Is Telemedicine Right for Your Pet?
Although the concept has been around and available to human and animal patients for a long time, the concept of telemedicine really took hold during the pandemic, when it wasn’t always possible or safe to physically visit the doctor’s office or veterinary clinic. While the dangers of the pandemic have subsided, the convenience of telemedicine is leading many patients to choose this remote care option for their pets.
What Is Telemedicine for Pets?
Telemedicine refers to the use of electronic communication (rather than in-person appointments) for conducting veterinary appointments for observing, diagnosing, or treating patients or providing medical advice to pet owners. Telemedicine can refer to appointments that occur with a video call, a regular phone call, through text messaging or electronic messaging software, or through email.
Is Telemedicine Right for Your Pet?
Telemedicine for pets can be a highly useful tool for both veterinarians and pet owners. For your pet’s safety, Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care only accepts patients for telemedicine appointments if the patient has already established a relationship with our veterinary practice – except in emergency medical situations when immediate advice and guidance are needed to stabilize a pet until our emergency veterinary clinic arrives.
When to Use Telemedicine for Pets
Telemedicine is a wonderfully convenient tool for a variety of veterinary situations including client education, medication refills, patient observation, post-operative follow-ups, appointment scheduling, and in some instances diagnosis and treatment.
Sometimes, however, it is necessary for a veterinarian to see your pet in person. These situations might include providing certain treatments to pets such as vaccines, performing health screenings, or running diagnostic tests that make it possible to determine the underlying cause of an ailment. An accurate diagnosis is essential to providing safe and effective treatments to pets.
Our veterinarians can help you determine whether a telemedicine appointment is the right choice for your pet.
Telemedicine and Mobile Veterinary Care for Pets in Tucson
In addition to our telemedicine services, Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care is first and foremost a mobile veterinary clinic that specializes in providing housecall veterinary appointments. If your pet requires in-person care with a veterinarian, you still don’t need to leave the comfort of your home because we’ll bring everything your pet needs right to your doorstep. To learn more or schedule an appointment, we welcome you to contact our mobile veterinary clinic in Tucson today.
