SAN DIEGO — Accessing veterinary care for your pet has the potential to be more convenient in 2024. California Assembly Bill 1399 now allows telehealth visits for your animal.
"I'm thrilled for pet parents and pets alike," Mark Bordo said, who is the Founder and CEO of Vetster. "Behavioral concerns, aging concerns, food concerns, those are all great telemedicine questions."
He started the company after his 17-year-old Cockapoo was having tremors while on vacation, over a holiday weekend, which meant he had limited access to a veterinarian.
"Hundreds of conditions can be diagnosed online and you can get prescriptions right through Vetster," he added.
Vetster is a platform that connects you to a virtual vet within 30 minutes. You can pick based on price or whether they specialize in dogs, cats, reptiles or guinea pigs. And before Fluffy even needs that appointment, you can create an account and upload your animal's medical history, for free.
"Eye infections, ear infections, gastro issues, skin issues, if your dog was in a fight or ate some chocolate - those are all well handled by pet telehealth medicine," Bordo said.
I hopped online with my black lab Daisy and spoke with a doctor from Moonlight Vet out of Encinitas and Mission Valley.
"I've used it for myself, I've used it for my kids, but it's a little tricky for animals," Dr. Laura Halsey said.
The new virtual visit is $98. That's the same as an in-office visit and if you do need to go in, there's no extra charge. And know that telehealth technology isn't here to compete with your clinic.
"If your dog is in distress, I would run right to the emergency room," Bordo said.
But a telehealth visit can help get a quick question answered, from the comfort of your own home.
"I think it works a lot for post-operative re-checks. Often times for a spay or neuter check, we can see how your pet is doing. Skin infections though, we need to lift up the fur, we need to touch, we need to feel and it's key to get an annual exam, get their heart and lungs listened to and their body felt all over," Dr. Halsey said.
And with the nation experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, this should help more animals get the care they need.
Many animals with unmet needs end up in our already overcrowded shelters or with unnecessary suffering and an increased spread of disease.
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