We get asked all the time what pet parents should think about when prepping for an at-home veterinary appointment. Of course we roll in fully equipped to handle exams, diagnostics, treatments and minor procedures within clients’ living spaces. But a few preparation pointers always streamline visits ensuring everything flows smoothly as possible despite impromptu settings!
Whether hosting our mobile vet team for the first meet-and-greet or a recurring wellness checkup, consider the following home prep and creature comfort tips:
Locating the Perfect Spot
Scan your home’s layout identifying which spaces offer adequate room for everyone present to gather comfortably around the patient pet. While we travel prepared for tight spots attempting to accommodate all creatures great and small in latest model RVs, apartment high rises and teeny city condos, ideal set ups involve:
Open floorplans: Great rooms, living rooms and finished basements allow flexibility moving our mobile gear wherever works best. Patients feel less cornered with escape route visibility.
Uncluttered zones: Remove excess furniture fills creating ample inches for our gear bag hauling tools of the trade—exam table, scale,oplasocope, laptop, medications, etc. Decluttered spaces prevent struggles fishing out needed items.
Accessible outlets & WiFi: We utilize your home power sources and internet connecting our tablets updating medical records digitally. Make sure we can link up electronics nearby!
Soft surfaces for scaredy cats: Timid tabbies feel safest hunkered upon or hiding underneath beds, couches and cushy window perches. We get on their level wherever calms kitty nerves best!
Hard floors for messy pups: Accidents happen, especially when anxiety strikes sensitive dogs faced with strangers on their turf. Skip plush white shag rugs underfoot tempting inevitable vomit, urine and other unintentional emissions.
Sunny sites to warm chilly critters: Cold-natured creatures appreciate warm beams heating their skin during various stages of hands-on exams. Crank thermostats and open shades letting sunshine stream inside.
Preparing Pets Too!
While we mainly need owners present focused on keeping pets relaxed, additional family members make excellent assistants wrangling wiggly companions in place for procedures and diagnostics. Have kids and teens on standby to lend an extra hand restraining pets if the situation calls for it.
Set the stage keeping animals as comfortable around us as possible:
Exercise pets beforehand – Tuckered out dogs and feisty felines too pooped to put up much protest!
Withhold food for 6+ hours – Fasting helps should sedation become necessary plus prevents mid-exam vomiting incidents. We suggest water only for at least half a day pre-appointment.
Confine cats overnight – Limit roaming preventing potential overnight escapes through doors carelessly left ajar by kids, guests, etc. We need patient kitties easily accessible when appointment time comes.
Apply calming aids beforehand – Natural supplements, anxiety vests and pheromone diffusers help take the edge off highly sensitive dispositions. We carry soothing support tools as well but home integration sets the tone.
Prepare preferred rewards – Gather favorite treats, meals and toys to shower patient pets with praise following all forms of handling cooperative or otherwise. Start an enticement “goody bag” we can grab from to motivate participation.
Have medication lists ready – Note any current supplements, prescriptions, OTC meds, past medication allergies and at-home remedies used to managing conditions for easy reference querying dosing, efficacy, side effects, etc.
Day Of Logistics
Confirm mobile vet appointments 24 hours in advance verifying arrival times and exact location access information. Ensure outdoor numbers visible for curbside parking and provide door codes/elevator cards if multi-unit dwellings.
Text updates en route frame ETA and touch base should any delays occur in our schedule preceding you. Know we build in padding minimizing chances of leaving you in a lurch. But traffic happens and medical emergencies with earlier patients take priority. Open communication always remains key!
Have dogs securely leashed and cats in carriers when we enter, then settle everyone down before examinations commence. Let our attemps at humor and cookie bribes resonate! We want pets POSITIVELY associating us with this encounter.
Most importantly, take a deep breath and trust our handling style keeping beloved animals’ welfare squarely in focus. We treat every patient like our own fur kids and understand this feels invasive exposing creatures to prodding by unfamiliar doctors and nurses within their safe zones. But necessary for preventative wellbeing and diagnosing issues early when they’re most treatable.
We strive to minimize stress and discomfort at all costs, using force-free cooperation tactics, lots of affection praise and maximum sensitivity towards any discomfort. We’ve got this!
Ready to meet us on your home turf? Reach out anytime to learn more about our New Jersey mobile veterinary offerings or book an appointment convenient for the whole family—including furry family members! We make this hassle-free on both ends. Paw shakes and waggy tails await!