need and want. Dr. Larry always talks as he performs this exam and can field questions throughout, except during the heart & lung exam where the assistant will ask for “quiet please”.
Checking Out After Your Appointment
Once we are finished with your pet you are welcome to take them inside, if you prefer. Dr. Larry will then write the treatment plan delivered, input medical notes in our electronic medical records, make a diagnosis and write your pet's treatment plan just delivered.
Check out is a breeze! We accept the following payment types:
- checks
- cash
- credit card
The itemized invoice and any handouts from the doctor will be sent to your email before we leave your driveway.
Types of Mobile Veterinary Visits:
We deliver care for two (2) basic different kinds of visits.
- Yearly Wellness: Always bring a stool sample from the yard or litter box. If you want us to do senior blood tests, it’s best to withhold food and urine habits for 4-6 hours prior to our visit.
- Illness or Injury visits: If your pet is sick, it is always best to not feed them for a few hours (2-4) before we arrive If your dog has urinary problems, it is best if you can obtain a urine sample, see below. If your cat has urinary problems you will need to speak to us on the phone!