Keeping Your Pup Healthy During the Pandemic With Telemedicine

Did you know that some veterinarians can provide help via Zoom or other video apps? How convenient is that?!  

The current pandemic circumstances have created challenges and opportunities for doctors and veterinarians to provide help to their patients even when they cannot physically visit the doctor’s office.  

Telemedicine allows doctors and veterinarians to connect to their patients. Instead of visiting the veterinarian’s clinic, the vet visit is online using a video call where you can see the vet, and the veterinarian can see you and your pet.  

Is telemedicine the same as telehealth in veterinary medicine?  

No. A veterinarian telemedicine visit can be conducted over the phone, text messaging, chat, email, or videoconference. Via this service, the vet can diagnose and treat your pet’s medical condition remotely, without the need for an in-person visit. 

Before a veterinarian can offer telemedicine, that veterinarian must have evaluated your pet in person. This is known as an “established patient-veterinarian relationship.” To ensure the safety of your pet, the veterinarian needs to be familiar with the medical history of your pet before providing medical advice via a phone call or video call. Because the veterinarian already knows your pet and has evaluated your pet in person previously, then he or she can diagnose, prescribe medications, and treat via a technological platform or app like zoom or WebEx.  

In the case of telehealth, the veterinarian does not necessarily need to know your pet. Therefore, the vet can only provide generalized medical advice, guide the pet owner, triage, educate, and provide general support.  

When is it appropriate to use veterinary telemedicine services?  

Veterinary telemedicine is a convenient way to deal with problems that don’t warrant an emergency visit to your local vet. You can talk to a vet over the phone or via video call to get real-time advice on what you should do for your pet. It is essential to understand that not all medical problems can be solved over the phone. Your veterinarian will be the one to let you know when this type of visit is appropriate. Also, telemedicine is not a replacement for a regular in-office visit with the vet.  

How can you prepare for the telemedicine appointment? 

The information you provide to the veterinarian is essential for the vet to help your pet. Therefore, before the appointment, you must be prepared.  Collect all the information on your pup’s history and your concern.  

Be ready to answer the following questions: 

🐾 What is the problem with your pup? 

🐾 When was the first time you noticed the problem? 

🐾 If you think it is helpful, take pictures or videos to help your veterinarian see the problem.  

🐾 If your pet takes medications, have the list of medicines written and ready for you to share the information.  

🐾 Also, if your pet has any allergies, let the doctor know.  

🐾 Have your pet with you before the call starts, on a leash. 

🐾 Have a family member or friend to help with the camera or phone.  If the veterinarian needs to see a specific body part, one person can hold your pet while the other person has the camera. This will facilitate the assessment of your pet.   

Telemedicine is a great tool that can expedite medical care without the need to leave your home. Talk to your vet and ask more about whether they can offer this type of service.