Photo by Anusha Barwa on Unsplash
Imagine this: you come home from work one day to find Fido excited to see you, tail wagging, and generally ready for all the head scratches. In his excitement, he starts coughing uncontrollably. It scares you, but soon enough the coughing fit is over.
You know that something isn’t quite right and he’s been acting a bit sluggish over the past few days. Although you want to take him to the vet right away, the office is currently closed. This leaves you with the option of taking him to an animal hospital or waiting until the morning.
What if instead of making Fido wait until morning or racking up a huge emergency vet bill, there was another way to take care of his health needs? This is where choosing an online veterinary center will be quite helpful. We’re going to talk about the top 3 reasons why you should consider this type of care first before deciding on other treatment options.
Keep reading for more information!
Fewer Scary Office Visits
The majority of pets don’t care for vet visits. This is due to the unfamiliar environment, poking & prodding, and a feeling of being overwhelmed with other animals & their smells. Usually, a trip to the vet means that Fido or Mittens is removed from their home and their aches or pains are triggered to find the root cause.
Opting to consider an online vet visit may give you the answers you need to alleviate the anxiety that comes with a sick pet. It also may offer insight into the root cause of the problem, allowing for a simple home remedy versus an expensive emergency vet visit. Should the problem be more serious, you will know that your money is being spent wisely.
When using an online vet, you will also notice that your four-legged family member is less likely to show additional signs of stress which may worsen their illness or injury.
Care is Provided 24-Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Normal veterinary offices close at a particular time, don’t open on the weekends, require appointments, and sometimes don’t have the time to see your fur-baby that same day. An online veterinarian is available at all hours and there is no need to wait days for an appointment.
Like humans, pets don’t always get sick or need care at convenient times. Similar to a human using a telehealth portal, talking to a veterinarian online can often diagnose the issue and help prevent the problem from worsening.
Online Veterinarians are Cost-Effective
As mentioned, taking Fido to an emergency animal hospital is expensive. While this can be unavoidable in some instances, not every illness or injury requires immediate & expensive attention. Sometimes, the health problem doesn’t require any hands-on attention at all.
Speaking to an animal health professional online will allow you to determine the best plan of action for your pet and pocketbook. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars only to be told that the illness or injury will go away on its own is frustrating and causes unneeded stress.
Generally, online vets offer expansive care options and some won’t charge you at all if they cannot answer your question about Fido’s health. This means that the only thing ‘wasted’ was time and you now have an idea of whether an emergency visit is needed or if an appointment with your regular veterinarian will suffice.
Things to Remember When Choosing a Virtual Vet
Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash
Speaking to a veterinarian online may help diagnose the problem your pet is experiencing. You also have to remember that Fido or Mittens cannot speak for themselves. This means that unless the diagnosis is clear-cut, there can be room for error.
To find the best online veterinarian for your pet’s health needs, consider asking for referrals and researching each option. Find out if you will speak to vet tech or an actual veterinarian. Ask questions about the cost and if they are willing to work with your regular vet.
Finally, you should remember that an online diagnosis is only as good as the information you can give. If you happen to notice Fido acting strange, start taking notes (yes, actual notes) so you can answer all of the vet’s questions. This may include behavioral issues, whether stools are difficult to pass/loose if your pet has been eating/drinking, and if there was any deviation from normal activities (new groomer, changing pest control companies, etc.)
Online Vets: The Overview
Earlier we had you envision your dog coughing when you came home from work. The first question a vet (online or in-person) would ask is if they’ve been vaccinated and if the dog has been boarded recently. If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, there is a high chance that the symptoms are caused by kennel cough.
Though this condition will need to be treated with medication and possibly injection or two, you will have an answer and know what treatment options are available. Sometimes, conditions aren’t as clear cut, which may mean more observation or the need for an in-person visit.
An online veterinarian will save you time, money, & stress. They also offer around-the-clock care. The idea behind these types of services is similar to a human using a telehealth portal or going to an urgent care facility: they aren’t necessarily a replacement, but these services can make you & your pet’s life much better & healthier.