Online veterinary care is helpful and convenient, but is it a safe option for your four-legged family members?
Most pet owners are all too familiar with having to drag their pet into the vet to receive medical care. As they sit with you in the lobby shaking like a leaf, you may be wondering if the stress is causing more harm than the symptoms you’re there to address. Enter veterinary telehealth.
Telehealth for pets offers a digital approach to veterinary care, allowing pet owners to communicate with vet through online tools from the comfort of their homes. These services can provide guidance, assess your pet’s condition, and determine whether or not an in-person vet visit is necessary.
It’s important to note that online vet care accompanies (but doesn’t replace) the need for face-to-face, physical vet appointments. Understanding the strengths and limitations of telehealth can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. Here’s everything you need to know about veterinary telehealth and if it’s right for you.
Veterinary telehealth is the technological term for remotely delivering health information, education, or care to pet owners. Depending on how it’s conducted and the type of veterinary staff involved, it can be categorized as one of the following:
In some states, vets can use telehealth to meet new animal patients and prescribe medication if they feel they have enough information to safely make a decision. Other states require a veterinarian to physically see the pet before diagnosing or prescribing. They can still recommend treatments and advice that don’t need a prescription.
👉 Some states require pets to have had an in-person vet visit within the last 12 months. This requirement is known as the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), which means a veterinarian must know your pet well enough to diagnose and provide treatment.
Busy pet parents may struggle to find time in their daily schedules to make appointments at in-person veterinary clinics, especially for minor things. Online vet care offers convenience and efficiency, particularly for those with a lot of responsibilities, limited transportation, or financial constraints. Virtual pet health care can address concerns and questions quickly regarding their pet’s health and symptoms or follow up on treatments without a physical visit.
Many pet owners may not always be able to go to a clinic. Telehealth for pets is beneficial for those living in remote or rural areas, where veterinary clinics may be far away or scarce. It’s also helpful for pets with certain temperaments who may not always do well with in-person care.
By having access to veterinary advice from the comfort of their homes, pet parents can access veterinary help when they may not be able to otherwise. Online vet consultations can save time and reduce the stress of traveling far distances for a non-emergency appointment.
Telehealth can also be a more affordable option for pet owners, typically with lower fees. These services make pet care accessible to a wide range of pet owners at all income levels, even for those who may put off veterinary care due to financial constraints.
Telehealth can reduce stress for owners and their pets, allowing them to stay in their homes. Vets can determine whether in-person visits are necessary, reassuring owners worried about their pets’ condition. This also allows pets to stay comfortable and secure while avoiding the stress of clinic visits.
Unlike traditional in-person appointments, which typically have a waitlist, telehealth platforms allow pet owners to access consultations with veterinarians with minimal wait times and immediate access to a vet.
After an initial appointment or consultation, follow-ups at an in-person clinic can be time-consuming. Using telehealth to follow up saves time and money, monitors your pet’s progress, and adjusts care without repeated physical visits.
For those who may be worried their pet’s progress isn’t going as it should, online care offers reassurance and peace of mind at the click of a button.
Telemedicine compliments traditional, face-to-face veterinary care. It does not replace it. Essential services like annual wellness exams are still a necessity, and establishing a valid VCPR is required in most states. Although telehealth offers numerous advantages, it also has some limitations.
Telehealth should not replace in-person veterinary care, especially when diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases, providing prognoses, and prescribing medications. They also may not be able to prescribe particular medicines over video or phone.
A telehealth vet also won’t have access to your pet’s medical history. If the owner’s record keeping is insufficient, it can potentially lead to drug interactions, allergic reactions, and other adverse issues.
Despite the convenience, telehealth is not for everything. It cannot substitute for annual exams. Regular physical check-ups are needed to maintain your pet’s health. These annual exams also catch potential underlying issues through things that can’t be done through a virtual consultation, such as bloodwork or X-rays.
In the event of an emergency, you should still make an immediate vet appointment or visit your nearest animal hospital. A virtual vet won’t be able to do anything about severe symptoms like an injury, persistent vomiting, or breathing difficulties.
Even after a virtual vet consultation, you may still need an in-person veterinary exam. A virtual veterinary consultation may treat a condition, but if it persists and worsens, you’ll need to go to your vet’s physical office. However, this can lead to a risk of delay in care and a missed diagnosis.
Veterinary telehealth apps are revolutionizing how pet owners access care for their pets. From the comfort of your home, you can get expert advice from veterinarians, pet nutritionists, or behavior specialists through video, messaging, and calls, 24/7.
Telehealth platforms allow you to access care anytime, whether you’re curious about your cat’s chronic condition or your dog’s behavior. They vary in what they offer, and you can usually choose a pay-per-visit or subscription-based service. Others offer advice on general pet care.
“Personally, I think telemedicine can be a wonderful option, especially for triage and for pets and owners who are not able to access traditional veterinary care for whatever reason. It certainly has limitations… But I see it overall as a positive.” - Dr. Liza Cahn
Pay-per-visit offers flexibility since pet owners only pay when they use services. Subscription-based services can be more economical for those whose pets have chronic conditions or expect to need multiple consultations.
The predictability of cost for subscription-based services can reduce the unpredictable costs of pay-per-visit. However, having access to consistent care regardless of fee structure can provide peace of mind for pet owners.
Most telehealth platforms and apps have a few things in common. The fees and costs vary depending on the veterinarian and the type of visit. Most apps use familiar communication formats like messaging, photos, video, and video calls.
They also offer certain functionalities to allow you to schedule and manage appointments with additional reminders for appointments, checkups, and vaccinations. However, some unique features of telehealth platforms include:
A general pet service may be better if you want to consult veterinarians for behavior, tips, or nutrition advice. These platforms offer a broader range of services, and some offer free vet advice. These are designed to make pet care more accessible and affordable for pet owners.
The safety and effectiveness of using telehealth depends entirely on your pet and their situation. For manageable issues like a skin infection or questions about changing your pet’s food, telehealth platforms can be an excellent resource for quick advice.
However, these platforms are not suitable for all conditions. If your pet’s symptoms persist or worsen, you’ll want to consult your regular animal hospital. Combining face-to-face care with the convenience of telehealth can help ensure your pet receives the care they need.
“In general I view them as a positive, although they have both benefits and risks, but other vets may have differing opinions. The bottom line is that they can’t and shouldn’t replace in-person vet med, but they can provide a fast and reliable way for pet owners to find info online about their pets.”
-Dr. Liza Cahn
Due to laws and regulations, some online vets are allowed to prescribe medications. Tele-triage and telehealth cannot prescribe medications, and in some instances, your pet will need to be examined in person.
Telemedicine is an accessible and affordable tool for veterinary pet care. Although it can provide care, advice, and consultations, it should not replace in-person veterinary visits.
Telehealth is the overarching term for virtual pet care, health, or education. It’s broken down into telemedicine, teleconsulting, telemonitoring, tele-advice, and tele-triage, which differ based on what they offer and the veterinary professionals involved.
Most states offer veterinary telemedicine, but each state has specific laws on whether they require a VCPR and what types of services providers are allowed to offer
