Paw-sitively Convenient: Mobile Veterinary Care in Greater Gainesville
By Ryan Walsh
Who says the doctor does not make house calls?
Seventy percent of U.S. households currently count an animal among their family, according to a 2021 study by the American Pet Products Association (APPA). The APPA also determined that these households spent 5% more on veterinary care in 2022 than the previous year.
People care about their furry, four-legged friends. Ensuring they receive top-of-the-line health care is an increasing priority.
In Greater Gainesville and across the country, veterinary services are meeting this increased demand through both innovation and a return to time-honored practices.
Enter the veterinarian house call
Traveling veterinarians and pet telemedicine services look to keep pets happy, healthy and now – home. Haile Plantation Animal Clinic is one such practice.
By offering owners the opportunity to have their pets seen at home, these innovative clinics help animals remain as comfortable as possible during appointments. Everything from routine checkups to nail trims, vaccines and bloodwork, these doctors do it all. Canine companions and feline friends who are older or experience travel anxiety can now be taken care of in the comfort and security of their familiar space.
Haile Plantation Animal Clinic provides this service in a 25-mile radius of their office, encompassing Gainesville, High Springs, Alachua and more.
Robertson Mobile Vet is owned and operated by Dr. Jessica Robertson, a 2010 graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Since starting her mobile vet clinic in 2015, Robertson’s operation has since expanded to include a brick-and-mortar location as well.
“Finding enough staffing to continue providing quality care without burning out the people who are currently working is a challenge that the industry is facing right now,” Robertson said.
Capitalizing on being part mobile, part brick-and-mortar has helped alleviate this issue for her clinic and has been extremely valuable to her patients.
“We want our clients to have the flexibility they need,” Robertson said. “For clients who can’t travel, or for clients whose pets do better in the home versus the clinic, we see a broad spectrum.”
Beyond the traditional veterinary health care services provided, Robertson Mobile Vet is unique in its offering of pet behavior management. Rambunctious pups that may need a little reining-in can now learn in the familiar surroundings they already know and love.
Sorry, the dog was on mute
Telemedicine services mean that vets can now be in two places at once.
While not replacing comprehensive, face-to-face care, there are several services that can be administered through remote sessions. Concerns an owner might have regarding their animal’s appearance, sounds or irregular bodily functions can often be diagnosed and addressed via video conference.
For newer pet owners who may not be familiar with the ins and outs of regular animal well-being, virtual checkups are a great way to answer questions and alleviate concerns.
Of course, a physical checkup will be a necessity in certain cases. Surgeries, broken bones and palliative care require in-person attention. Any suspected pet emergencies should be handled by a professional vet at an animal hospital.
For anyone with experience coaxing a cat into a carrier or listening sadly to the cries of their dog in their crate, these variable options can be a lifesaver. For more information on Greater Gainesville’s innovative vet services, check out Haile Plantation Animal Clinic and Robertson Mobile Vet.
Source:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-ownership-and-insurance