Incredible At-Home Services for Pets

Posted by Neilstark on December 10th, 2020

In this busy day and age, and especially with Covid 19, people are looking for alternative ways to deal with services for their dogs and cats.  Seniors who do not drive are always eager to find alternatives to getting to the veterinarian or groomers. Surprisingly there are many options for your furry family member.

There are mobile veterinarians that provide services like vaccinations, yearly checkups and end of life care including euthanasia. I’ve worked with Dr. Sherri Dennett (Riverside South Animal Hospital and Dennett Mobile Services) on quite a few at home euthanasias and it is a peaceful way for a beloved companion to cross over the rainbow bridge. I personally had a terrible experience at a local Ottawa veterinarian clinic when my kitty Prudence crashed. After inquiring about euthanasia the vet said give me 5 minutes. I thought he was sedating my kitty so that I could hold her for the end of life treatment, but to my shock and horror he came back with my deceased kitty in a cooler for me to take with me. Since that day, I vowed never to do an in-clinic euthanasia again. In the time since, both my dogs, and my mother’s cat have had the opportunity to die at home, where they are fundamentally more comfy and relaxed. The process is peaceful and loving vs. clinical. I highly recommend this for my client’s pets as it is a nice way to say goodbye to a beloved companion animal.

In-home grooming is also great. I have a few clients with medical conditions that makes it difficult for them to get to the groomers so there are mobile services available in Ottawa. I work most closely with Meghan at Posh Puppies, although they have a store front, she enjoys doing in home grooms for special need clients and pets. She is truly excellent with seniors and senior pets. She did my two dogs for years!

Other services like injections, Sub-Q fluids and pills can be handled by a vet tech or pet sitter (if trained). I personally have a lot of medical cats and dogs on my rounds including kidney failure, diabetes, among other illnesses and have been lucky enough to be involved with some animal drug trials which I find incredibly interesting. With Sub-Q fluids I use a unique a quick approach vs. using the IV bag and Baxter set. If the fluids are in low enough quantities a very large syringe and a child’s butterfly clip can be used. It is less stressful on kitties and takes about 45 seconds vs. 20 minutes with a drip.

I am a big user of in home services and I highly encourage others in this area. It takes the ouch out of going to the clinic when the clinic comes to you.

Of course for emergencies, XRAYS, and other diagnostics, clinics are the place to go!