Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact you?
What locations do you serve?
What is your availability?
We are also available for emergencies Monday through Saturday 6 pm to 12 pm and on Sunday from 9 am to 12 pm.
What are our housecall fees?
The combination of the personal attention of a compassionate, skilled veterinarian and the non-stressful environment of your pet’s own home make a housecall appointment an outstanding value and most people are universally pleased and surprised with the affordability of this unique service.
Our housecall fee for scheduled appointments during regular business hours:
68.00 plus our travel fee
There is an additional 25.00 fee for same day, non-scheduled appointments
Travel fee:
Salt lake City and County: 30.00
For travel outside of Salt Lake County, an additional travel fee will be assessed based upon distance traveled.
What methods of payment do you accept?
How do I schedule an appointment?
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
As it relates to at home euthanasia for your pet, it is very important that feel that it is the right time for this decision. We completely understand if you need to cancel an end of life appointment and we will gladly accommodate and assist you with the timing of this difficult decision.
Why would I consider a house call veterinarian?
That being said, some of many reasons that a pet owner would chose to have a veterinary housecall include having geriatric pets that have limited mobility, multiple pets in their home or cats or dogs that get stressed when traveling. Additionally, when a pet is very young or is sick and debilitated, a housecall appointment is the ideal setting to reduce the risk of exposure to other sick animals that visit veterinary hospitals.
Our appointments are scheduled to fit our clients’ needs, not the other way around. Many of our appointments are conducted during evening and weekend hours when our clients have more free time.
A housecall appointment allows you to spend an extended period of time with the veterinarian which encourages the formation of a caring bond between you, your pet and the Doctor and fosters a trusting environment to address all of your concerns.
When the time comes to address the challenges and questions associated with end-of-life concerns, we feel that the home is the ideal setting to address hospice needs, in-home euthanasia and after care.
What to expect from a housecall
Time with the same Doctor
When we come to your home your will receive the personal, undivided attention from Dr. Packer. Many times when one goes to a traditional hospital, they see a different veterinarian and the visit may be rushed. Our goal is to provide a personal, caring experience for each of our patients and clients and the entire visit is conducted in the reassuring environment of your own home. No waiting rooms are involved.
Thorough Exams, Labwork & Diagnostics
During our visit, Dr. Packer with obtain a history and then conduct a thorough examination. He will explain to you what is going on and then will recommend appropriate diagnostic tests or treatments along with the cost of each. As a team, you will then make the decisions related to your pet’s diagnostic and treatment plan
Communication
We pride ourselves on maintaining an effective line of communication with our clients and patients and we encourage our clients to contact us with any concerns that they may have. We depend on our clients to be integral members of their pets’ healthcare team.
You can contact At Home Veterinary Care via phone at 801-205-4404 or via e-mail at dvm@slchomevet.com and we promise to respond to you as soon as possible.
In many instances, when you contact us, Dr. Packer may be at another client’s home and may not be able to respond immediately and we sincerely appreciate your patience. Normally speaking, you can usually expect us to get back with you on the same day.
After we have been to your home, we will call you with the results of any tests, will speak with you to see how things are going and recommend the next part of the plan for your pet. We will also provide you with reminders for preventative measures including vaccinations, annual examinations and any follow-up examinations. Additionally, if your pet is receiving ongoing care for any medical condition, we will regularly call you to check in with you to see how things are progressing with your pet.
Who do you refer us to if our pet needs more diagnostic tests or treatment than you can provide in the home?
If your pet needs diagnostic tests or care that we cannot provide, we will refer you to a local stationary hospital or specialist in our area depending upon the severity of your pet’s condition. If feasible, we will transport your pet to and from the hospital for specialized diagnostic and/or therapeutic measures. We will also work closely with the local hospital or specialist to coordinate your pet’s care to insure that your pet receives the best care possible.
If my pet needs medications, how do I get them?