Ten Tips for a Successful Virtual Vet Consult
By Dr. Shea Cox, Hospice Vet
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to rethink how we go about all aspects of our day, including how we are able to care for our pets when a concern arises. Enter pet telehealth.
To help make your next Vet Telehealth visit most successful, we’ve gathered our top Ten Tips for a Successful Telehealth Veterinarian Consult:
1. Treat your virtual vet visit as you would any in-office visit
2. Prepare questions and concerns in advance of your consult
3. Be in a quiet area to avoid distraction and excessive background noise
4. Be in a well-lit space and avoid backlighting (e.g., do not sit with a window directly behind you, as your vet won’t be able to see you and your pet)
5. Take a test drive beforehand to ensure you can connect smoothly
6. Take video and photos that capture your pet’s behavior or issue ahead of time; capture both close-up and at-a-distance images so your vet can better assess
7. Video clips should be a minimum of 30 seconds and make sure photos are not blurry
8. Use a wired connection rather than wifi if your internet connection is unreliable
9. Make sure you and your vet have each other’s number in case of connection issues
10. Understand that a virtual consult has limitations and that your vet may recommend your pet be seen in person
Want to learn about the difference between Telehealth, Telemedicine, and how you can access it? Check out our Pet Parents Guide to Telehealth.
Dr. Shea Cox is the founder of PetHospice and a prominent leader in animal hospice and palliative care. With a focus on technology, innovation and education, her efforts are changing the end-of-life landscape in veterinary medicine, and as a telehealth advocate, she is working to change the laws around how veterinarians can use Telemedicine to care for their patients.
