4 Things to Know About Virtual Pet Care

Technology impacts so many areas of our lives, and that includes the ways that we deliver care to our furry friends. With televet services, you can get the help you need, wherever you are located. In this post, we’ll walk through four key things you should know about virtual pet care so you can make sure your pet is receiving only the best!

1. What to Expect During Virtual Vet Visits

Considering that remote vets aren’t familiar with your pet, they are going to first want to learn more about them by asking questions about daily habits and nutrition. Your pet’s well-being is important, so asking questions about their nutrition and bathroom habits can help give some insights into their symptoms or current state.

Next in these virtual vet visits, vets will typically do a head-to-paw inspection. Through this process, veterinarians are able to find out things like if your pet has an allergy or nutritional problem just by looking at the physical appearance of your pet, because the thickness, sheen, or texture of their coat can reveal such details. At this time, you may be asked to move your pet in front of the camera so that the vet can see everything they need to.

After the inspection, you’ll typically then begin discussing vital signs. Some things you may be asked to do is check and report your pet’s weight and pulse. The vet can walk you through how to do it, and healthy vital signs will help rule out certain conditions.

Lastly, during virtual pet care, vets will also typically ask about your pet’s behavior. This is the time that they’ll ask how your pet typically acts in your home. Understand that the vet is here to listen and can offer advice on ways to encourage good behavior, as well as tips to deter your pet from bad behavior.

2. Preparing for Virtual Pet Care

Considering these visits are virtual, one of the biggest things you can do to prepare for them is to ensure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and that your microphone and speakers are working.

Along with that, just make sure you have any questions ready, and if you are discussing something specific, such as the way your pet is behaving, try to get the behavior on camera as it’s happening. That way, you can show the veterinarian a visual, rather than trying to describe the issue only in words.

3. What Care Can Televet Services Provide?

While there are times when going in-person for pet care is necessary, virtual vet visits can often help you save a trip. Here are some cases where telemedicine is definitely a great option.

Chronic Conditions

If your pet has been dealing with an illness for a while, chances are you can utilize televet services to help manage them. Common conditions include:

New Symptoms

 You know your pet best, so if they start acting differently or showing new symptoms, this is when virtual health can come in handy. Some common symptoms could include:

• Coughing
• Itching
• Mild diarrhea or vomiting
• Eye infections
• Insect bites

Follow-up Care

If your pet just had surgery, you could save some time by just following up via the phone. Your vet can observe your animal over video or even just check in through texting with any questions or concerns.

4. Benefits of Televet Services

Telehealth has opened brand-new doors and opportunities when it comes to convenience. If you’re out of town, for instance, you could still communicate with your veterinarian if they offer these services, ensuring your pet stays well taken care of. Not only are these televet services easier on you, but also your pet. Here are some benefits of utilizing this form of care:

• Reducing stress – A lot of pets don’t get too excited when they know they are walking into the vet. Some even get anxious on the car ride there. Not only can these visits cause stress on your pet, but they will also affect you, since you’ll hate to see them worried. You can avoid this by just hopping on a computer or phone for a quick wellness visit.
• A potentially safer option – If your pet can become more aggressive during vet visits, it may be a better option to do a virtual pet visit. That way, you can be the one handling your pet and keeping them calm.
• Facilitating natural observations – Your pet is more likely to act like themselves and behave normally in your home than at a vet’s office. By having the vet observe the animal in their natural home environment, they may be able to diagnose them more easily.
• Resources are nearby – If you’re at your home, you’ll be able to answer any questions surrounding your pet or what they eat on a typical day with ease, considering you can check right then! If you don’t have these answers at the vet office, it may be more difficult to diagnose the issue.
• Quick and fast care – With virtual pet care, there is always someone available to help you. You also never have to worry about wait times!

Contact Pet Palace to Care for Your Furry Friends

Just like your vet, we go above and beyond to give your pet the love and attention they deserve. If you’re ever looking for services like grooming, pet boarding or doggy daycare, be sure to contact us at Pet Palace!

Categories: Cats, Dogs, Tips for Your Pets