Dog Docs on Wheels: What to Know About Mobile Vets & Services for Older Pups in the Arlington Area

You may have seen our previous blog post about vet options in Arlington, but have you ever wondered whether mobile vets were a good fit for your pup? Mobile vets, where the vet comes to your home to deliver care, can be a good option for older dogs or those that get very anxious going to the vet, and may feel more comfortable in their own environment. Curious about exploring this option and want to know more about what vets service the Arlington area? We outline a few options below:

• At Home Veterinary is based in Natick and includes Arlington as part of their extended service area. Note that there may be more limited availability and the house call fee per visit is $130. They offer annual exams, vaccinations, sick/injured pet care, bloodwork, diagnostics, medication administration, and hospice care. Emergency care is based on availability. Procedures involving anesthesia, surgery or dental care are not offered. Annual wellness exams cost $85 and vaccinations are $44 each. There are two vets on staff, and they are available M-Sat, with specific hours varying based on day and location. Typically, later weekday appointments are open on Thurs. Phone: 508-653-4300

• Autumn Care & Crossings is based in Medford and serves the greater Boston area. There is one vet on staff, and she specializes in hospice care for older pets. While it can be tough to think about, most pups face challenges as they age and this type of specialized care may help both pups and their humans cope with chronic or terminal illnesses. Specific specialties include geriatric care and pain management, hospice and palliative care, and end of life care. Appointments are scheduled on a case-by-case basis. To read more about living with older pets and caring for your own well-being when living with an aging pet too, take a look at the Autumn Care & Crossing blog. Phone: 781-874-9477

• Sleepy Dog Vet is a new vet office that recently opened in Arlington. While they aren’t a mobile option, they do focus on alternative medicine and quality of life care using a holistic approach. Services include acupuncture, cold laser for pain and inflammation, palliative care, herbal medicine, nutrition, and end of life care/grief counseling. The practice helps elderly pets and those with chronic disease in particular, but preventative treatment and diet plans are also available to maintain a pup’s optimal health. One vet is on staff - read more about her on Sleepy Dog’s blog. Phone: 781-643-2162

As your dog reaches their senior years, it’s very important to be sure you have a good relationship with your veterinarian. Your pet may start to behave differently as they age and their needs may change. Here at Blue Sky Dogs, we work with a number of older pups and are sure to tailor all of our walks to meet their needs. Check out our various services here!

Because Your Pup Can’t Tell You What’s Wrong: Arlington Vet Options

We all want to keep our pets as happy and healthy as they can be, and that’s where the important task of choosing a veterinarian comes in. There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to deciding which vet is right for you and your furry friend, but here are some things to consider as you start searching:

• If possible, it can be a good idea to visit the vet’s office before picking a vet. Make sure you and your pet feel comfortable there! While it might be normal for your pet to be wary and stressed, it’s important to ensure the staff is at least able to perform a basic examination.

• Don’t be afraid to ask your vet a lot of questions and keep the lines of communication open. Regular check-up appointments are critical so your vet can monitor your pup’s health and employ preventative measures that will keep your pup in great shape.

• Since costs can vary based on each individual pup’s needs, it is key to ask up front for price estimates when making appointments to avoid any surprises. As an example, if you recently adopted a female pup and are looking into the cost of having her spayed, we found that the average price is around $500. However, this price can vary depending on various factors, including whether the pup is up to date on vaccinations and has had bloodwork completed recently, whether you want a microchip, and what the age and size is of your pup (generally, the older and larger the dog, the higher the cost will be).

So, what options are there for vets in the Arlington area? We’ve outlined them here to help make the decision a little easier:

• Located at 191 Broadway in Arlington, Arlington Animal Clinic has four vets on staff and offers surgery, juvenile and wellness care, dentistry, diagnostics, nutritional counseling, daytime emergency care, and parasite control. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $70. The office is open M-F 8am-6pm and Sat 8am-12pm. Phone: 781-646-0758

• Located at 1183 Mass Ave in Arlington, Millbrook Animal Clinic has three vets on staff. They offer surgery, wellness care, dentistry, behavioral medicine, pain management, senior care, ultrasound, x-rays, acupuncture, nutritional counseling, and parasite control. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $50. The office is open M-Th 8am-6pm, F 8am-5pm, and Sat 8am-1pm. Phone: 781-643-1500

• Located at 637 High St in Medford, Looby Veterinary Group has six vets on staff and offer a range of medical, dental, and surgical services. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $74. The office is open M-Th 7:30am-7:30pm, F 7:30am-5pm, and Sat 7:30am-12pm. Phone: 781-488-4789

• Located at 15 Flanders Rd in Belmont, Fresh Pond Animal Hospital has six vets on staff and offer annual preventative care, day-time emergency care, diagnostics, dental care, x-ray, ultrasound, surgery, and acupuncture. The average cost for an exam with a vet is $65.The office is open M-F 7am-8pm, Sat 8am-4pm, and Sun 9am-3pm. Phone: 617-484-155

Be sure to visit the websites for each of these vets too, as they all offer a wealth of resources to help you learn about pet health care, including information on referral hospitals for emergency care outside of regular office hours. The vets listed above also offer services that make it easy for you to get the medications you need for your pup, whether that be an in-house pharmacy or online ordering. Most vets now offer online pet portals as well, so you can request appointments online and view all of your pet’s health records in one place!