Over the past few weeks, we have seen a dramatic increase in fuel prices as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Combine this with the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, it’s no wonder more and more pet owners are looking for cheaper alternatives to face-to-face veterinary consultations. One option is opting for a remote consultation, often referred to as “telemedicine”, which has grown in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine services can help to reduce the workload burden on a practice, allowing them to run more efficiently. But what are the real pros and cons of remote consults for pets and their owners, and are there any laws that affect whether your pet is eligible for one?
So, what are the benefits of a remote consultation?
It is important to note that not all veterinary issues can be dealt with via a remote consultation, but for those that are suitable, they can provide a range of benefits for pets and owners. For many pet owners, the main advantage of a virtual consultation is the lower cost. Not only are online consultations typically cheaper than in-person vet visits, but they also eliminate travel expenses associated with getting to a clinic. If an issue can be dealt with in an online consultation, it can be a great way to save on the overall cost of veterinary care.
However, there are benefits beyond budget. For anxious or reactive dogs, online consultations can be an excellent way to avoid the stress of visiting a veterinary practice. They can also help reduce stress associated with transport, particularly for cats who dislike carriers and travel. This can create a calmer, more natural environment for pets, allowing the vet to observe their true behaviour. This is particularly valuable when assessing behavioural issues, which may be masked or intensified by the anxiety of attending a clinic.
Online consultations may also be a better option for owners and pets with limited mobility, allowing them to access veterinary support from the comfort of their home. For owners with busy or inflexible work schedules, a remote consultation can offer reduced travel time and greater convenience and flexibility, once again improving access to veterinary care. The best way to benefit from a virtual consultation is to try and ensure it’s the right option for your pet in the first place.
What are the drawbacks of a remote consultation?
The main drawback of a remote consultation is your vet’s inability to perform a physical examination of your pet, dramatically limiting the ability of your vet to provide a prescription as part of a treatment plan. Whilst your vet will be able to take a history through a series of questions, they will not be able to perform any other diagnostic test, such as an x-ray or blood test, potentially delaying a diagnosis for your pet. With this in mind, there is an increased risk of misdiagnosis associated with virtual consultations. This is something to consider and prepare yourself for when opting for a virtual consultation.
Unfortunately, as with any online provider, scams exist. It’s important to use a trusted and recommended provider that uses qualified and registered veterinary surgeons, who are legally compliant and based in the UK. Your veterinary practice may even offer telemedicine services, so it is worth asking them first to guarantee you are using a trusted provider.
What does the UK law actually say around remote veterinary consults and prescribing?
In the UK, there is no single piece of legislation that specifically defines the rules around remote veterinary consultations. Instead, a combination of laws and professional requirements from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) shapes how these consultations are carried out in practice.
All qualified and registered veterinary surgeons are regulated by the RCVS and must comply with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. As part of their legal and professional responsibilities, they are required to provide a reasonable standard of care to all animals under their care. The RCVS guidance on telemedicine further states that advice given to animals that are not under a veterinary surgeon’s existing care can only be general in nature. In light of this guidance, if a vet considers that they cannot provide an appropriate standard of care with the clinical information available through a remote consultation, they are obliged to suggest that an in-person appointment is arranged.
Another important piece of legislation is the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, which state that veterinary prescription medicines cannot be issued without a proper clinical assessment. During an online consultation, a vet is unable to carry out a full physical examination or perform diagnostic tests. As a result, an online vet who has never examined your pet in person, and determines they cannot carry out a sufficient clinical assessment remotely, is fully within their rights not to prescribe prescription-only medicines. However, if you are consulting with your usual vet and they have recently performed a clinical assessment of your pet, they may be able to prescribe some types of medication as part of an online follow-up. If your online vet feels as though they have been able to perform a sufficient clinical assessment remotely, they may be able to provide a prescription, though this will vary on a case-by-case basis and the veterinary surgeon’s level of experience.
How do you know if your pet is suitable for a remote consultation?
As a rule of thumb, online consultations are best suited for non-urgent advice rather than for dealing with injuries or illness. Virtual consultations can be particularly useful in determining whether a pet’s condition requires urgent in-person attention or can be managed at home. In many cases, they help vets triage cases effectively, ensuring that pets are promptly directed to a clinic if necessary, while minor or self-limiting issues can often be safely monitored without a physical visit. This can also help owners avoid unnecessary out-of-hours fees by providing early guidance on whether emergency attendance is truly required.
They are also well suited to planned follow-up care. This includes post-operative checks and the ongoing management of chronic conditions such as arthritis, skin allergies, or epilepsy, where the aim is to review progress, without requiring further physical examinations. In addition, virtual consultations can be appropriate for preventative healthcare discussions. This may include advice on vaccination schedules, neutering, parasite control, nutrition, and general wellbeing. In these situations, the vet’s role is to provide guidance, reassurance, and early identification of potential risks, supporting healthcare planning.
Overall, virtual consultations are most suitable for cases where clinical history, visual assessment, and discussion are sufficient to guide decision-making, rather than situations that require hands-on examination or diagnostic testing.
If you are still unsure whether your pet is suitable, your vets’ reception team should be equipped with the knowledge to advise you.
The type of medicine makes a big difference
Although many medicines can legally be prescribed remotely IF the prescribing vet is able to gather enough information to do so safely, there are some that cannot. In particular, these are:
- Controlled drugs – e.g. some painkillers and anti-seizure drugs
- Antibiotics and antifungal medicines
- Antiparasitic medicines (e.g. flea and worm treatments)
While there are some exceptions for emergencies (e.g. a pet who cannot safely be examined without sedation), in most cases these medicines can only be prescribed at the time of a physical examination of the patient by the prescribing vet.
Following a face-to-face consultation, can you at least get your pet’s prescription online?
Yes, you can attend a face-to-face consultation and pay for a written prescription to order prescription-only veterinary medications online. Many veterinary pharmaceuticals can be found cheaper online, however, it is worth remembering that additional shipping fees may be added and there may be a delay in receiving them compared with purchasing them directly from a veterinary pharmacy. In line with the law, your online veterinarian would not be able to give you a prescription without having performed a sufficient clinical assessment.
Conclusion
Remote veterinary care certainly has a place within the veterinary industry, but it may not be suitable for every case. It is likely that future developments in digital tools and remote monitoring technology will further expand the range of cases that can be safely assessed online. As the field of veterinary telemedicine continues to evolve, professional guidance for veterinary surgeons is also expected to develop in line with changing technology, clinical practice, and client expectations.
Remember, there is only so much a vet can assess and provide through an online service, so it is important to be confident that a virtual consultation meets your needs. For general and triage advice, however, they can be an excellent option, helping to reduce stress for anxious pets, lower consultation-related costs, and offer greater convenience and flexibility to pet owners. If you are ever unsure, speak with your local veterinary practice to help you decide.
Further Reading:
RCVS Code of Professional Conduct – Chapter 4
Abu-Saida et al (2024) Veterinary telemedicine: A new era for animal welfare
Discussion