Introducing Vetster: Veterinary Telemedicine
Owning a pet is a rewarding experience. You two share a special bond of trust that goes both ways. Tending to your pet’s needs no matter where you are or what time of day it is can show just how much you care. It’s the unwritten, unspoken contract of responsible pet ownership to keep them happy, healthy and safe in return for their companionship and unconditional love.
Introducing Vetster – Where Pet Health Lives
An innovative pet wellness marketplace that connects pet owners to on-demand online veterinary appointments, that provide convenient, efficient medical care over a telehealth platform.
24/7 On-Demand Veterinary Appointments.
What is it?
Pet healthcare is not a 9-5 concern, Vetster is 24/7 on demand veterinary appointments. Vetster connects pet owners to thousands of licensed veterinary professionals ready to provide online pet care through video, chat and voice-enabled appointments anytime, anywhere. This expands the access to veterinary care via Telemedicine and Telehealth as a new complementary tool in veterinary medicine.
How Does it Work?
- Search by your location anywhere in Canada, the U.S.A., and United Kingdom
- Enter your availability
- Search by the species treated, and more.
Connect with a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician in minutes.
Source quality advice from the comfort of your own home.
Be even more specific by searching specialties and qualification levels. The freedom is yours.
Your veterinarian or veterinary technician will answer your questions during the session and provide approximately 15 minutes of diagnosis for your pet. You can explain the issue with your pet and show your pet on camera. Vetster also has an option to upload any photos, videos, and medical records to your pet’s profile prior to your appointment.
Vetster Professionals:
The professional that performs the virtual veterinary appointment must pass stringent background checks, have a valid license to practice, and be in good standing with their governing body. You need to be a licensed DVM, RVT, CVT, or LVT.
This means you get the exact same one-on-one care that you would receive from your veterinarian in clinic.
Countries included in the platform are Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Advantages of Vetster
- Great news for those living in remote areas
- Connect with a veterinarian anytime, anywhere to suit your schedule
- Screen the veterinarians or technicians before booking your appointment by reading their profiles and reviews
- Easy-to-use desktop or mobile platforms
- Access to veterinary care when you need it that would otherwise not be able to access veterinary care either due to temperament, lack of species specialty, geographic location, lack of veterinarian (read about the veterinary crisis)
- Anxious pets who hate car rides or in-clinic visits
- No more unnecessary waiting in the emergency clinic
- No more travel time
- No more waiting in vehicles
- No more social distancing
- A valuable service to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Booking is advanced with dozens of tags and search filters to make your search precise
- If applicable and available in your area, Vetster RX (read FAQ) can prescribe prescriptions right to your door (only available in some states); while in Canada, prescriptions can be fulfilled and ready for pick up at your local vet or pharmacy, as this is governed by local laws.
What Vetster is NOT
- It is not a replacement for regular in-office visits.
- Calls must be scheduled at least 30 minutes in advance.
- The consults are 15 minute time slots.
What Types of Concerns Can Vetster Advise?
A Vetster session with a veterinary technician can cover general health and wellness; they cannot diagnose or prescribe. Choose Vetster Wellness. These include concerns such as the following:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Behavioral issues
- Weight management
- Quality of life decisions and counseling
For more concerning issues, a session with a veterinarian is more appropriate. They can diagnose, treat and prescribe:
- GI issues like diarrhea and vomiting
- Skin issues like itchiness, redness, and rashes
- Unexplained limping or lameness
- Aggression or behavioral concerns
- General health and wellness concerns
- Minor cuts or wounds
- Dietary concerns and nutritional advice
- Wellness and training advice for puppies or kittens
- Infections
- Toxicity concerns
- Seasonal issues like bug bites or allergies
*These types of consultations do not replace a face-to-face vet visit if you’re facing an emergency.
How Do Prescriptions Work?
If your veterinarian recommends a prescription, it will be uploaded to your pet’s profile and available in a PDF form.
You have the option of using your own pharmacy or utilizing one provided by Vetster.
*Vetster does not prescribe narcotics or controlled substance prescriptions to be written.
Why Choose Vetster?
- If you are in need of peace of mind and cannot get to a veterinarian physically
- You have access to thousands of veterinary professionals online at any time of the day or night with just a few clicks
- High-quality advice from actual veterinary professionals online
- Vetster’s price point makes this innovative platform something everyone can afford
- Quick and easy to use
- One-on-one attention in the comfort of your own home, (field, car, wherever you may be.)
Vetster Named Pet HealthCare Company of the Year
Vetster has been awarded the Seal of Approval from Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA™), the leader in consumer product awards for families.
- 87% found that the app was easy to navigate and user-friendly
- 87% would recommend the service to someone they know
- 93% were satisfied with the network of veterinary professionals available in their area
- 93% would use the service outside of the PTPA testing program
Defining: Veterinary Telemedicine, Telehealth, and Teletriage
The global pandemic has changed the face of medicine.
Veterinary Telemedicine: Refers to the practice of veterinary medicine (advice, diagnosis, treatment) which occurs at a distance using telecommunication between a veterinarian and an animal owner. A veterinary medical practice tool, and involves medical information regarding a patient’s clinical health status communicated via electronic methods. Telemedicine does not replace current veterinary medicine practice but is a complementary tool. A valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) must exist and all the other regulatory requirements, such as informed consent, must be followed to allow a veterinarian to diagnose and treat a patient via telemedicine. – as defined by the CVMA
Veterinary Telehealth: A global overarching term that includes all uses of technology aimed to deliver health information or education via remote means. Telemedicine is a branch of telehealth where a valid VCPR exists. Other branches of telehealth include teleconsultation and teletriage. -as defined by the CVMA
Veterinary Teletriage: Determines who needs to be seen urgently, who can be seen in person, or who can be managed remotely through this telemedicine service in order to ease the burden on veterinary medicine.
What is a Valid VCPR? Where a veterinarian has assumed responsibility for the medical care of a client’s animal, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s directions. It indicates a veterinarian has adequate knowledge of an animal to pursue diagnosis and treatments of various conditions and implies timely care and follow-up of the animal. The establishment of a valid VCPR most often requires a veterinarian to have completed a physical exam. -as defined by the CVMA
Synergistically Yours,
Danielle & Sheepdog Riggs
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