How & When to Use Veterinary Telemedicine
In recent years, the landscape of veterinary care has seen significant evolution, driven by advancements in tech and changing consumer expectations. One notable innovation that has garnered attention is veterinary telemedicine, a practice that allows pet owners to consult with veterinarians remotely via digital platforms, like we provide here at Vetli.
The human medicine community recognises that telemedicine technologies can improve access to health care. Physicians use telemedicine to establish doctor-patient relationships and can employ the technologies to diagnose and treat current and new patients, including infants and nonverbal adults.
As a team of vets and innovators, our mission at Vetli is to ensure that this tool is available to pet owners, affordable and accessible. We wholeheartedly believe that at its core, expanding access to telemedicine is an animal welfare issue. Telemedicine enhances access to veterinary care, reduces patient fear and stress, and brings about much positive change in the veterinary industry.
What is Veterinary Telemedicine and How does it Work?
Veterinary telemedicine encompasses a range of services, from video consultations to online messaging, offering pet owners the convenience of seeking professional veterinary advice without the need for in-person visits. This approach has sparked discussions about its potential benefits, challenges, and implications for both pet owners and veterinary professionals.
Challenges Faced by Pet Owners and How Telemedicine Can Help
Transportation Stress: Many pets experience anxiety and discomfort during trips to veterinary clinics, which can exacerbate existing health issues.
Time Constraints: Balancing work, family, and pet care responsibilities can be challenging, making it difficult for pet owners to schedule veterinary appointments during regular clinic hours.
Uncertainty and Anxiety: Pet owners often feel unsure about whether their pet's symptoms warrant a trip to the vet, leading to anxiety and indecision.
Limited Access to Veterinary Care: In remote or underserved areas, access to quality veterinary care may be limited, leaving pet owners with few options for seeking professional advice.
High Costs: Veterinary expenses can add up quickly, leading some pet owners to delay seeking care or forego preventive services due to cost concerns. Veterinary telemedicine can help, with providing more affordable and upfront costs, especially with our subscriptions, as well as advising on if and when it is necessary to visit your physical clinic.
The Multiple Advantages of Veterinary Telemedicine for Pets and Owners
Convenience: Pet owners can seek timely advice without the need for travel, reducing stress for both pets and owners.
Accessibility: Telemedicine provides access to veterinary care in remote areas or during off-hours when traditional clinics may be closed. Pet owners might forgo basic preventive care in these cases, leading to more urgent or severe medical conditions.
Empowerment: Pet owners gain knowledge and confidence in managing their pets' health, fostering a collaborative relationship with veterinarians.
Early Intervention: Telemedicine enables early detection and management of health issues, potentially preventing escalation to more serious conditions.
Overcoming barriers to veterinary access & care: In 2020, the chief economist for the American Veterinary Medical Association estimated that approximately one-third of pets do not see a veterinarian at least once a year (primary due to costs, stress, transportation obstacles).
Addresses financial barriers: telemedicine provides a cost-effective option for many pet owners. It also helps them avoid additional travel expenses and perhaps unnecessary time off work.
Bridge gaps in care caused by workforce shortages: The current shortage of veterinarians and other veterinary professionals might worsen access problems. However, the expanded use of telemedicine technologies helps to bridge this gap and increase access to the veterinary health care system.
Keep pets and people together: Research has documented that clinical examinations are stressful for most dogs and cats. One study demonstrated that almost 78% of dogs studied showed fearful behavior during a standardized clinical exam, with 13% so frightened that they had to be dragged or carried into the exam room. In addition, dogs and cats are sometimes separated from their owners for medical exams. In many cases, the separation results in even greater stress.
Enables palliative care from home with owners: Besides decreasing fear and stress in healthy patients, the use of telemedicine for palliative and end-of-life care has the potential to reduce unnecessary clinic visits, minimise stress, and lessen the suffering of senior or terminally ill patients.
Assist animal shelters: Animal shelters with staff veterinarians regularly face situations where doctors who cannot be on the premises could provide care through telemedicine. For animal shelters without staff veterinarians, third-party doctors might be able to provide valuable, lifesaving services through telemedicine.
We believe veterinary care should be accessible to all pets regardless of their owners’ socioeconomic status, physical limitations or location.
When to Use Veterinary Telemedicine
Veterinary telemedicine can be particularly useful in the following scenarios:
Mild to Moderate Gastrointestinal Issues: Consultation for issues like mild vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite.
Chronic Disease Monitoring: Remote monitoring of chronic conditions such as diabetes or arthritis..
New Puppy and Kitten Advice: Guidance on vaccinations, nutrition, behaviour training, and general care for new pet owners.
Nutrition and Dietary Consultations: Recommendations for appropriate diets based on pets' age, breed, and health status.
Behavioral Consultations: Addressing behavioral concerns such as anxiety, aggression, or destructive behavior.
Mild Eye Conditions: Assessment and advice for minor eye irritations or discharge.
Decision Making: Assistance in determining whether a veterinary appointment is necessary immediately, within 24 hours, or can be managed at home.
Post-operative Care and Re-evaluation: Telemedicine enables veterinarians to monitor post-operative recovery remotely, ensuring that pets are healing properly and addressing any concerns or complications that may arise in a timely manner.
Triage: In urgent situations, telemedicine allows for rapid assessment and triage of pet health concerns, helping pet owners determine the next steps for seeking appropriate veterinary care.
Medical Cases: Telemedicine consultations are well-suited for initial history taking, discussion of diagnostic workups, and reevaluation of ongoing medical cases, providing pet owners with timely guidance and support throughout their pets' treatment journey.
Palliative and Hospice Care: For pets requiring palliative or hospice care, telemedicine consultations offer compassionate support and guidance to pet owners as they navigate end-of-life decisions and ensure their pets' comfort and quality of life.
Prescription and Pet Food Refills: For existing patients, telemedicine consultations enable convenient refills of prescription medications and pet food, ensuring continuity of care without the need for in-person visits.
*Dependant on vet assessment & regulations in your region. Contact us at support@wearevetli.com and we can let you know exactly what the regulations are in your region.
Complementary Nature of Veterinary Telemedicine
It's important to recognise that veterinary telemedicine does not seek to replace or compete with traditional veterinary care but rather to complement it as an additional tool in promoting the best possible health outcomes for pets with timely guidance, reassurance, and support between physical visits to the veterinarian.
By integrating telemedicine into a pet care regimen, owners can enhance their ability to monitor and manage their pets' health while maintaining a collaborative relationship with their trusted veterinary professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that pets receive comprehensive care that addresses their unique needs and maximises their overall well-being.
Considerations
Prescribing Guidelines Compliance: At Vetli, we are committed to staying informed about the regulations governing medication prescriptions in telemedicine consultations. It's important for pet owners to know that these regulations can vary from region to region, and our platform ensures compliance with the applicable laws and guidelines set forth by regulatory bodies. While we can prescribe medications in some regions, it's important to note that this may not be the case everywhere. However, we're seeing positive transformations in laws worldwide to make telemedicine more accessible, and we're dedicated to navigating these changes to provide the best possible care for pets everywhere.
Acknowledgment of Examination Limitations: While telemedicine consultations offer valuable insights, Vetli acknowledges the inherent limitations of remote examinations. Our platform emphasizes transparency with pet owners regarding the inability to physically examine pets and recommends in-person veterinary evaluations when necessary for comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. Our veterinarians all have many years of experience and can make informed decisions on whether your pet should see a veterinarian.
Emergency Situations Protocol: Vetli provides comprehensive guidance to pet owners on identifying and responding to emergency situations. While telemedicine consultations can address non-urgent concerns, Vetli underscores the importance of immediate veterinary care for emergencies such as severe injuries, trauma, or sudden onset of serious symptoms.
Data Security and Privacy: Vetli ensures the confidentiality and security of sensitive information exchanged during telemedicine consultations.
Continuity of Care: Vetli facilitates seamless communication and coordination with your traditional veterinary clinic to ensure continuity of care for your pets.
Safety for pets: We as veterinarians took an oath to make animal welfare our top priority as professionals. There has been debate about the safety of using telemedicine for pets due to the absence of a hands-on physical examination. Based on regions such Canada, where telemedicine is now a natural part of the pet healthcare system, the Chief Veterinary Officer has yet to receive a single complaint from a veterinary client about an adverse outcome resulting from telemedicine or the creation of the virtual VCPR (veterinary-client-patient relationship). The same holds in U.S. states that permit a virtual VCPR and those that temporarily relaxed regulations during the pandemic. These real-world examples are testaments to veterinarians using telemedicine and the virtual VCPR and their ability to make sound professional judgments, including when telemedicine is appropriate for patients and when a virtual VCPR is applicable.
By addressing these concerns, telemedicine empowers pet owners to take proactive steps in managing their pets' health and well-being, ultimately improving outcomes for pets and their human companions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pet Care
As we look to the future, veterinary telemedicine is poised to play an increasingly prominent role in pet care. While it is not intended to replace traditional veterinary services, telemedicine offers complementary support, enhancing accessibility and convenience for pet owners while augmenting the capabilities of veterinary professionals.
By fostering collaboration between pet owners and veterinarians, telemedicine has the potential to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their pets' health and well-being. As the field continues to evolve, pet owners can expect to see greater integration of telemedicine into the broader spectrum of veterinary care, enriching the overall experience and outcomes for pets and making lives easier for pet owners.
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If you have any further questions about veterinary telemedicine, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly support at support@wearevetli.com