Vehicle Tips

Vehicle Type

A survey by the AAHV found that vehicles used by house call veterinarians included pickups, vans, sport-utility vehicles, motorhomes, station wagons, and sports cars, as well as mobile veterinary units. The specific vehicle you choose is not as important as its features. Two important considerations are comfort and storage space. A vehicle that prevents outsiders from seeing its contents will provide some protection against theft, and will shield the contents from direct sunlight. Since you will be spending a lot of time driving, it is worthwhile to splurge on little comforts like air conditioning or cruise control, and a driver’s seat with multiple adjustments.
 

The Mobile Clinic

Have you considered using a mobile clinic? There are many reasons to do so, but the main ones can be summarized in two words: Surgery, and Independence.

Mobile clinics offer these advantages:

• You can perform a wider variety of services, including surgery, without being dependent upon another facility.
• You can bring more equipment with you to each location.
• You can perform some lab work while you are still with the client.
• When the interior of the home does not offer a desirable location to perform certain procedures, you have an alternative place to take the animal for that procedure. (e.g., draining a pus-filled abscess).
• You can permanently store much of your supplies and equipment, keeping them neater and more easily accessible than they would be in a car.
• You have room to set up a computer and office space.

Mobile clinics may have disadvantages and cautions:

• Check with your state licensing board for specific regulations regarding mobile facilities.
• Check with your insurance companies to be sure the unit and its contents are adequately covered, and that liability for animals treated in the unit is covered.
• Make sure you have a secure place to park the unit. Some apartments do not allow commercial vehicles. Some home-owning neighbors may object to a large commercial vehicle on the street. Zoning may allow for a simple home office, but not for a large mobile unit.
• You may reduce the number of referrals you get from stand-alone clinics, since they now view you as competition rather than an alternative type of service.
• Carefully lay out your cash flow forecast, business plan, and budget to be sure you will recoup your investment. Unlike fixed practices, mobile units don’t increase in value over time, and you cannot be as efficient as you would in a hospital, because of driving time.
• Decide whether you are ready for the much larger financial and business commitment that a mobile unit involves. If you aren’t sure about how well your house call practice will do, or how much you’ll like it, start out with a simple service using your current automobile, and wait to purchase a mobile unit until you are sure about your future plans.

Where to purchase a mobile unit

Mobile facilities are sold by several different companies (see Appendix for contact information). LaBoit and Dodgen are two that cater to house call veterinarians. Both offer excellent service and support for their customers, so your decision will rest upon choosing the specific unit you prefer. Both bring their units to every large veterinary meeting. You may be able to find a used model for a discount.

State laws

Some states have strict regulations about mobile practice vehicles, including a requirement for regular inspections. Contact your state veterinary association and read your state’s veterinary practice act to find out the case where you live. Contact your state or county business license department to find out about regulations regarding parking in public or commercial (parking-lot) areas.
 

Vehicle Specifics

Storage in your vehicle

Any vehicle can be modified for use in a house call practice. Storage of your drugs and equipment can be done using a custom-made insert or simply by using an assortment of rubber containers (milk crates, Rubbermaid containers, etc.). (See Appendix under “veterinary office supplies” for catalog of handy items for mobile offices).
Both large and small animal practitioners can use the pickup inserts made by such companies as Bowie. Ask about reconditioned units and about a lease plan. A lease will cost more overall but may decrease your initial cost; however, so will a loan. Take out a business loan if you plan to use the insert long-term. Leasing makes sense if you plan frequent upgrades, aren’t sure if you will like the unit, or may change the type of unit you use. To get a good look at your options, attend a large regional veterinary meeting and spend a lot of time in the exhibit hall. Also look at pickup and car inserts that are not made specifically for veterinarians, but for any business that requires vehicle storage.
What should you carry in your vehicle? At the minimum you will need the items necessary for a physical exam: stethoscope, thermometer, and ophthalmoscope / otoscope. You also need needles, syringes, blood tubes, microscope slides, and basic injectable medications.
Optional are a microscope, oral medications, topicals, and prescription foods. You will need a good supply of your paperwork (invoices, blank client records, laboratory forms, your brochure, business card and so on). To decide what you need in the vehicle, imagine your step-by-step approach to various scenarios: the new puppy exam; the sick geriatric pet exam; the pet with diarrhea or vomiting; the itchy dog; the cat with hair loss; and so on.
In addition to in-vehicle storage, you will need one container with a handle that you can use to bring items from the auto into the home. The standard black doctor’s bag is convenient and gives a good image, but is very expensive. A fishing tackle box, tool box, or other storage box with a handle might do just as well.
You will need a cooler to store refrigerated items. Keep containers of blue ice in your freezer. Be sure to have enough of them to swap out the defrosted ones for fresh frozen packets. Put your 25 refrigerated drugs in baggies or small plastic containers so that the moisture doesn’t wear off the labels.
You may want to make your own “desk” for your laptop computer and printer. These might be located in the passenger seat, or in a swing-out tray at the rear of the vehicle.

Vehicle security

Be sure you have adequate locks on your vehicle, and that you remember to lock the vehicle whenever you leave it. Even areas that have “low crime” can still have crime, from a mischievous teenager to someone looking for drugs. Also, law requires you to keep certain drugs locked up.
Be sure to put a spare key somewhere on the vehicle (with a magnet holder or velcro) in case you lock yourself out. Safer yet, put the spare key in something you always carry out of the car with you (your doctor’s bag) so it isn’t on the vehicle. Some house call veterinarians recommend that you not put your practice name on the vehicle, for security reasons.

Use of your driving time

One drawback to house call practice is the amount of time you spend in your car. Use that driving time effectively! Some ideas:
Get a cell phone and call back clients to follow up on treatment outcomes.
Schedule appointments using your cell phone.
Listen to audio books: novels, CE, self-help, or business. (Most libraries now carry a great selection of audio books, with many downloadable onto your computer. You can also rent them from some video outlets, so you don’t have to purchase them).

Traffic concerns

If you offer house call services in an urban area, consider building your schedule around commuters’ hours to avoid becoming caught in traffic jams. When making appointments, ask about parking arrangements to ensure you aren’t stuck walking several blocks with your doctor’s bag.

Fuel costs

The cost of gas continues to rise! What’s a house call veterinarian to do? Respond as does any other business: Pass the cost along to your customers. This is one of many reasons it is essential to regularly review, revise, and raise your fees. Your business has costs and they must be paid through your income.