Telemedicine

HEAL Veterinary Hospital is pleased to offer remote healthcare services for our established clients and patients. With telemedicine, you can easily schedule and hold a virtual consultation from the comfort of your home whenever your pet is sick or injured. 

While telemedicine cannot replace the benefits of an in-person exam, it may serve as an adjunctive means without requiring you to transport your pet to the clinic. With virtual visits, the doctor can assist in diagnosing and managing a variety of conditions. We can also determine whether your pet needs to be seen, by whom (our team or perhaps an emergency clinic), and with what level of urgency. 

Because animals cannot tell us how they are feeling, veterinarians rely heavily on physical exams and testing to accurately diagnose a patient. Therefore, when in doubt, the recommendation will always be to schedule an in-person appointment.  

Please note that due to New York law, veterinarians are not permitted to diagnose, treat, or prescribe medication without an existing “Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship” (VCPR).  The current standard of care to satisfy this requirement is a physical exam within one calendar year. Therefore, our telemedicine services are only available to active clients whose pets have received an onsite exam within the last twelve months.

If you are a new client or have a pet that is not current on their annual checkup, we can offer advice and make general recommendations virtually but cannot officially diagnose or dispense medication. 

Have questions or concerns about telemedicine or any of our other services? Give us a call. We are here to help!