New Breed Of On Demand Vet Services Offer In-Home Care For Your Furry Friends

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Taking a pet to the vet can be an ordeal, but now high tech services can bring a help to your furry friend right at home.

When Yana Stimler's golden retriever JZ developed a skin condition, she knew getting her to the vet wouldn't be easy.

"She gets anxiety every time we walk past the vet," Stimler told CBS2's Karina Mitchell.

Stimler used her smartphone to have the vet come to her.

Dr. Jonathan Leshanki works for a new app called Instavet. Pet house calls range from general checkups to vaccinations and even end of life care.

Dr. Leshanksi said these visits can be more effective than a traditional trip to the vet.

"They're not stressed. You don't have to stuff them into a carrier or try to get a car to get them to the vet. I love meeting the animal in their own territory. I think you get more of a sense of who they are," Dr. Leshanski said, "Sometimes you can actually reach a diagnosis much easier at home."

Same day or advance bookings can be made using a mobile device or online, and the service can even keep track of your animal's health history.

Other free apps including Vet Pronto offer similar services. Another called Vet On Demand allows users to get a video consultation with a vet.

Leshanski was able to give JZ a shot for her skin problem and will need a follow up visit.

Instavet charges $150 for a house call, but Stimler said it's worth it.

"She loves it, so do I," she said.

Right now Instavet is only available in New York and San Francisco, but has plans to expand.

If an animal needs more specialized care or surgery the company will refer clients to a licensed animal hospital.