Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9501040009
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 5 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: KAREN DAVIS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The house call may be making a comeback, at least for dogs and cats.
Dr. Ginny Tatum of Home Pet Vet in Vinton (343-2189) found her niche in the veterinary field serving multi-pet households, elderly clients, shut-ins, handicapped people and others who have difficulties driving their pets to a clinic.
Farm calls have long been the norm for livestock, of course, but not so for city cats and dogs. While some hospital-based veterinarians based do offer house call services to their small animal clients, Tatum has operated a small animal practice for the past year from her home that does house calls exclusively.
``Taxi drivers don't allow pets in their cars, so people without transportation have to rely on friends to take them to the vet,'' Tatum said.
The house call is a convenient and necessary service to these folks, as well as to those who work long or odd hours or who have several pets needing shots at the same time. Practices catering exclusively to people who need or want the convenience of the house call are more common in larger cities, where the inconveniences of big-city life, such as constant traffic congestion, may inhibit some pet owners from visiting the veterinary clinic.
Because some animals are skittish about riding in cars, a home visit benefits them in more ways than one, particularly older pets that get easily stressed.
``Seeing the animal's environment can aid in diagnosing the condition,'' Tatum said, particularly when dealing with a suspected allergy. ``I can see what kind of food they're getting. I can also spend more time working on some behavioral problems better in the home setting.''
Tatum's practice serves mainly cats, dogs and small mammals, no reptiles or birds. From her fully stocked vehicle she has the equipment to provide routine check-ups, vaccinations, heartworm checks, chemotherapy, euthanasia, lab work and grooming services. She also can suture lacerations and do some dental work, if only a little sedation is required. But for procedures that require anesthesia or that cannot otherwise be dealt with on site, Tatum refers the client to a veterinary clinic.
When a client calls, ``I determine whether the situation can be handled at the home,'' Tatum said. She refers after-hours emergencies to the on-call hospital.
Tatum said she works mostly evenings and weekends, when it is more convenient for the client. For the convenience of the house visit, Tatum charges just $15, in addition to the examination fee and/or other charges, which are comparable to those at area clinics. She offers a discount when seeing three or more animals.
Dr. Everett Heath has operated Home Veterinary Care (804-845-8204), a house call practice in Lynchburg, for about seven years. He describes his business as ``wellness care'' for cats and dogs.
A house call practice cannot generate as much income as an animal hospital, he said, ``because you can't see as many animals in a day, due to the travel time involved. But the overhead is low. The situation may suit some veterinarians who are either at the end of their careers, like I am, or at the beginning of their careers and wanting to be home with their families more.'' Before moving to Lynchburg, Heath taught at the University of Illinois' veterinary school. Now, he sees between two and 10 clients per day and works some weekends, but no evenings.
At least two house call practices operate in the New River Valley - Blue Ridge Veterinary House Calls (951-4885) run by Dr. Penny Livesay, and Seven Seas Veterinary Services (552-5552) in Blacksburg, operated by Dr. Keath Marx.
Marx, an ex-sailor, treats exotic animals exclusively, covering a lot of territory from Bedford to Wytheville and into West Virginia. He has operated his house call practice from a mobile unit for more than five years, calling on clients who have exotic cats, birds, emus, ostriches, reptiles, buffalo, goldfish, tropical fish and even bear.
The house call is especially appropriate in an exotic animal practice, he said, because ``it can be very stressful to exotics, particularly for birds, to move them from their environment. The animals benefit in two ways: They experience less stress, plus I get to see where they live. Most of the problems with exotics stem from improper housing and nutrition.''
This is the final Pet Podium column. Karen L. Davis, who has written for this newspaper since 1981, will be pursuing other interests.
by CNB