Your cat is constantly shaking his head, and it looks like he has an ear infection. Call your vet’s office to see when they can fit you in for an appointment. They said in five days. Five days!
Frustrated, you call around, and no one is available. Get inspired, and check it out online. With the rapid emergence of telehealth, you can have your cat examined by a veterinarian immediately.
When Should You Consider Using an Online Vet
Knowing when you can or cannot use an online veterinary service can be difficult. The following are instances when online veterinary care can benefit you and your pet:
- Examining behaviors that your dog only exhibits at home
- Behavioral changes such as anxiety and whether medications can help
- Check-in weight
- Check for signs of illness that your pet may be showing
- Maintenance of allergy
- Visual skin inspections
- Choosing flea or heartworm prevention
Sometimes an in-person exam is important, such as:
- Annual blood work visits
- Vaccine appointments
- Bleeding
- Acute allergic reactions
- Possible ingestion of a toy or toxic substance
The 9 Steps to How to Get a Vet Prescription Online
1. Find out which veterinary telehealth service is right for you.
Your vet can offer telehealth services, which is great because these visits can often be linked to your pet’s account and history.
Depending on your state, not all online visits are created equal. Some states require that you have established a personal veterinarian-patient-client relationship before prescribing medication through a telehealth meeting. However, this is not always the case.
Your pet may require a more specialized telehealth visit via phone or internet, such as when contacting the Pet Poison Helpline. They will make toxicology recommendations to your veterinarian (and often to you).
2. Gather any important history to give to your online veterinarian.
A complete history is essential for your veterinarian to diagnose and potentially treat your pet. An organized approach makes it easier to explain your cat’s condition to the vet, which is especially helpful since they can’t examine your pet in person.
3. Schedule a time for your pet’s consultation.
Consider having someone available to help you with your pet during visits so you can focus on answering your veterinarian’s questions. This extra person can help restrain your dog or cat, help position your pet so the vet can see more clearly, or they can help take pictures of skin lesions.
4. Answer your veterinarian’s questions to the best of your ability.
Many of us are guilty of embellishing the truth at one time or another, but your vet really needs you to tell nothing but the truth. They are not looking at your cat or dog in person, so they will need a very accurate photo. Knowing exactly how something smells, sounds, and looks is important.
5. Get a diagnosis and review a treatment plan with your veterinarian.
Depending on how your veterinarian plans to treat your pet, your furry family member may need prescription medications or a dose adjustment of their current medication. Your veterinarian may recommend an over-the-counter treatment, such as Vetericyn, wound spray, or probiotics.
6. Ask the vet about follow-up plans.
Depending on the circumstances, some vets will want you to have a follow-up visit with an in-person vet exam. They may also refer you directly to a veterinary specialty hospital or emergency facility.
7. Order your medicine.
There are several options for complying with prescribed medications or diet. Some online veterinarian telehealth programs partner with an online retailer such as Chewy.com. Sometimes, prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy for pickup.
8. Start treatment for your pet and monitor their progress.
Once you have your veterinarian’s directions, it’s time to implement the treatment plan.
Follow directions carefully, such as how often to shower or how much food to eat for weight loss. Pictures taken at home can help you track your progress. You can photograph skin lesions or keep a weekly weight chart of your pet.
9. Follow up with your vet.
Schedule a recheck appointment with your vet in person or via telehealth so the vet can assess your cat’s progress and make adjustments as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a virtual vet prescribe antibiotics?
A virtual veterinarian can only prescribe antibiotics or other prescription drugs within the scope of your state’s laws. In general, you should already have a proper VPCR (vet-patient-client relationship).
What are some advantages of veterinary telemedicine?
In general, many telehealth visits are less expensive than in-room exams. You also typically have fewer extraneous costs associated with it, like missing work or gas to get to the vet clinic. You can often find a more convenient time for telemedicine.
Conclusion
In many areas, telemedicine is becoming commonplace for both human medical concerns and our pets. Telemedicine laws and restrictions are constantly changing, but your veterinarian or telehealth service will be able to let you know if they can prescribe medication for your dog or cat.
Featured Image Credit: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz, Shutterstock
