Can Online Vets Prescribe Antibiotics? Our Vet Explains the Facts & Legality
In this article
Consulting an online veterinarian is convenient and less stressful for your pet. However, if you suspect your cat has an infection and needs antibiotics, is it the right option for you? The answer is a little bit complicated since it depends on the laws in your state, the type of telehealth service you are accessing, and your cat’s illness.
The ability to prescribe medication, such as antibiotics, relies on the development of a veterinarian-client-pet-relationship as well as an accurate assessment of your cat’s health. Since this concept is very complicated when viewed through the lens of telehealth, read on to learn more about the facts and legality of this situation.
The Veterinarian-Client-Pet-Relationship
The veterinarian-client-pet relationship (VCPR) is a legal term for the agreement between a veterinarian and a pet owner, also known as the client, to treat the client’s pet. A VCPR means that vets have the right to prescribe medications and make diagnoses and the responsibility to maintain medical records. Within this framework, clients are responsible for following the vet’s instructions.
Without a VCPR, telehealth services are known as teletriage or teleadvice and are limited in what they provide. When a VCPR is established, the vet can practice telemedicine to provide a diagnosis, prescribe medication, recommend treatment, and so on.
Traditionally, a VCPR could only be established through in-person examinations. However, this area is growing and changing. We’ll review some of the complicated laws dictating a VCPR in the United States.
Federal Laws
A federal VCPR can only be formed with an in-person examination, but it can be maintained electronically. A federal VCPR is needed when:
- Veterinarians prescribe human medication to their animal patients, including over-the-counter medications.
- Using FDA-approved animal medications in a different way from the approved label.
- Medications need to be compounded for the pet.
Since these scenarios are extremely common in veterinary practice, there is a high chance that the medication your cat needs will necessitate an in-person visit.
State Laws
State laws around the establishment of the VCPR are found in the state's Veterinary Practice Act. These ever-changing regulations stipulate whether a VCPR can be established or maintained electronically. Some states allow a VCPR to be established electronically, giving their vets the right to prescribe medications through telemedicine.
There are also more state-specific rules around which medications can be prescribed, time frames for prescribing, and what constitutes a telemedicine consult. For example, a video chat may be a requirement. So, to answer your question fully, you will need to check the current Veterinary Practice Act for your state.
Other Factors That Influence Prescribing Medications
Assuming your state allows a VCPR to be established electronically, and your pet doesn’t require any medication that will necessitate a federal VCPR, there are other factors to consider. These will help determine whether your cat can get what they need from the comfort of your own home.
Platform of Services
Where you are accessing your online vet matters. To establish a VCPR, your vet must be licensed to provide veterinary services in your state. So, if you are accessing a video chat with a vet through international websites, the chances are the service they are providing is teleadvice not telemedicine.
On the other hand, if you access a consultation with a veterinarian licensed in your state, this may fulfill the requirements for establishing a VCPR.
Animal’s Circumstances
The final factor is, of course, whether prescribing medication like antibiotics is in the animal's best interest. If a VCPR is established, a vet must still be able to diagnose your cat’s need for antibiotics accurately.
The limitations of telemedicine are that without an in-person examination your vet can’t do the usual things like listen to your cat’s heart, take their temperature, or perform additional tests like urine analysis, blood tests, and imaging.
Therefore, in many cases, but depending on your cat’s specific circumstances, your vet may not be able to prescribe antibiotics simply because the need for antibiotics could not be established. Despite your telemedicine consultation, you may still have to take your cat to the vet.
Should I Have a Veterinary Telehealth Consult?
If you think veterinary advice without a VCPR could be useful, you can try teletriage and teleadvice services. Situations where this might be a good idea include:
- Getting general pet care advice
- Afterhours, to determine whether or not to visit an emergency clinic
- Discussing an existing diagnosis or treatment plan
- Surgical site checks
- Accessing general information about specific conditions or diseases
Situations where establishing a virtual VCPR may be appropriate and vets may be able to prescribe treatment include:
- Follow-up visits
- Minor skin complaints
- Mild gastrointestinal upset for less than 24 hours
- Sudden, mild limping
- Behavioral concerns
In many cases, an in-person veterinary visit is the best thing for your pet. We strongly recommend that your cat goes to a veterinary clinic for:
- Issues that do not resolve after the initial telemedicine consult
- Annual examinations and immunizations
- Urinary tract issues
- Difficulty breathing
- Gastrointestinal signs or not eating for more than 24 hours
- Weight loss
Conclusion
When it comes to telehealth, there are many situations where it can be extremely helpful, with the benefit of being less expensive than traditional veterinary visits. However, when it comes to getting medication like antibiotics from online vets, many laws can restrict the vet’s ability to prescribe. Even if the state laws are favorable, your vet may be unable to determine a need for antibiotics through a video chat and may recommend follow-up examinations or diagnostic tests. A good rule of thumb is to use telehealth where appropriate and schedule annual wellness visits to hopefully detect any problems early.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Indypendenz, Shutterstock
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Dr. Ashley Darby BVSc (Veterinarian)
Ash has worked in mixed and small animal emergency clinics and general practice ever since 2017 after graduating from Sydney University. She grew up in South Africa and England before moving to Australia, and her passion for animals came from many childhood safaris in the Kruger National Park.
Ash lives with her husband Ben, two energetic Springer Spaniels, and one very tolerant black cat. She also competes in dressage, eventing, and show jumping with her horse, Atlas.
