Celebrating the holidays with our pets: What you need to know about veterinary telehealth

Your pet can't tell you what they feel, but establishing a relationship in person with your veterinarian before using telemedicine will help you both

By: Dr. Rena Carlson, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association

With the winter holidays approaching, we often include our pets in holiday celebrations and gift-giving as we celebrate the season with loved ones. In the midst of sharing seasonal joy with your pet, you might encounter a situation where your pet needs help from a veterinarian. Telemedicine is one option, but is safest for you and your pet when used after you have established a relationship with a veterinarian in person.

That’s because the in-person visit that is used to establish a VCPR is an incredibly valuable tool for your veterinarian. It allows them to use sight, sound, touch, and smell to identify any health issues during your pet’s physical examination and they can also collect samples necessary to support an accurate diagnosis. The veterinarian’s interaction with you during that visit is also very important as it helps them understand your relationship with your pet, share expectations and preferences for care, and fully discuss potential challenges associated with your pet’s treatment plan. All of this information is important for your pet’s health and safety and cannot be gathered through a brief virtual interaction.

Missed or delayed diagnoses are more likely when telemedicine is used without a VCPR that has been established in person, which is why doing so is required in most states before a veterinarian can treat your pet virtually. No one wants to see their pet uncomfortable or in pain, and a missed or delayed diagnosis can increase your pet’s suffering. When a highly contagious disease--like parvovirus or canine distemper--or a disease that poses a threat to people--like rabies--is involved, a missed or delayed diagnosis can have profound ramifications, not only for your pet, but for other animals and people. It also can lead to increased costs for you as a pet owner.

To protect your pet, yourself, and public health, make sure to use telemedicine only with your veterinarian, who knows your pet best.

To be clear, the AVMA stands behind the power of telemedicine, but not as a replacement for in-person care. Getting to know you and your pet helps your veterinarian establish a long-lasting, collaborative relationship that puts your pet’s health and safety first. The AVMA, and its more than 100,000 member veterinarians, is committed to ensuring pet owners can continue to trust in the quality care they have come to expect from their veterinarian.

Dr. Rena Carlson is the President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the nation's leading advocate for veterinary medicine and representing more than 100,000 members.