Acupuncture · Gut health
How Acupuncture Supports Digestive Health in Pets
Discover how acupuncture supports digestion in pets. Learn the natural benefits of holistic GI therapy for dogs and cats with Balance Bites.
· 4 min read
No car trip Home visits across Melbourne
Integrative veterinary care at home, across Melbourne.
For the dog who finds the journey too hard, and the cat who feels safest at home.
One vet, one plan, built around the whole animal.
For more complex cases, Dr Tristan Maugueret reviews the full history and looks at how your pet’s conditions, medications, diet and daily life fit together. You might come to us for ongoing care, help with a new diagnosis or a second opinion.
Our integrative, holistic approach can draw on nutrition, acupuncture, pain management and herbal medicine alongside conventional veterinary care.
About integrative careHow it works
A vet appointment, in your living room.
When getting to the vet becomes difficult, we come to them. We provide general check-ups, vaccinations, blood tests and ongoing monitoring at home. Much of our work is with senior pets and those living with chronic or multiple conditions.
More about home visits- 1
Tell us what's going on
Send a short enquiry: your pet, your suburb, and what you've noticed.
- 2
We email you back
Dr Tristan talks it through with you, asks for any records, and suggests the right kind of visit.
- 3
The vet comes to you
An unhurried examination at home, with everything needed brought along. Then a plan you can actually follow.
Why home visits
“A lot of the dogs I see for acupuncture are older, and getting them into the car can be hard on both them and their owners. Visiting them at home makes regular treatment easier. Acupuncture is one part of how I help manage their pain and keep them comfortable as they get older.”
- University of Sydney, 2008
- IVAS-certified acupuncturist
- CIVT natural and integrative therapeutic nutrition
Services
What we can help with
Home visit
Integrative care
One consultation that looks at the whole animal: history, diet, pain, behaviour and previous tests. Then one plan, which can combine conventional medicine with acupuncture, nutrition and herbal medicine.
from $225
Home visit
Home visits
A vet appointment in your own home: examinations, health checks and vaccinations, without the car trip or the waiting room.
from $175 · follow-ups $145
Home visit
Acupuncture
Fine sterile needles, placed by an IVAS-certified vet, as part of a pain-management or recovery plan.
from $350 · follow-ups $185
Telehealth (phone or Zoom)
Veterinary nutrition
Diet reviews and home-prepared recipes formulated for your pet, including for kidney disease, gut problems, food allergies and weight management.
from $225 · follow-ups $175
Telehealth, then a home visit
CBD
Veterinary-prescribed CBD, which is prescription-only in Australia. A telehealth consult first, then a home visit to examine and prescribe.
from $75
Gut health and testing
- Gut health testingBlood and faecal panels that look at gut inflammation, nutrient absorption and pancreatic function, with the results explained.
- Microbiome testingA DNA test of the bacteria living in your pet’s gut, from a single faecal sample, and a plan built from what it shows.
- Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)Transferring healthy gut bacteria from a carefully screened donor to a pet whose own gut bacteria have been disrupted.
Chronic disease and complex care
For pets with an ongoing condition, or several at once: a review of the whole picture and a practical plan, alongside your regular vet.
Find out morePrices
What it costs
Published up front, so there are no surprises. Prices include GST and travel within our usual area. You're invoiced after the visit.
- Home consultation
- $175
- Travel in our usual area included
- Acupuncture follow-up
- $185
- Initial consult $350
- Nutrition consult
- $225
- By telehealth
- Microbiome test
- $395
“Where other vets have generally focused on one part of an issue or another, Dr. Tristan has taken a holistic approach and mapped a pathway forward for us all.”
Caroline, Kew · Kite
“Whilst he can’t make her young again, he has given us more quality time with her. It is a credit to Dr Tristan that our dog is still here and still enjoying life.”
Siobhan, Ringwood North · Maggie
“After our 1st consultation we were confident we could manage Daisy's complex disease knowing what we could and could not feed our girl.”
Dianne, South Morang · Daisy
Where we travel
Home visits across Melbourne
Balance Bites provides home veterinary visits across Melbourne, generally within approximately 45 minutes’ drive of Preston. Travel time varies with traffic, your exact address and the day’s appointment route.
Before the visit
Preparing for the visit
Reviewing what's already been done helps us use the time well and avoid repeating tests. Have these ready if you can. None of it is essential.
- How long it takes:
- Acupuncture takes 30 to 45 minutes and a vaccination consult about 30. Chronic disease, integrative and complex cases take 30 to 60 minutes, so there's time to go through everything.
- Space:
- Wherever your pet is most settled.
- Nervous pets:
- Dr Tristan may spend some time talking with you first and let your pet settle before he handles or examines them.
- 01
Records from your regular vet
Recent blood results, imaging reports and specialist letters. If you don't have them, tell us who your vet is and we can request them.
- 02
Medications and supplements
The packets, or a list with doses. Include anything you've stopped recently.
- 03
What your pet eats
The food, how much, and any treats or toppers. A photo of the label is plenty.
- 04
What you've noticed at home
When it started, what makes it better or worse. A short phone video of anything that comes and goes can help.
Questions
Before you get in touch
What is a home vet visit?
A veterinarian comes to your home instead of you going to a clinic. The examination happens where your pet is most comfortable, with no car trip, carrier or waiting room.
What animals do you see?
All animals, though most of our patients are cats and dogs. If you're unsure, send an enquiry and ask.
Do I need a referral from my vet?
No. You can contact us directly. If your pet has a regular vet, we'll ask for their records so we can see the full picture.
How much does it cost?
A standard home consultation is $175. Every price is on our pricing page, and for more complex cases we'll tell you the expected fees before you book.
Which suburbs do you visit?
Balance Bites provides home veterinary visits across Melbourne, generally within approximately 45 minutes’ drive of Preston. Travel time varies with traffic, your exact address and the day’s appointment route. The full list is on our Where we travel page.
Don’t see your suburb listed? Send us your suburb or postcode and the type of care you’re looking for, and we’ll let you know what we can arrange.
Is travel included?
Yes. Travel within our usual service area is included. An additional travel surcharge may apply for longer journeys. We will confirm any extra cost with you before booking.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Nutrition consultations are available by telehealth. For some ongoing conditions, telehealth can be a starting point or a way to review progress. Acupuncture and examinations happen at home.
When do I pay?
After the consultation. You're invoiced once we've seen your pet, and there's no upfront payment to make an enquiry or book.
What can't be done at home?
Surgery, X-rays and anything that needs hospitalisation. If your pet needs any of these, we'll refer you to a clinic and work with them.
Is this an emergency service?
No. We're not a 24-hour service. If your pet is in distress, bleeding, struggling to breathe or has collapsed, go to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital straight away.
Send an enquiry
Tell us about your pet.
When your pet’s health needs more than a standard appointment, Dr Tristan Maugueret offers individual care built around their medical history and your goals. He works alongside your regular vet, reviewing existing results and explaining which options may be appropriate.
- Nutrition consultations are by telehealth.
- Acupuncture and home visits are within our Melbourne service area. Travel is included. Where we travel
- Fees are on our pricing page. You're invoiced after the visit.
Tell us what is happening with your pet, and we’ll help you work out the next step.
From the blog
Notes from Dr Tristan
Nutrition
Understanding Pet Food Labels: What Matters Most
Learn how to decode pet food labels & choose quality ingredients for your dog or cat. Expert guide to understanding nutrition labels from Melbourne vets.
· 6 min read
Acupuncture · Senior pets
Acupuncture for Senior Pets: More Than Pain Relief
Discover how acupuncture helps ageing pets beyond pain relief. Learn about mobility, digestion, anxiety & quality of life benefits for senior dogs & cats.
· 6 min read