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Health & Fitness

Veterinary House Calls for Senior Pets

Veterinary house calls give families an alternate more relaxed approach to providing routine care as well as managing long and short term illness for their senior dogs and cats.

When I created my veterinary house call practice, the Visiting Vet Service, 23 years ago, my "vet school dog" April was already well into her teenage years.  She drove around with me in my van, and visited with my clients and patients after their appointments.  She had no fear of veterinarians and she never worried about walking into a vet hospital.  She received most of her medical care from me, at home. 
As it turns out, most of my patients prefer to avoid that dreaded visit to the animal hospital.  They might not be delighted to see my car pulling into their driveway, but most are pretty relaxed for their routine wellness, as well as more complicated vet house call visits, even when needles are involved!  
House calls for senior pets address the wide range needs of aging dogs and cats. When chronic, progressive illness occurs, dogs and cats become more sensitive to changes in their environment.  Some larger dogs are unable to get into the car for travel to a vet hospital, and many older dogs and cats become too stressed to leave the house. 
Assessment of these special senior pets in their home gives a realistic view of how they are doing and what they need to maintain a good quality of life.  Even minor changes in support, medications and supplements, and physical accommodations may make a big difference in their long term prognosis and quality of life.  Therapeutic laser offers an added safe and natural treatment alternative for older arthritic dogs and cats. 
As pets near the end of their lives, quality of life assessments, and long and short term palliative therapy help families cope with their older pet's final stages of life.  When necessary, in home euthanasia becomes a comfortable option, especially for those that have an ongoing relationship with their house call veterinarian. 
As part of comprehensive senior care services, my practice also offers in home nursing visits for administration of oral and injectable medications, subcutaneous fluids, and follow up diagnostics. 
Melissa Shapiro, DVM
visitingvetservice.com

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