Veterinary Telehealth: When Is It Right for Your Pet?
Key takeaways:
Veterinarians offer a wide range of telehealth services, from diagnosis and treatment to e-prescriptions.
Veterinary telehealth works best in non-emergency situations such as managing chronic conditions.
A televet can tell you if your pet should be seen in person.
When telehealth became a way of life during the pandemic, it wasn’t only healthcare providers who adapted. Veterinarians also introduced ways to offer digital services to their clients. Many vets began with phone chats or video appointments using Skype or FaceTime. They also added follow-up care using text and e-messaging apps.
Over time, more vets implemented telehealth services into their practices and introduced new platforms for animal care. Today, these “televet” platforms give pet owners digital access to a wide range of services. Here you’ll learn the basics about televet services, when to use them, and when it’s better to see a vet in person.
What telehealth services are available for pets?
Telehealth services for pet owners range from mobile apps that monitor your animals to video platforms that allow vets to diagnose and treat your furry loved ones. These services are regulated by state boards, but the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published a list of general guidelines. One of their guidelines addresses the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
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VCPR describes an existing, already established relationship between a pet and a veterinarian. Some televet services require a VCPR and other services don’t. Here’s a breakdown of services available via telehealth, and when they’re only available if you already have a vet:
Diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment: If you need a vet to tell you what’s wrong with your pet and offer treatment options, you must have an established relationship with the veterinarian. This means that the veterinarian you are working with should have performed an in-person physical exam on your pet, usually within the past year. The same holds true if you need a prognosis, a disease’s likely progression or outcome. The AVMA uses the term “telemedicine” to identify these services.
General tips: If you want to ask a quick question or seek guidance about an issue that’s not urgent, you can talk to any vet who’s on a telehealth platform. The pet providers in these scenarios can’t diagnose or treat your animal, but they can recommend things like food brands and training tips.
Emergency situations: You may find yourself in an urgent situation that requires a vet to quickly tell you what to do. With teletriage services, any available televet can assess if your pet needs immediate in-person care. The televet may ask to see photos or video of your animal to help evaluate their symptoms and distress level, then advise your next steps.
E-prescribing: Pet prescription laws vary from state to state. In some states, you may be able to get an electronic prescription from a televet. These e-prescriptions may be filled online or at a drugstore. Some states may require a VCPR while others won’t.
When is a telehealth vet visit OK for your pet?
Telemedicine visits are available for minor ailments and nonemergencies including chronic conditions, new symptoms (acute care), and follow-up care.
Chronic conditions
Chronic conditions are illnesses that your pet has lived with for a long time. Telehealth visits are convenient for a vet who has already diagnosed and treated your animal in person. Your vet may switch over to telehealth to manage ongoing conditions and other health concerns, such as:
Flea allergies
Behavioral problems
Skin issues such as rashes
Obesity
Arthritis
Chronic mobility issues
Medication refills
Nutrition advice
New symptoms
Acute or new symptoms can occur quickly, like when your dog wakes up with a limp they didn’t have the day before or your cat stops eating suddenly. Examples of other acute symptoms include:
Eye infections
Mild diarrhea or vomiting
Insect bites
Cough
Itching
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Follow-up care
If your pet has undergone surgery, you may be able to save time by scheduling telehealth follow-up visits. Your vet can observe your animal over video or you can check in by phone or through text with questions and concerns.
When should your vet see your pet in person?
While telehealth makes vet visits convenient, they’re not always appropriate. Sometimes it’s better to have your pet seen in person. If, for instance, your animal experiences heatstroke, poisoning, trauma from a fall or accident, or another life-threatening event, you should call your vet or emergency animal clinic. Symptoms that merit an in-person visit include:
A weak or rapid pulse
Excessive bleeding
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Paralysis or inability to stand
Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea
Unable to urinate or defecate
Loss of balance
Difficulty breathing
Broken bones
Bite wounds
How much do telehealth visits with a vet cost?
The cost of telehealth vet services depends on several factors, such as your pet’s condition and how much your vet charges. Call your vet’s office and ask about their telehealth services and prices.
Televet apps and websites typically charge a flat fee or a monthly subscription rate. Here are a few examples:
AirVet: For $30 per virtual visit, you can connect with a licensed vet anytime day or night on AirVet.
AskVet: AskVet charges a monthly membership of $29.99 for unlimited chats with a vet.
TelePAWS: TelePAWS offers several price points including $50 for one visit, $150 for four visits, or $19.99 a month for up to six visits a year.
How can I find a vet that offers telehealth visits?
Start by calling your vet and asking if they offer telehealth services. If they don’t and you want to give virtual visits a try, call other vets in your area and ask about their telehealth care.
If you’re looking for a licensed veterinarian to answer the occasional question, search for televet apps online or in your mobile phone’s app store. There are many televet platforms to choose from.
The bottom line
Veterinarian telehealth offers a variety of services for animal lovers and their pets. These services are primarily good for non-emergency issues. If you would like to try televet services, start by talking to your current vet and asking if they offer telehealth care.
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