A DORSET veterinary practice is preparing to hit the road to treat poorly pets following a major investment.

Natterjacks Vet, which has branches in Bournemouth and Poole, has taken over mobile veterinary service Vets2You.

The mobile unit will cover a 15-mile radius and contains all the equipment found in a traditional surgery including transport cages, scanners, weighing scales, blood pressure monitors and critical care facilities.

It will be manned by a vet and a veterinary nurse on home visits and will benefit nervous pets that can’t cope with being transported to the surgery, clients who can’t drive and elderly or disabled pet owners.

The services staff will deliver general consultations, minor treatment and general healthcare like flea and worm treatment, microchipping and vaccinations.

The mobile unit will be based at the Natterjacks surgery in Poole and can also be used to transport pets to the practice if they need to undergo an operation.

Andy Matthew, clinical director at Natterjacks, said: “One of the big benefits of having the mobile unit is that we can extend our coverage to the outer reaches of the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch conurbation and brings a whole different dimension to our business.

“Increasingly, people now want a visit to their own home, so we can now provide veterinary care to pets in the convenience and comfort of their own home and remove the stress and worry of bringing pets to the practice.

“We can reach out to elderly or disabled pet owners or owners who perhaps want their pets put to sleep in their own home.

“If an animal needs an operation and the owner doesn’t drive, we can collect the pet and then take it back home in the evening.

“Some owners appreciate having a little more time to speak to their vet without the time constraints and general commotion of the surgery environment. Vets2You will enable us to provide a unique one-to-one service and an exceptional level of individual patient care and attention.”