If you live in West Los Angeles, a mobile veterinarian may be just what you need to get the most from your pet’s medical care. Not only do mobile vets offer the convenience of skipping the LA traffic, they also provide you and your pet with productive, low-stress appointments in the comfort of your own home.

In a large metropolitan area like West Los Angeles, you have many options when it comes to choosing a vet. We’ve covered why you should select an independent vet over a corporate practice. Now, Dr. Kent, owner and sole practitioner of Elite Veterinary Care, has all the answers you need to determine whether a mobile vet is right for you.

Dr. Kent, what areas of Los Angeles do you serve?

My team and I offer veterinary house calls in West Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, Westwood, Culver City, Brentwood, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Cheviot Hills, Palms, Playa Del Rey, and Beverly Hills.

How does working as a mobile vet allow you to better serve your clients?

Number one is time. I’m able to spend 20 to 30 quality minutes with each patient, depending on drive time. And when I say quality, I’m talking about the drastic difference between seeing a pet in a home versus a clinic.

he Tpet’s home is an intimate setting, free from distractions and added stressors. This is more comfortable for the pet and the owner, allowing them to ask questions and listen to my responses in a relaxed atmosphere where they can better absorb what I’m saying and actively take part in their pet’s care.

And while we’re on the subject of time, I offer appointments from 8 am to 5 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays to work around even the busiest schedules. I can even add last-minute bookings for patients in need of urgent care.

There’s also more trust and transparency in-home visits, as everything we do is in front of the clients. This eliminates the anxiety and secretiveness of taking the pet “to the back,” of the clinic for certain services.

Do home visits allow you to make better use of appointment time than office visits?

In a clinic setting, schedules rarely run on time. There are unexpected emergencies, sick pets in the back, appointments running late, etc. Not to mention the ringing phones, barking dogs, and general hustle and bustle that comes with a busy veterinary practice.

I worked in clinics for more than 30 years before becoming an exclusively mobile veterinarian. In that time I learned all the pitfalls of in-office appointments, which helped me tailor my protocols and methods to better serve my clients, and especially, their cats and dogs.

Every client receives an email from me letting them know exactly what to do to prepare for their appointment. This ensures we make the best use of our time together. For example, I ask that they gather all food, treats, and medications so I can evaluate them during the visit. If it’s the first time I’m seeing the pet, I also have them collect their veterinary records for the past three years so I have a thorough history to work with.

So much time is spent in traditional clinics filling out forms, trying to remember what food your pet eats, waiting for the receptionist to enter your info into the computer, and answering questions for the technician before the vet ever sees your dog or cat. With carefully planned and scheduled mobile visits, all that is taken care of before I ever arrive at your home.

What can you learn about your patients from a home visit that you can’t in an office setting?

I get to see exactly how they live. This is especially beneficial for senior cats and dogs. With cats, I can see their food, water, and litter box set-up. This can help identify the cause of all kinds of medical and behavioral issues from house soiling to poor appetite. Small changes to the home setup can make a huge difference in an animal’s physical and mental well-being, so it’s very rewarding.

Home visits are also ideal for new puppies and kittens. I get to see everything they are eating, where they are sleeping, every toy they are playing with, and make recommendations accordingly.

How do you handle challenging cases? Wouldn’t it be easier to deal with aggressive dogs and cats in a clinic with extra staff and equipment at your disposal?

Actually, it’s quite the opposite. The more fearful the pet, the better off they are at home. In fact, I have found that many dogs and cats classified as difficult or aggressive, do just fine with a mobile visit.

I have all cat parents corral their kitties into a small bathroom before I arrive to keep them from running off or hiding. When my two technicians and I get there, we gently wrap the cat in a towel, a safe, Fear Free method of handling. We then move them to a counter or table, where we chat with the owner, pet the cat, and offer some tasty treats. It’s all very relaxed.

In my experience, 90% of cats do great just being in their own home with their owner close by. Of the 10% that are frightened or aggressive, only about 3% require anti-anxiety medications to take the edge off. But if that’s the case, I’m happy to come back in a few hours or even reschedule for another day to ensure the cat is safe, calm, and as happy as possible during my visit.

I can even have transdermal sedatives called in for kitties that won’t take oral medicine. All you have to do is rub a bit of paste on the hairless part of the ear.

With fearful dogs, we are often able to warm them up with treats and pets. Dogs are very affected by scent, so avoiding the overwhelming odors they are exposed to in a clinic setting makes a big difference in their peace of mind. They also have their beloved owners nearby for comfort and encouragement in their home, the place where they feel safest.

Some dogs do better with medication. For these pups, I pre-dispense medications and instruct the owner on when to give them prior to our appointment.

How does the cost of mobile vet services in Los Angeles compare to regular veterinary practices?

Choosing a mobile vet is more expensive because travel fees are rolled into the cost of the exam. A $225 in-home exam with Elite Veterinary includes a thorough review of your pet’s previous records, a detailed medical history, and a complete physical exam of the ears, eyes, teeth, skin, lymph nodes, abdominal organs, auscultation of heart and lungs, and evaluation of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

Our other fees are fairly comparable to other West Los Angeles veterinary practices, and we can do just about everything an in-clinic vet can do, including:

Vaccines
Microchip implantation
Blood, urine, and stool collection for lab analysis
Skin scraping
Ear cytology
Deworming
Allergy shots
Subcutaneous fluid therapy
And more

We can even perform minor procedures with topical and local anesthetic, such as searching for foxtails and lancing abscesses.

Are there any services you cannot offer as a mobile vet?

Things such as spay/neuter procedures, dental cleanings, X-rays, ultrasound imaging, and hospitalization for critically ill pets require a brick-and-mortar facility. Luckily, with decades of experience in the Los Angeles area, I have several trusted colleagues I refer my patients to, including urgent care vets, specific dental practices, behaviorists, surgeons, and specialists of all kinds.

What is your favorite thing about being a mobile vet?

I love new puppy and kitten visits! I saw so many new pups during the Covid pandemic. It’s such a great opportunity to educate clients and ensure that the pet’s life starts off on the right foot. Not only is it a chance to establish a wonderful relationship with the client, but it also allows me to discuss all the ups and downs of raising a pet.

I typically visit my puppy and kitten patients three times in their first year of life. During those appointments, I give their vaccines, deworm them, and make all kinds of recommendations on everything from diet and play, to potty/litter box training and behavioral training.

I also love working with senior pets in the home. Again, it’s an opportunity to make a huge difference in their lives. I can greatly improve their comfort and well-being with little tweaks to the environment and aging care such as physical therapy, appetite stimulation, and osteoarthritis treatment.

What sets you apart from other mobile veterinarians in the West Los Angeles area?

Well, there are a few chains offering mobile vet services in the LA area. While I can’t speak to the quality of their services, they may not be quite as accessible or responsive to their clients as an independent mobile vet.

As the only veterinarian at Elite Veterinary Care, you never have to worry about explaining the same concerns to different doctors. You will always see the same vet - me! Even when I’m not there in your home, I am always available to my clients through email, phone, or virtual consultation. In fact, many of my clients have been with me for decades and consider me a trusted friend, not just their veterinarian.

Ready to book your first in-home visit with Dr. Kent? Click here!

Choosing A Mobile Veterinarian In West Los Angeles