Online veterinary consultations have never been more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more pet parents and veterinary clinics are taking advantage of this remote way of working and have realized it offers many other advantages in addition to social distancing. But what about prescriptions? Can they still be issued after a virtual veterinarian visit? Let’s find out.
Veterinary Telemedicine vs Online Tele-triage Services
These two different online veterinary services can sound similar but are actually quite different in what they offer.
Veterinary Telemedicine
Veterinary telemedicine is a virtual vet visit with your regular veterinarian, and offers remote consultations either over the telephone, virtual messaging, or video link. Many clinics have their own platforms that enable this, and some are more advanced than others.
You would typically book a virtual veterinarian visit in the same way that you would an in-person appointment. You will be given an approximate time and will usually be told to allow some leeway. You (and usually your pet!) will then need to be available between these times for your veterinarian to call you. Virtual vet visits are often more useful in these circumstances as your veterinarian can actually see your pet. This is particularly important if the problem is a visual one.
If you have booked a video consultation with your veterinarian, you will need to make sure that your pet is close by, so keep the cat flap locked, and ensure that someone else doesn’t take the dog out for a walk!
Online Tele-triage (Telehealth Services)
Online tele-triage and telehealth services are virtual appointment that can be booked with a veterinarian anywhere, even if they never have seen your pet before. This type of virtual pet care service is often used to provide general veterinary advice and online veterinarians can help you decide how urgently your pet needs to be seen by your regular veterinarian. They can often provide some reassurance should you need to wait a few days for an in-person appointment.
Can Virtual Vets Write Prescriptions for Your Pet?
Yes. Your own veterinarian is able to issue a prescription for medication for your pet during a virtual vet visit. This is because your pet is ‘under their care’, i.e., they have seen your pet in person previously and they have access to your pet’s full medical history. They are usually only able to prescribe if your pet has been seen by their practice within the last 12 months, although for certain medications, this timeframe might be reduced.
Sometimes, even if your veterinarian has seen your pet recently, they might request an in-person consultation before issuing a prescription. This is because some health conditions can only be diagnosed once your pet has had a clinical examination by a veterinarian. Some medications might be dangerous to use if certain conditions aren’t otherwise ruled out, and sometimes this can only be done in person. Your pet also might need further tests such as blood tests or X-rays before any medication can be issued.
Bear in mind that your veterinarian has a duty of care to you and your pet and will not issue a prescription after an online vet consultation if they do not feel it is safe or appropriate to do so. There are certain criteria, set by the governing bodies of the veterinary profession, that need to be met before medication prescriptions can be issued by your veterinarian.
Can Online Vets From Telehealth Services Write Prescriptions for Pets?
Virtual vets from online tele-triage or telehealth services cannot legally issue your pet a prescription for medication. A telehealth consultation can be provided, even if the veterinarian has never have examined your pet in person and does not have access to their medical history. This means that they cannot deem your pet as ‘under their care’. They can only offer general advice and help to determine how soon your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian in person.
Types of Questions a Veterinarian Will Ask Before They Can Write a Prescription
Even if your veterinarian has seen your pet recently, there are several questions that they might ask and information they require before they can write you a prescription. These might include:
- How long ago the problem started
- How your pet is generally and what their energy levels are like
- If you have noticed any differences in their behavior
- Whether there are any changes in their eating or drinking habits
- If your pet has had any vomiting or diarrhea
- If there have been any recent changes to their routine or to their environment
- Whether they are currently receiving any medications or supplements
They might also ask for videos if your pet is showing a particular behavior, especially if they are not displaying it all of the time. Videos and photographs can be very helpful for your veterinarian to diagnose the problem so try and have these to hand at the time of your online vet appointment.
Conclusion
Virtual veterinarian visits can be very useful and have many advantages for both you and your pet. If you are having an online telemedicine visit, they may be able to write your pet a prescription without seeing them in person. However, there are some circumstances where they will need to examine your pet in person or perform additional tests, before writing your pet a prescription. Online telehealth and tele-triage vets that have never met your pet before cannot legally write prescriptions for medication, but can offer general advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vet prescribe medication without seeing the patient?
No. A veterinarian will prescribe medication to patients after an initial visit. If the patient has already been seen by the veterinarian, prescriptions can be made in-person or virtually through a telemedicine appointment.
How long does my vet need to have seen my pet before they can write a prescription?
This depends on the individual pet, what the problem is, and what type of medication they require. It is usually between 6-12 months but could be reduced depending on these different factors.
Why can’t online vets write a prescription for my pet?
It is a legal requirement to have examined a pet in person before a prescription for medication can be written. Online vets also do not have access to your pet’s medical history and therefore prescribing medication could be dangerous. This is because they could be unaware of previous adverse reactions to certain types of medication, ongoing health conditions, or medication that your pet is currently receiving.
