What can be done at a house call?

Many veterinary services can be performed at home: examinations, vaccinations, medical grooming services (including nail trims), and assorted diagnostic procedures (depending upon the patient). I now have tests to use for determining if a cat has pancreatitis (these are quick tests that I can do at my home laboratory). I can check a cat's blood pressure at home, and this may be more accurate than the pressure obtained at a hospital (because stress elevates blood pressure). High blood pressure is predominantly a problem of geriatric cats.

Why have a house call?

Some cats are horrible travelers: They pant, scream, vomit, urinate, or defecate en route. Some are difficult to catch, or to put in a carrier. Some will attack other cats in the house who smell different (after a visit to a veterinarian's office). And there's the obvious (human) reason not to travel: no car. (Chances are it is less expensive to have a home visit than to take a cat to the veterinarian's office by taxi.) Usually a home visit is lower stress for the owner and the cat. Of course, some cats are great travelers. With these cats you have the option of taking them to a standard veterinary hospital (I know and like several local veterinarians), or having them examined with their more nervous siblings. (I do offer a discount for multiple cats examined at the same visit.)

What if I have an emergency?
I may be able to help, but if you can't reach me, a good place to try is Northstar Vets (609-259-8300). Another good option (sometimes less busy) is BluePearl Pet Hospital in Langhorne, PA , (215)-750-2774.