Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (614) 457-8761.
What are the benefits of your housecall service?
The benefits are many. During a veterinary housecall, your pets can be
evaluated in their natural environment, without the stress and excitement
of a hospital visit. You and your pets are Dr. Taylor's only focus during
the visit. There are no interruptions, so your pets receive thorough,
unhurried examinations. These factors all contribute to a more accurate
diagnosis. There is no waiting in a roomful of sick animals, so your pets'
exposure to disease will be significantly decreased. We offer evening
and weekend hours and will do everything we can to schedule your appointment
at a time that is convenient for you.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please be prepared to leave a detailed message when you call the HouseCalls
office at (614) 457-8761. Our voicemail is monitored Monday through Friday
from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Calls
are returned within one business day, and usually within a couple of hours.
Appointment times are arranged based on the urgency of your pet's problem,
your availability, and our schedule. We usually see patients Tuesday through
Saturday, and late evening appointments are often available.
What is the cost?
We strive to keep housecall services affordable. In order to help us do
so, we request that you make full payment at the time of service. Our
prices are similar to, and often less than, the prices at traditional
veterinary clinics. We charge a travel fee for each visit, which varies
depending on your distance from our home office in northwest Columbus,
Ohio. This fee ranges from $30 to $60, and is charged only once per visit,
no matter how many pets you have. We are happy to split our travel fees
for neighbors who wish to schedule their appointments together.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
What should I do to prepare for the visit?
For cats, we recommend closing closet, bedroom, and basement doors. If
your cats are very timid, we may recommend that you confine them to a
room without much furniture, such as a bathroom, so that we won't have
to remove them from hiding places. For most dogs, there is no preparation
required.
What services are available at home?
We are able to provide most medical services at home. This includes an
examination, consultation, preventive care, diagnostics such as blood
work and urinalysis, and many other services. Click
here for a more detailed list.
Are there any services not available at home?
Yes. We do not provide urgent emergency care, hospitalization, or imaging
services (such as x-rays, ultrasound, or endoscopy), nor do we perform
surgeries (such as spaying, neutering, declawing or dental cleaning).
These services are readily available 24 hours a day at our partner hospitals.
We may be able to help you determine whether your pets require these services.
If they do, we will help you choose an appropriate location, and we will
work together with the hospital you choose to give your pets coordinated
care, both in the hospital and at home.
What should I do if I have an emergency?
24-hour care is available at local emergency clinics including the Emergency
Room at MedVet (click here)
at (614) 846-5800, and Capital Veterinary Referral & Emergency
Center (click here) at (614) 870-0480.
There are numerous other hospitals that can accommodate urgent problems
as well, including the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
(click here) at
(614) 292-3551, and possibly your neighborhood clinic.
What vaccinations do my pets need?
Vaccinations protect pets from deadly diseases such as parvo, distemper,
and Feline Leukemia. But vaccinations also carry significant risk. For
decades, most veterinarians recommended giving several vaccines to every
animal every year. At HouseCalls for Dogs & Cats, we believe there
is a better way. No one protocol is appropriate for every dog or cat.
That's why Dr. Taylor will work together with you to formulate a healthcare
plan that is specifically designed for your pet. Factors to be considered
include your pet's age, lifestyle and risk factors, the general health
of all pets in your household, your preferences, cost effectiveness, and
any special human health considerations in your household. For example,
recommendations will change if there are young children or immunosuppressed
adults in your household.
Can euthanasia be done at home?
Making the decision to put your pet to sleep is heart-wrenching, but the
euthanasia procedure itself doesn't have to be. Putting your pet to sleep
at home spares you and your pet the stress, fear, difficulty, and discomfort
of the transportation to a cold, sterile hospital. Instead, you can spend
your last minutes together in the comfort and serenity of your pet's favorite
place.
What will happen during the euthanasia appointment?
There is no special preparation necessary for your pet or home. When we
arrive, we will spend a few minutes talking about your pet's specific
situation, answering your questions about the procedure, and discussing
the options for aftercare. When everyone is ready, we will go to your
pet at a spot that is comfortable and non-threatening. This can be just
about anywhere you decide: your lap, your pet's bed, or even outside under
a favorite tree. The euthanasia itself involves an intravenous injection
of a very concentrated anesthesia drug. In many cases, we give a sedating
shot first, to avoid any stress or discomfort while the IV is being administered.
For cats, we always use a sedating shot; for dogs, a decision is made
based on your pet's specific condition and disposition. After the procedure
is completed, we will take your pet with us for delivery to the cremation
service of your choice, unless you prefer to handle the arrangements yourself.
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