We live in a world of instant gratification. We do all our grocery shopping, and other shopping for that matter from the comfort of our couch. It’s not such a stretch to want to consult with your veterinarian from your home, but is that best for your pet?
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
- What States Allow Online Vet Prescriptions
- Can Online Vets Prescribe Antibiotics
- How to Get a Vet Prescription Online
- Conclusion
What States Allow Online Vet Prescriptions
A VCPR (veterinarian client patient relationship) may be established virtually in certain states in the US.
The states that allow online vet prescriptions are:
- New Jersey
- Vermont
- Idaho
- Virginia
- Florida
- Arizona
- California
There are states that allow VCPR, but there are restrictions with regards to the online prescriptions, such as they must have physically examined the patient previously:
- Oregon
- Nevada
- Montana
- Colorado
- Alabama
- Michigan
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- Connecticut
There are states that do not allow telemedicine relationships to be established, such as: Washington, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Texas, Connecticut and Utah.
There is Petcube Emergency Fund where you can consult with a qualified veterinarian, as part of your plan, to determine if you need to take your pet into the closest veterinary practice. This is a great system as you get confirmation of whether your pet needs to physically be seen by a veterinarian, and the added comfort in knowing that you are doing what is best for your pet.
California law states: “a veterinarian can render necessary and proper care and treatment to an animal patient without establishing a veterinary client patient relationship if conditions are such that one cannot be established in a timely manner”.
Can Online Vets Prescribe Antibiotics
Antibiotic resistant bacteria are a growing problem worldwide. There are many programs in place to promote antibiotic stewardship.
“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths” according to the World Health Organisation.
Veterinarians are bound by strict rules and regulations with regards to medications they want to dispense, they must be able to justify the medication prescribed and have a valid veterinary-client-patient-relationship. This means that they need to have personal knowledge of the pet, have seen the pet physically in recent months, or in some states it is allowed to have established the relationship virtually, and any necessary medical history of the pet kept on record. Due to the strict laws governing veterinarians, medications like antibiotics generally can not be prescribed via telemedicine.
How to Get a Vet Prescription Online
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states: “Having a veterinarian-client-patient relationship in place is critical whenever practicing veterinary medicine, whether you are practicing in person or remotely through telemedicine.”
There are federal laws in place that veterinarians cannot prescribe medication for dog’s that they have never physically examined or do not have a VCPR. A veterinarian must write the prescription and be willing to allow you to fill it on an online store, such as Chewy.
If you think antibiotics may be necessary for your pet then you will want to have access to a Petcube Emergency Fund that can confirm you do, and that can pay the vet bill for you.
Conclusion
A pet is like an infant, and a veterinarian like a paediatrician. Their patients cannot talk to them, and for the best possible care the vet should physically examine them.
“Given current technological capabilities, available research, and the existing state and federal regulatory landscape, veterinary telemedicine should only be conducted within an existing VCPR. An exception may be made for advice given in an emergency situation until a patient can be seen by a veterinarian.” :as said on the AVMA’s website.
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