CALL US: 813-444-3020
HOW DOES A HOUSECALL VISIT WORK?
We are excited to meet you and your two- and four-legged family members and are truly grateful you have chosen us as your pet’s health care provider. Because we are a strictly mobile service, our “appointments” are probably unlike any you’ve ever experienced! We take as much time as needed to get to know you and your pets and your approach to health care, as well as share with you our knowledge in a collaborative manner.
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Each pet and family are unique, and we strive to treat them as such. Because we are on the road, you will be given an estimated arrival window that is typically an hour in length. Expect the actual appointment to take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes per pet.
We want to get to know you and your family inside and out and appreciate flexibility in scheduling. Emergencies occasionally arise or we experience travel delays, and we will do our best to let you know if our arrival window changes. Likewise, we require 24 hours notice if you need to cancel your appointment and reserve the right to charge a travel fee of $65 if this policy is overlooked.
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before your appointment
To prepare for your upcoming appointment, please fill out any forms and consents sent to your email by HIVE. Have any medical history available prior to the visit and have records emailed to hive@hivehealthcare.org. It is extremely important you tell us if there any behavioral concerns like aggression, fear, or anxiety at the time your appointment is scheduled. We are a Fear Free Practice and will develop a safe and collaborative approach to your pet's first visit.
It is helpful to withhold food for 12 hours before the appointment so we can shower them with treats and in case we need a fasted blood sample. Dogs and cats should be tested annually for intestinal parasites, so please have a fresh fecal sample ready (a small marble-sized sample is plenty). Should your pet need urine testing, you can have a first-morning sample “caught” and available in a small, clean, refrigerated container; for cats, please pick up the litter box three hours before our visit so we can retrieve a sample. Tips for collecting a sample are here. Please include any medications, diet, or supplements your pet takes, as well as any behavior concerns when sharing your pet’s medical background.
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at your appointment
We will text or call you when we are on our way. Our car looks like a regular SUV (sorry to disappoint!); and we will knock gently on arrival. It is extremely important that your pet is available for his/her exam! The most social of animals have a way of “disappearing” just before their visit. Please have cats secured in a bathroom or other area where they are comfortable but cannot hide. Keep them hungry please; we love to treat our patients. Our examinations typically take place where you and your pet are most comfortable; usually, we are sitting on a carpeted floor down at your pet’s level and bring any supplies we need to complete medical evaluation. A towel or familiar blanket may be requested to keep your pet comfortable. Please minimize any other distractions; a quiet, calm environment helps us accurately evaluate your loved one.
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after the exam
If laboratory tests are run, you will receive an email or follow-up phone call with the results as soon as they are available. We are also able to share results with your existing veterinarian and believe in an open line of communication. Likewise, we will share any receipts and medical records needed for insurance submission, to have on hand in case of an emergency, or to submit to the country for a rabies tag. We will also leave you any written prescriptions or medication, if needed.
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Sometimes, we will need a follow-up visit if it is determined a pet needs calming medication prior to an exam or a recheck for an existing problem. We will schedule your next visit and take payment for services rendered.
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follow up
You'll hear from us periodically about relevant pet news, discounts, service reminders and prescription refills. Please add hive@hivehealthcare.org to your email contact list so we don't end up in a junk email folder. Also, keep in touch! We want to know if there are any changes to your pet's health, good news, photos, and local pet-friendly recommendations. We appreciate your referrals and google reviews!