Let’s get started
FAQs
There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team. Below are some answers to our most common questions.
What is a house call visit?
At South Mountain Mobile Veterinary Services, we provide most of the same services as veterinarians in a clinic setting do, but within the comfort of your home. This is inherently less stressful for you and your pets. In most cases, we can quietly observe your pet’s normal behavior while we are discussing your pet’s history and medical needs. Then we will perform a physical exam and discuss recommendations. In a home setting, your pet is the star of the show, with no distractions or stressors found in a clinic. If we determine that surgery or x-rays are needed, we will refer your pet to a clinic that can provide those services.
What are your fees?
Housecall fee: $99 (charged once per visit)
Consultation fee: $66 per pet
Vaccines: $42 each
Additional fees are available on request. A complete estimate is created at the time of the visit, tailored to your pet’s needs. There may be an additional travel fee for locations outside our primary service area of Laveen, AZ.
Do you need to read my pet’s previous veterinary records?
If a veterinarian has examined your pet in its lifetime, we ask that you provide those records in advance to familiarize ourselves with the history. In most cases, we can request those records directly from the clinic that holds them.
Additionally, if your pet is taking any medications, we will need to know the name and dosage of each one, even non-prescription products.
How should I prepare my cat for the visit?
All cats should be confined to a small room like a bathroom before our arrival. Please be sure that the room does not have any small spaces or furniture; we cannot be responsible for retrieving a cat from a hiding place and will need to reschedule if this occurs. It may even be appropriate to have your cat wait in a cat carrier to ensure they can’t hide when we arrive.
If your cat tends to hide or be shy around new people, he or she may benefit from taking a mild sedative before the visit to minimize stress and reactivity further. We will discuss this option when the appointment is scheduled.
How should I prepare my dog for the visit?
Dogs should wear a well-fitting collar or harness for the duration of the visit. We require all dogs to be leashed and under your control when we arrive for everyone’s safety. It’s difficult to predict how even the nicest dog will react to seeing a stranger come in the door; remember, we are invading your dog’s home turf! In most cases, we remove the leash within moments because we are friendly, and dogs usually like to get to know us.
Many dog owners seek out house-call veterinarians because their dog is very stressed or even aggressive at the vet clinic. We do not judge your pet’s clinic behavior, but we do ask that you be upfront with us about it at the time. Knowing a dog has a history of aggression may change the way we speak, move, and interact to minimize the dog’s fear response. We want this to go well for everyone, and we need all behavior information to make that happen. In some cases, a dog may need a muzzle and/or a sedative to be safely examined. If you think this will be the case, you can practice putting a muzzle on your dog, so they are used to it (Note: a muzzle that holds a dog’s mouth closed should NEVER be left on for more than a few minutes as it can cause dangerous overheating!) Sometimes our first visit is a “get to know the vet” visit if the behavior is the primary concern, so we thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience if we decide a follow-up visit is warranted.
Will my pet have to wear a muzzle?
Maybe. Safety is paramount in house call visits. In many cases, muzzles provide a distraction while an injection is given or blood is drawn. Muzzles also protect everyone if we inadvertently touch a painful spot, such as a sore joint or limb. For cats, we may use a towel to make a “kitty burrito” so we can safely examine and treat.