Telemedicine

Veterinary telemedicine is legal everywhere. The part that varies depending on where you live is if the veterinarian must see your pet in person prior to providing telemedicine services. Each state has laws regulating the practice of veterinary medicine, and veterinarians must comply with these regulations or risk disciplinary action. While they vary from state to state, these laws generally require veterinarians to establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) prior to practicing any form of veterinary medicine, including telemedicine. Learn more with this interactive map from the Virtual Veterinary Care Association.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a VCPR is the relationship between the veterinarian, their client and the animal. There are a few factors needed to create this relationship.

1. The veterinarian assumes the responsibility for making clinical judgements of the health of the animal and that the pet owner agrees to follow the veterinarians instructions.
2. The veterinarian has enough information about the animal to make a preliminary diagnosis.
3. The veterinarian is available to continue providing care and/or help provide direction to urgent care or an ongoing treatment plan.
4. The veterinarian provides oversight of the treatment, compliance and outcome. As well as maintains medical records.

The Vetster platform is built to help veterinarians and pet owners meet these requirements. Features such as centralized medical records, an ability to share videos, photos and medical history, along with an ability to continue communicating post-appointment to ensure any questions or concerns can be addressed, are why thousands of veterinarians choose Vetster to meet with pet owners and their animals.

A veterinarian’s ability to remotely diagnose and prescribe is based on local legislation. You can get a prescription through telemedicine from a veterinarian you’ve seen before, if the vet determines that’s the best plan for your pet. Some locations that don’t allow prescriptions from a new veterinarian make an exception in the event of an emergency. One of the advantages of virtual care is that you may learn that your pet doesn’t actually need a prescription - all from the comfort of home. A Vetster veterinarian may also determine that in-person care is needed, and you will have confidence that you’re making the right decision and investment for your animal.

The laws governing veterinary services can be difficult to keep straight, but the bottom line is that the best way to approach any kind of veterinary appointment (in person or virtually) is with an open mind, trusting that the veterinarian will use their professional judgment to make decisions based on what’s best for your pet. This may or may not include writing a prescription.

What kinds of pet concerns are a good fit for telemedicine?

• Ongoing monitoring for chronic conditions like allergies
• Managing behavioral disorders, including trying different medications
• When seeking seasonal treatment options for healthy pets, such as flea and tick medication
• Common skin and ear conditions that can be managed at home
• For help with minor bumps, bruises or scrapes or limping where a pain medication or antibiotic may be needed
• If your pet has tummy troubles that may need a specialized diet, supplement, or home treatment recommendations
• Senior pet ailments like arthritis
• Palliative care for pets reaching their end of life
• Litter box issues such as urinating outside the litter box

Looking for veterinary telemedicine for your pet? Connect with a licensed vet online today.