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James Tuttle

Dr. James Tuttle

Veterinarian, DVM
License verified

Professional information

Designation
  • Veterinarian, DVM
Licenses
  • Arizona, US
  • Utah, US
  • Idaho, US
  • Missouri, US
About Vet

Hi there, I'm Dr. Tuttle — an emergency veterinarian with five years of experience in specialty and referral hospitals,

I graduated from Washington State University, then completed a one-year small animal rotating internship focused on emergency and critical care, followed by a second one-year surgical internship focused on orthopedics and oncological surgery. That combination means I'm especially comfortable talking through urgent questions, post-operative concerns, recovery expectations after surgery, and treatment decisions for pets facing a cancer diagnosis. If your regular vet or a specialist has recommended surgery and you'd like a second set of eyes or just want help understanding what's ahead, I'm happy to walk through it with you.

ONLINE VETERINARY CARE: WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO: Please read this before booking a consultation. So you know what to expect, here is how online veterinary care works, what I am legally able to do, and why.

THE VETERINARIAN-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP (VCPR): Before any veterinarian can diagnose a condition, recommend a treatment, or prescribe medication for your animal, the law in all states requires a valid VCPR. A VCPR exists only when a veterinarian has enough first-hand knowledge of your specific animal to make safe medical judgments, when you have agreed to follow the veterinarian's guidance, and when the veterinarian is available for follow-up.

This is not just paperwork. Without a valid VCPR, I cannot responsibly diagnose or prescribe - and doing so would be both unsafe and unlawful. Both state law and federal law (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) require a valid VCPR before a prescription can be issued.

TWO KINDS OF HELP I CAN OFFER:

  1. General advice and triage - available to everyone, no exam required. I can discuss husbandry, diet, housing, and behavior; talk through your concerns; help you decide whether your animal needs to be seen and how urgently; and review records from another veterinarian. I cannot diagnose a specific condition or prescribe medication in this lane.

  2. Telemedicine (diagnosis, treatment, and prescriptions) - available only when a valid VCPR exists. Some states allow the establishment of a VCPR over telemedicine; however, many do not. If your state’s laws do not allow me to establish a VCPR via telemedicine, I will not be able to diagnose, provide specific treatment recommendations, or prescriptions.

WHERE I AM LICENSED - STATE RULES:

  • Utah, Missouri, and Kansas: A VCPR must be established by an in-person examination. A video visit alone cannot create one, so a new prescription requires a prior hands-on exam.
  • Arizona and Idaho: State law may allow a VCPR to be established by video in limited circumstances. Even then, this supports only on-label, non-controlled medications (in Arizona, generally up to a 14-day supply with one refill before an in-person exam is required).
  • Controlled substances: I cannot prescribe these through telemedicine without an in-person examination, in any state.

EXOTIC ANIMALS (BIRDS, REPTILES, SMALL MAMMALS): Very few medications are FDA-approved for exotic species, so nearly every drug used in exotic patients is prescribed "off-label." Federal law requires a VCPR established by an in-person examination for any off-label prescription, and it does not allow that relationship to be created by video. As a result, for almost all exotic patients, I cannot prescribe through an online visit unless I have already examined your animal in person. This is true in every state, regardless of the state rules below.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: If your animal may need a prescription and I have not examined it in person, please expect that I may need to recommend an in-person visit. I am not trying to be difficult - I am following the law and protecting your animal's safety & my license.

Location
  • Tucson, AZ, US
Spoken languages
  • English
Species treated
  • Fish
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
  • Small Mammals
  • Birds (Avian)
  • Dogs (Canine)
  • Cats (Feline)
  • Other Exotics
Areas of interest
  • End of life/Hospice care
  • Endocrinology
  • Neurology
  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Preventive
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neurology
  • Toxicology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Dermatology
  • Radiology
  • Behavior
  • Anesthesia
  • Emergency
  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • Immunology
  • Pathology
  • Soft Tissue
  • Ophthalmology
Capabilities
  • Consult on diet, nutrition & exercise
  • Consult on general health & wellness
  • Consult on behavioral issues
  • Navigating nutrition from the new baby to the senior pet
  • Optimizing your new puppy or kitten experience
  • Tips and tricks on pet grooming techniques
  • Pet training, house training and litter box training

Book an online appointment with Dr. Tuttle in 3 easy steps!

  • Choose your vet and book an appointment.
  • Join the video call with the vet you chose along with your pet.
  • Get personalized care, treatment and answers to all of your questions.

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