Today, telemedicine, telehealth, and virtual care are staples of our own personal health care. The convenience of being able to meet with a medical professional from our homes is invaluable, especially for people who live in remote areas or are homebound. But what about our pets? Virtual care is available for them as well and is becoming an important facet of the future of veterinary care that is predicted to stay even after the pandemic.
Unfortunately, many cats do not receive veterinary care because seeing a veterinarian can be a very stressful experience for them. Cats still need to go to the vet, but having telehealth options available can help cat owners become stronger advocates for their cats by showing a veterinarian what’s going on when they are in the comfort of their own home. For example, a cat parent could have a video chat with a veterinary professional using their camera to show the condition of their cat. This is particularly helpful in a potential emergency situation or when a senior cat is less mobile. There are several benefits of virtual care for your cat, and you must consider their personality, age, behavior, and how stressful a visit to the vet can be.
Telehealth service providers, like Airvet, are adding significant value and support to pet parents to help manage their pet’s health and wellness. Pet parents simply download the mobile application, create a pet profile for their cat (or cats), and they’ll be instantly connected to a licensed veterinarian. They can opt for a video chat or a voice-only. There’s no traffic, no waiting room, and, most importantly, little stress for you or your cat.
Veterinary telehealth is a general term that refers to all uses of technology geared towards the remote delivery of animal health education, information, or care. Veterinary telehealth services provide a convenient way to deal with problems that do not warrant an emergency visit to your cat’s local veterinarian. It allows you the flexibility to connect with a veterinary professional virtually in real-time whether through text, video chat, or by phone. This is not a replacement for regular in-clinic visits including wellness exams where your veterinarian physically examines your cat as well as necessary diagnostics such as bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasounds, urinalysis, and vaccines.
