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Your cat has been shaking their head nonstop, and it looks like they have an ear infection. You call your vet’s office to see when they can fit you in for an appointment. They say in five days.
Frustrated, you call around and no one is available. Inspiration strikes, though, and you check online. With the rapid emergence of telehealth, you can have your cat examined by a vet immediately.
When Should You Consider Using an Online Vet?
Knowing whether or not an online vet service might help you solve your pet’s problem can be difficult. The following are times when online veterinary care can benefit you and your pet:
- You don’t know whether a change in your pet is normal or indicates a health problem.
- You need instant answers from a vet.
- You don’t know how urgent a medical condition is.
- You need help evaluating behaviors your cat only exhibits at home.
- You need to know how to administer medication prescribed by your in-person vet.
- You want guidance on how to manage chronic conditions.
- You suspect your pet is suffering from poisoning.
- You want a vet to review signs of illness that your pet is exhibiting.
- You want to request a post-operative check.
- You need advice on preventative medicine, such as vaccines and parasite control.
- You want a vet to do a visual skin inspection.
At times, an in-person exam is essential, such as for:
- Annual health check-ups
- Vaccine appointments
- Trauma
- Bleeding
- Bloating
- Life-threatening signs, such as difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Severe illness
- Acute allergic reactions
- Possible toy or toxic substance ingestion
The 9 Steps on How to Get a Vet Prescription Online
1. Figure out which veterinary telehealth service is suitable.
Your veterinarian might offer telehealth services, either with the same in-person team or with a dedicated team of online staff. This is an excellent option because these visits can often be linked to your account and pet’s history.
Depending on your state, though, not all online visits are created equal. Some states require that you have established an in-person veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) before medication can be prescribed via a telehealth meeting. However, this is not always the case.
Your pet might require a more specialized telehealth visit via the phone or internet, such as when contacting the Pet Poison Helpline. The staff there will make toxicology recommendations to your veterinarian (and often you).
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
2. Gather any pertinent history to give to your online veterinarian.
A complete history is essential for your online veterinarian to understand your pet’s health situation. An organized approach makes explaining your cat’s condition to the vet much easier, 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 the call so you can focus on answering your veterinarian’s questions. For example, this extra person can help restrain your cat and assist in positioning your pet so the vet can see them more clearly, or they can help take photos 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 be completely honest. They’re not looking at your cat in person, so they will need as accurate a picture as possible. Knowing exactly how something smells, sounds, and looks is vital.
5. Keep on hand all the products that your pet has taken.
Depending on how your veterinarian plans to treat your pet, your furry family member might need a prescription medicine or a dosage adjustment of their current medication. You should be able to show the online vet any over-the-counter treatment, such as Vetericyn, wound spray, or probiotics, that your cat might be taking.
6. Ask the veterinarian about follow-up plans.
Depending on the circumstances, some veterinarians 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 medication.
There are several online options for ordering prescription medications or foods. Certain online veterinarian telehealth programs partner with an online retailer like Chewy.com. Sometimes, prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy for pick-up.
8. Initiate treatment for your pet and monitor their progress.
When you have your veterinarian’s directions, it’s time to implement the treatment plan.
Follow the directions carefully, such as the frequency of bathing or how many tablets to give your cat. Photos taken at home can help you track your progress. You could take pictures of skin lesions or film your cat jumping or otherwise moving around.
9. Follow up with your veterinarian.
Schedule a recheck appointment with your vet in person or via telehealth so the veterinarian can evaluate your cat’s progress and make changes as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a virtual vet prescribe antibiotics?
A virtual vet can only prescribe antibiotics or other prescription medications within the scope of the laws of your state. Typically, you must already have a valid VCPR.
What are some advantages of veterinary telemedicine?
Generally speaking, telehealth visits tend to be less stressful for your cat since there’s no transportation involved. This type of appointment is also more convenient because you can choose the time that suits you best and you won’t need to leave your home. There are also usually fewer extraneous costs, such as missing work or needing to get more gas to get to the veterinary clinic. Appointments for telemedicine consults also tend to be longer.
Conclusion
In many areas, telehealth is becoming increasingly common for human medical concerns and those of pets. The regulations and laws are constantly changing, but your online veterinarian or telehealth service will be able to let you know if they can prescribe medication for your cat.
- See also: Virtual Vet Visits
Featured Image Credit: Daisy Daisy, Shutterstock
