Telemedicine: Virtual Visits for Your Pet

Telemedicine: Virtual Visits for Your Pet

               Ever wished you could contact your vet and get help from home instead of bringing your pet to the veterinary office?  With telemedicine and an app called Televet, this is now possible! While this type of service certainly won’t replace office visits, veterinarians may be able to help with minor health issues while you and your pet remain in the comfort of your home. 

               How it works:  A consultation fee is charged to use the Televet service.  Download the app to request a consultation. Televet is available for both Android and Apple devices.  Once you have the app, it walks you through how to request a consult.  Keep in mind, consult requests may not be answered immediately. Once a consultation time is set, you and the doctor can agree on either a phone conversation, or, more commonly, a text/chat option where photos can be submitted and you can chat via text messaging.

Just a reminder, not all cases may be solved by telemedicine.  If it sounds like a situation where the pet needs to come to the office for a hands-on exam or treatment, a traditional appointment may need to be scheduled. If a pet’s condition is an emergency, the veterinarian will recommend that he or she come to the office immediately or visit the local emergency clinic if necessary.  Pets may also need to visit the veterinary office for lab work or x-rays or samples may need to be submitted for testing.

               Telemedicine works best for cases such as checking skin conditions, wounds or incisions, monitoring diabetic patients, minor cases of diarrhea, vomiting, or limping and similar problems and for some medical progress exams. Telemedicine may also be considered in some cases if a client does not have transportation to the veterinary hospital or is away on vacation with their pet and needs medical advice. 

               Once a diagnosis is established, you may need to visit the veterinary hospital to pick up medication or schedule a brief visit to the office to see a technician for an injection or other treatment. Remember, Televet is not meant for emergencies and it is not meant to replace office visits or physical exams, but rather to act as a tool to help treat minor injuries or illnesses from home.  See our webpage at www.pattonvethospital.com for more information and links in the pop up to request a consult.

               This blog brought to you by Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.