Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a vet and understanding what your pet needs can bring up a lot of questions. Find answers to the most common questions our Brisbane clients ask about our services, clinics, house calls, costs, and more.
General Questions
Who are The House Call Vet?
The House Call Vet is a locally owned veterinary practice based in Brisbane, QLD. We offer three ways to care for your pet: mobile house call visits where our vets come to your home, in-clinic appointments at our Kenmore and Sunnybank veterinary clinics, and after-hours emergency care available seven days a week. Our team of experienced veterinarians and veterinary nurses provides everything from routine health checks and vaccinations through to surgery, diagnostics, dental care, and compassionate end-of-life support.
What types of animals do you treat?
We treat dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and a range of other exotic companion animals. Whether you have a brand new puppy, a senior cat, a chatty cockatiel, or a bearded dragon, our team has the experience and knowledge to provide the care they need. Each species has unique health requirements, and our vets are skilled at adapting their approach accordingly.
Where are your Brisbane vet clinics located?
We have two vet clinics in Brisbane.
- Our Kenmore Veterinary Clinic is at 2105 Moggill Road, Kenmore QLD 4069, serving Brisbane’s western suburbs including Indooroopilly, Chapel Hill, Toowong, and Fig Tree Pocket.
- Our Sunnybank Veterinary Clinic is at 11/128 Station Road, Sunnybank QLD 4109, serving the southside including Mount Gravatt, Wishart, Eight Mile Plains, and Carindale. Both clinics are fitted with modern diagnostic equipment, surgical theatres, and dental suites.
What are your opening hours?
We are open seven days a week, from 7am to midnight. This includes evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Whether you need a Saturday morning check-up, a Sunday vaccination, or late-night emergency advice, our team is available.
About House Calls & Mobile Vet Care
Can a vet come to my house in Brisbane?
Yes! Our mobile vet service brings professional veterinary care directly to your home anywhere across the Brisbane region.
House calls are available for general consultations, vaccinations, heartworm injections, blood tests, lump checks, ear, eye and skin assessments, arthritis injections, palliative care, and compassionate at-home euthanasia.
You can book a house call online through our website or by calling 1300 838 868.
What services can be done during a house call?
Our mobile vets carry a full range of equipment and can provide many of the same services available in-clinic.
During a house call, we can perform general health consultations and wellness checks, puppy and kitten vaccinations (C5 and F3 schedules), annual booster vaccinations, heartworm injections, blood tests and pathology collection, lump and skin assessments, ear and eye examinations, arthritis management and pain relief injections, palliative care for pets with chronic or terminal conditions, and compassionate at-home euthanasia.
For more complex procedures, such as dental work (which always requires anaesthesia), surgery, or diagnostics like x-rays, your pet will need to be seen at one of our clinics where we have the appropriate equipment and monitoring facilities. Most procedural treatments are completed in-clinic to ensure the highest level of safety and care. Our complimentary pet transport service is available to make this transition as smooth as possible.
What should I expect during a house call visit?
When you book a house call, our team will confirm a suitable time and provide you with an approximate arrival window. On the day, your vet will call ahead to let you know they are on their way. When they arrive, they will introduce themselves and spend some time getting to know your pet in a calm, relaxed setting. The consultation will follow the same thorough process as an in-clinic visit, including a physical examination and a discussion about your pet’s health, diet, and any concerns you have.
To help things go smoothly, we recommend keeping your pet in a confined area before the vet arrives (particularly cats), having a clear, well-lit space for the examination, and noting down any symptoms or questions you want to discuss. For more tips on preparing for your appointment, visit our pre-consult information page.
Why would I choose a house call over a clinic visit?
House calls are a wonderful option for pets who find car travel or waiting rooms stressful, elderly or anxious animals who are more comfortable in familiar surroundings, multi-pet households where transporting several animals to the clinic is impractical, owners with mobility limitations or busy schedules, and end-of-life care where being at home can provide greater comfort and peace for both the pet and the family.
Many of our clients tell us their pets are noticeably calmer during a house call compared to a clinic visit, which also allows our vets to observe your pet’s behaviour in their natural environment. This can sometimes reveal things that would not be obvious in a clinical setting.
Do you offer a pet transport service?
Yes. We offer a complimentary pet transport service for pets who need to attend one of our clinics for procedures such as surgery, dental work, or diagnostic imaging. We will pick your pet up from your home, bring them to the clinic for their procedure, and return them home afterwards at no additional cost. This takes the hassle out of organising drop-offs and pick-ups, especially on busy days.
Emergency & After-Hours Vet
Do you offer after-hours or emergency vet care in Brisbane?
Yes. We provide after-hours veterinary care seven days a week from 7am through to midnight, including weekends and public holidays. If your pet needs urgent attention in the evenings or on a weekend, our team is available for both emergency house calls and in-clinic treatment. Call us on 1300 838 868 for immediate assistance.
What should I do if my pet has a medical emergency?
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, the most important thing is to stay calm and call us straight away on 1300 838 868. Our team can provide specific advice over the phone while you arrange to bring your pet to one of our clinics or wait for our mobile vet to arrive.
- While you are waiting, keep your pet as still and warm as possible.
- Avoid moving them unnecessarily, especially if you suspect a fracture or spinal injury.
- Do not attempt home remedies as they can sometimes make things worse.
- If you have other pets in the household, move them to a separate area so the injured or unwell animal is not disturbed.
Common signs of a pet emergency include difficulty breathing, collapse or inability to stand, excessive bleeding, seizures, ingestion of a toxic substance, severe vomiting or diarrhoea (particularly if bloody), straining to urinate without producing urine, or sudden and severe pain.
Please note that after-hours care is provided exclusively through our mobile vet House Call service, as our clinics are not staffed outside of regular opening hours. Depending on your pet’s condition, we may dispatch a vet to your home or direct you to the most appropriate care option during business hours.
What are your after-hours service hours and when should I use it?
Our after-hours service is available every day from 6pm to midnight on weekdays, and from 2pm to midnight on weekends. This service is designed for pets who are unwell or need urgent veterinary attention outside of regular daytime hours, but are not in immediate life-threatening distress.
It’s designed for situations where you don’t want to wait until the next available daytime appointment, such as sudden illness, pain, vomiting, injuries, or concerning changes in behaviour.
During these hours, we provide both house call and in-clinic care depending on your pet’s condition and what’s most appropriate at the time.
About Pet Vaccinations
What vaccinations does my puppy need?
Puppies need a series of core vaccinations to build their immunity against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. The standard protocol in Australia is the C5 vaccination, which protects against canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and bordetella (kennel cough).
The typical schedule is a first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, a second booster at 10 to 12 weeks, and a third booster at 14 to 16 weeks. Until the full course is complete, it is best to avoid public areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been. After the initial puppy course, annual booster vaccinations are recommended to maintain protection.
Our vets will assess your puppy’s individual situation and create a personalised vaccination plan. Puppy vaccinations can be done at our clinics or during a house call visit.
What vaccinations does my kitten need?
Kittens require F3 vaccinations, which protect against feline panleukopaenia (also known as feline enteritis), feline calicivirus, and feline rhinotracheitis (cat flu).
The schedule is similar to puppies: a first vaccination at around 6 to 8 weeks, a booster at 10 to 12 weeks, and a final dose at 14 to 16 weeks.
Annual boosters are then recommended throughout your cat’s life. If your cat goes outdoors or will be staying in a cattery, your vet may also recommend an FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) vaccination.
Can vaccinations be done during a house call?
Absolutely. Vaccinations are one of the most popular services we provide during house calls. Our mobile vets carry the full range of canine and feline vaccines, and the process is identical to what you would experience in-clinic. It is a particularly good option for new puppies and kittens who have not yet completed their vaccination course, since it avoids exposure to other animals in a waiting room. Many of our clients find that getting vaccinations at home is also far less stressful for their pet.
How often does my adult pet need booster vaccinations?
After completing their initial puppy or kitten vaccination series, most pets need annual booster vaccinations to maintain their immunity. Your vet will recommend the most appropriate schedule based on your pet’s age, health, lifestyle, and risk factors. For example, dogs that regularly visit dog parks, boarding facilities, or interact with other dogs may benefit from more frequent kennel cough boosters. Indoor cats may have slightly different requirements to outdoor cats. During your pet’s annual health check, we will review their vaccination status and advise you on what is due.
About Pet Desexing
At what age should I get my pet desexed?
Most dogs and cats can be safely desexed from around 4 to 6 months of age. In some cases, particularly with certain large or giant dog breeds, your veterinarian may recommend waiting a little longer to support optimal musculoskeletal development.
The ideal timing depends on your pet’s breed, size, and individual health profile. During a consultation, our team will assess your pet and recommend the best timing for their desexing procedure.
What are the benefits of desexing my pet?
Desexing offers a range of health and behavioural benefits for your pet. For females, it significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumours and eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra), which can be life-threatening.
For males, it reduces the likelihood of prostate problems and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Behaviourally, desexed pets are generally less likely to roam, mark territory with urine, or display aggression related to hormonal drives. Desexing also helps reduce the number of unwanted litters, which is an important community responsibility.
What should I expect after my pet is desexed?
After a desexing procedure, your pet will typically be a little groggy from the anaesthetic for the first 12 to 24 hours. We will provide detailed aftercare instructions, but the key things to keep in mind are to keep your pet quiet and rested for 7 to 10 days, prevent them from licking or chewing the surgical site (a cone or recovery suit may be provided), check the incision daily for signs of redness, swelling, or discharge, and return for a follow-up check or stitch removal if advised. Most pets bounce back quickly and are back to their normal selves within a week or so. If you notice anything unusual during the recovery period, call us for advice.
About Pet Dental Care
Does my pet need dental care?
Yes. Dental disease is one of the most common health problems we see in dogs and cats, and it often develops silently over time.
Just like humans, pets can develop plaque and tartar build-up, gum disease, tooth decay, and infections that, if left untreated, can lead to pain, tooth loss, and even damage to the heart, kidneys, and liver.
Regular dental check-ups allow us to catch problems early and keep your pet’s mouth healthy.
How do I know if my pet has a dental problem?
Common signs that your pet may have a dental issue include persistent bad breath, difficulty eating or dropping food, drooling more than usual, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, visible tartar build-up (yellow or brown discolouration on the teeth), pawing at the mouth or face, loose or broken teeth, and reluctance to chew on toys or hard food. If you notice any of these signs, book a dental check so we can assess the situation and recommend treatment.
What does a professional dental cleaning involve?
A professional dental cleaning for your pet is performed under general anaesthesia to allow a thorough and pain-free examination and treatment of the entire mouth.
Every patient receives full-mouth dental x-rays at the start of the procedure. This is essential for assessing what’s happening below the gumline, including tooth roots and surrounding bone, which can’t be seen during a visual exam.
The procedure typically includes a full oral examination with probing around each tooth, dental x-rays, scaling to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gumline, and polishing to smooth the tooth surfaces and help slow future build-up.
Where appropriate, we can also perform advanced periodontal and restorative dental procedures aimed at preserving teeth, provided they are suitable to be saved. If any teeth are severely diseased, loose, or causing pain, extractions may still be recommended to protect your pet’s overall oral health.
Your pet is closely monitored throughout the entire procedure, and you’ll receive clear aftercare instructions along with any required pain relief or medications before they go home.
About Cost & Payments
How much does a vet visit cost in Brisbane?
We are committed to transparency and will always discuss costs with you before proceeding with any treatment. For a general guide to our consultation fees and service pricing, visit our Hours and Prices page. You are also welcome to call us on 1300 838 868 for more information.
Do you offer payment plans for vet bills?
Yes. We understand that vet bills can sometimes be unexpected, and we believe that cost should not be a barrier to your pet receiving the care they need.
We offer flexible payment plans through VetPay, Zip Pay, and Afterpay, which allow you to split the cost of your pet’s treatment into smaller, more manageable instalments.
Simply let our team know you would like to use a payment plan when you book or when you visit, and we will walk you through the options.
Do you accept pet insurance?
Yes, we work with GapOnly® pet insurance claims to make the process simpler and more affordable at the time of treatment. With GapOnly®, your vet can submit your insurance claim on your behalf while you’re still at the clinic or during your visit. This means you only need to pay the gap (the difference between your invoice and your eligible insurance benefit) upfront, rather than paying the full amount and waiting for reimbursement.
About Booking & Appointments
How do I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment in several ways. The quickest option is to use our online booking form on our website, where you can choose between a house call, an in-clinic visit at Kenmore or Sunnybank, or an after-hours consultation.
Note that submitting the online form is an appointment request, not a confirmed booking. Once received, our client care team will review your request and call you to confirm the appointment time and details.
You can also call us directly on 1300 838 868, or email our team at theteam@thcv.com.au.
What should I bring to my pet's appointment?
To make the most of your appointment, we recommend bringing any previous vaccination records or health history if this is your first visit with us, a list of any medications or supplements your pet is currently taking, a note of any symptoms, behavioural changes, or questions you want to discuss, a secure carrier for cats and small pets, and your pet on a leash if they are a dog. If your pet has been seen by another vet recently, it can be helpful to bring along or have forwarded any relevant test results or referral notes.
Do you offer telemedicine or phone consultations?
Yes. We offer telemedicine consultations for existing patients in situations where a physical examination may not be immediately required. This can include follow-up appointments, diet and nutrition advice, behavioural concerns, or triaging a condition to help determine whether an in-person visit is needed.
Please note that telemedicine consultations are only available for patients we have previously seen in person, as we need an established clinical history to provide safe and appropriate care.
Telemedicine consultations are conducted via video call and can be booked online through our dedicated telemedicine booking page.
Do you accept walk-ins or do I need to book ahead?
We recommend booking ahead whenever possible so we can allocate the right amount of time for your pet and minimise wait times.
However, we understand that urgent situations arise, and our clinics do accept walk-ins for pressing matters when availability allows. If your pet needs to be seen urgently and you have not booked, give us a call on the way and we will do our best to fit you in.
Palliative Care & Euthanasia
Do you offer at-home euthanasia?
Yes. We offer compassionate at-home euthanasia for pet owners who would prefer their pet to spend their final moments in the comfort and familiarity of home.
Our vets approach this service with the utmost sensitivity and care, ensuring your pet is calm, comfortable, and free from pain throughout the process. There is no rush. We move at your pace, and you are welcome to have family members present and to spend as much time with your pet as you need before, during, and after.
How do I know when it is time to say goodbye to my pet?
This is one of the hardest questions any pet owner faces, and there is no single right answer. As a general guide, you may want to consider your pet’s quality of life by asking whether they are still eating and drinking, whether they seem to enjoy their usual activities, whether they are in chronic pain that is not well managed by medication, and whether they have more bad days than good days.
If you are unsure, we strongly encourage you to book a consultation with one of our vets. We can perform a quality-of-life assessment and talk through your pet’s condition, prognosis, and options with you honestly and compassionately. This is a deeply personal decision, and our role is to give you the information and support you need to make the choice that feels right for your family.
What happens after euthanasia?
After euthanasia, we can arrange cremation services through a trusted local pet cremation provider. Options typically include communal cremation (where your pet is cremated alongside others and the ashes are not returned) or individual cremation (where your pet is cremated alone and the ashes are returned to you in an urn or container of your choosing).
Our team will gently walk you through these options at the appropriate time so you can make the decision that feels right for you. There is no pressure to decide immediately.