Telehealth for Cats: What Is It & Should You Do It? (Vet-Reviewed)

If anything positive came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the normalization of telehealth services. Telehealth allows patients to see their healthcare providers without having to physically go to their offices. While it’s true that there are limitations to seeing your doctor virtually, the convenience cannot be denied.

Telehealth for cats allows you to consult with a veterinarian virtually, providing you with professional, personalized advice for your cat whenever you need it from the comfort of your own home. As with virtual doctor visits for humans, there are limitations to what services can be offered via telehealth, and it’s not appropriate in some situations. Read on to learn more about how veterinary telemedicine works.

How Does It Work?

The term “telehealth” refers to the use of technology to deliver health information or care remotely. Visiting a telehealth vet for your kitty will be much like visiting a veterinary clinic, except you can stay in the comfort of your home during the consultation.

Telehealth can occur via phone calls, text messages, live chat, or even email. It is best saved for triage or non-emergencies but veterinarians can offer personalized advice and answer questions on a wide range of issues including minor health complications, nutrition, behavior and preventative care.

The technology that comes built into most modern smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops will be all you need to connect with a telehealth vet.

What Are the Different Types of Telehealth for Cats?

Veterinary telehealth is a broad and all-inclusive term referring to aspects of veterinary care provided via technology instead of in person. The broad term includes tele-triage,tele-advice, telemedicine, telemonitoring, teleconsulting, and more.

• Tele-triage uses technology to supplement or replace the elements of traditional triage. It is the safe, appropriate, and timely assessment of animal patients via phone, text, or video call. Tele-triage allows veterinarians to assess the urgency and need for immediate referral to the veterinarian based on the pet owner’s report of clinical signs and often supplementation of visual information via photographs or video. In an emergency they can advise on care and stabilization until the pet can get to the nearest veterinary hospital.
• Tele-advice includes general recommendations for your cat’s health and wellbeing from a veterinary professional remotely. For the safety of your cat, those performing tele-triage and tele-advice are not able to diagnose conditions or diseases, provide prognosis, or prescribe medications.
• Telemedicine utilizes telehealth tools to exchange information about a patient’s health status electronically. For example, veterinarians can use technology to communicate with their clients and observe their patients post-operatively via virtual follow-ups. Telemedicine typically requires the veterinarian to have a pre-existing relationship with the client and patient.
• Telemonitoring (also known as remote monitoring) refers to the practice of using digital technologies to transmit and collect health data for patients who don’t live in the same location as the veterinarian. For example, a vet can remotely evaluate the glucose readings obtained from a diabetic cat wearing a glucose monitor.
• Teleconsulting occurs when a general practice veterinarian communicates with veterinary specialists via telehealth tools to gain insight and receive advice on the care of one of their patients. Teleconsulting isn’t a new technology, as it has been used in the veterinary space for decades.

Where Is It Used?

As already mentioned, telehealth can be highly convenient and take some of the stress out of vet appointments for both you and your cat. It isn’t suitable for all situations and should be looked at as a complement to in-house pet care and not a replacement.

Pet telehealth services are widely available and can be accessed from anywhere. Telemedicine options may be more limited as they require a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), typically established through an in-person appointment.

Advantages of Telehealth for Cats

Veterinary telehealth is generally more affordable and faster than in-person consultations. In most cases, owners can make same-day or even immediate appointments with a telehealth vet.

It allows pet owners to communicate with veterinarians from the comfort of their own homes. This is great for people who may not be able to travel easily to clinics due to distance, unreliable transportation, nervous animals, or the owner’s health status.

Some veterinary specialists found that cats, in particular, responded better to remote consults as they’re more likely to become stressed out during in-clinic visits. If you’ve ever tried coaxing a stubborn kitty into a cat carrier, you can certainly appreciate how much easier telehealth visits would be for both you and your pet.

Telehealth appointments are handy for common cat health concerns, such as mild diarrhea, sneezing, or skin issues. It can be fantastic for pet owners looking for advice for things like behavioral issues (e.g., noise phobias) and essential pet care (e.g., kitten socialization or dental care).

Disadvantages of Telehealth for Cats

Perhaps one of the most significant limitations of using telehealth for cats is that it cannot replace in-clinic examinations. Your pet should have at least one wellness exam annually, and your veterinary team cannot perform this exam virtually. Additionally, telemedicine is not appropriate in emergencies.

Not all clients and their pets will be able to access telemedicine services. If there is no existing veterinary-client-patient relationship, veterinary care professionals cannot diagnose and cannot prescribe medication. However, every state and province is responsible for setting regulations for telemedicine, and some may allow clients to establish that vet-client-patient relationship remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is veterinary telehealth legal where I live?

Every state and province will have its own set of rules regarding telehealth. If you’re unsure about the legalities in your area, we recommend contacting your provincial or state veterinary licensing board.

Does telehealth cost money?

Yes, although the cost of telehealth can vary greatly. Some may charge per consultation, while others may provide a subscription-based model, where you’ll pay by month or year.

Where can I find a telehealth vet?

There’s no shortage of telehealth services these days. If your current vet doesn’t offer these services, you can try one of the following smartphone apps:

• AirVet ($45/month)
• AskVet ($9.99/month)
• Dutch ($35/month)
• PangoVet ($29.95 per appointment)

Will my pet insurance cover telehealth visits?

It depends on your insurance plan. Some insurance companies actually offer their clients free telehealth consults just for being policyholders. If yours doesn’t, make sure you reach out to the company or read through your policy to see if telehealth visits will be covered.

Conclusion

Telehealth can offer cat owners a convenient and stress-free way to connect with a veterinary professional from home. While there are limitations to what can be done via telehealth and it’s not appropriate for every situation, there are many circumstances where it is extremely useful.

Since pet safety is the priority of every veterinarian, a telehealth vet may still recommend that your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian at an animal clinic or hospital for physical examination and hands-on care.

Featured Image Credit: garetsworkshop, Shutterstock