Home visit Vet vs Office Vet

When my adopted cat was ready for her 1st yearly exam, I found a very highly rated vet online who only makes home visits for $100. I thought that was great so I wouldn't have to scare my girl so much in a rental car trip or on the subway (i'm in NYC!) 

The home visit was probably just as stressful because the cat ran all over the apt trying to get away and was still scared with the strangers. 

The vet did a quick physical and gave her a rabies shot. She said she was free of ear mites but had very red gums for a 2 year old but no plaque or tarter. She also didn't really address that my cat always sounds stuffy and snores loudly which I worry is a breathing issue. 

When I asked what to do about the dental issue, the vet didn't have a recommended office to take her into to follow up on the teeth. 

I felt rushed without answers when she left. 

6 months later my cat is still scratching and shaking her head lot's when touched by her ears. If she was clear of ear mites and fleas I worry what this could be. 

Her gums are still very red despite me giving her dental chews and some attempts to brush her teen (she hates it!)

I feel bad switching vets, but really felt left hanging with many of my questions. I feel that i'd rather have a vet who can actually weigh my cat and has access to needed testing or imaging when needed. It also left my cat timid in our house for weeks after. 

What do you all think about a home visit vet vs an office? Good or bad? 

It doesn't sound like this vet knows what they're doing.. especially if they don't have an office to recommend. that's a red flag for me.

While I think home visits are great in certain situations, like yours.. a vet's office is properly equipped with everything they need.

I would not want a vet who did not have medical facilities available to them. Home visits can work for some pets AND people (like those who have disabilities that make transport difficult, or very elderly persons) but the vet needs to be able to transport and/or refer the pet to actual facilities if needed.

Your vet sounds like they have no such thing...sounds like they do this to save overhead. Fine, but when it comes to my pets I will pay for some overhead. I also would not feel any guilt in switching vets to get better care. I also doubt your vet will even notice.

My new cat went for her first health check last week with a vet who only works with cats. The vet was gentle, reassuring, and very thorough. Addressed everything from nose to tail, and is even wise on proper feline nutrition (rare!). Sure, transporting her there sucks but I know she got excellent care. She goes back today for her spay...poor girl...but I have great trust in the vet AND the facilities.

It really depends on the home vet.  I have a friend who just opened her own mobile veterinary clinic about 2 years ago.  She is doing awesome, she has a vet she contracts with who does her home visits, as well as surgeries,  hospitalizations and such.  A lot of mobile clinics around here have the capability to do dentals and such in their mobile vans.  I would find another vet that can properly address your kitties issues. 

When I had to euthanize our 14 year old tuxedo due to advanced squamous cell, I was very grateful that I was able to have one of our vets come to the house to administer the drugs. It was a much more pleasant, calm and dignified approach versus the vet clinic which would have been impersonal and potentially stressful. Home visits can be great for such events or routine things like a basic checkup or to do a routine dosing or administer a shot, but if diagnostics are required such as an x-ray or ultrasound, a vet must be able to have the means to do this, or be able to refer you to a clinic if necessary. The fact that this vet was not able to refer you to a clinic suggests to me that she may have felt that in making such a recommendation, she might lose your business, or she may simply not have known anyone which is not a good sign. The other thing to consider is that it is important for your cat to get used to being taken to a clinical setting and being handled by a vet on a regular basis. You may not always be able to use the same vet and so getting your kitty acclimatized to different situations, is important for her adjustment and well-being.

Don't feel one bit of guilt in changing vets as this is your right. You are the only one who can be an advocate for your cat, so you need to do what you think is right. The red gums should be examined again and so I would try and get with another vet as soon as you are able to, to get this, the head-shaking and breathing issue checked out. Best of luck to you and kitty.

Thanks for the advice, though it's just been 6 months I found a 5 star yelp rated vet in the area who I am bringing her to next week for another full exam ($65) not so bad! 

Hopefully they can be of a little more help on her issues! 

My vet does home visits too, but I always thought it would be more stressful having their home environment "invaded."  At least at the office they know what's up.