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Telehealth Services

Grey cat sitting on a laptop

Because every animal deserves timely care.

Our Veterinary Telehealth Services

Our telehealth services are here to give shelters and rescues quick, professional guidance when you need it most. While current laws don't allow us to officially diagnose conditions or prescribe medications without an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), we can still provide valuable support online. This includes obtaining detailed histories, recognizing potential health concerns, offering general care recommendations, discussing disease prevention strategies and guiding next steps for when in-person veterinary care is needed. Think of us as a resource to answer questions, share expertise, and help you feel confident in making decisions for the animals in your care. 

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Opportunities for Telehealth in shelters 

A VCPR must be established in order to diagnose and treat any animal.

First, it is important to understand the difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine. Please take a minute to read the definitions below. 

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Currently, we can only provide teleguidance. Read below to see what is offered in our teleguidance services and how it can still benefit your organization. 

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Michigan currently is trying to pass a law that would allow Telemedicine services to animals owned by shelter and rescue organizations which could dramatically help improve access to veterinary care! Please help support the passage of  this law by visiting this WEBSITE.

Definitions 

Telehealth  - The overarching term that encompasses the use of technology to remotely deliver health information or education. 

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Telemedicine - The remote delivery of healthcare services including the ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients without the need for an in-person visit. 

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Teletriage  - The remote evaluation of an animal to determine whether immediate in-person is needed. Teletriage can help determine if a patient needs urgent care or if they can wait for regular appointment. 

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Teleguidance/Teleconsulting  -  Allows a veterinary professional to provide remote guidance, recommendations and triage to animal owners/shelters. Guidance DOES NOT allow for the diagnosis or treatment of an animal. Shelters can still benefit receiving teleguidance from an experienced shelter veterinarian in cases where a general practitioner may not be able to recognize the unique challenges of health concerns in the shelter setting. 

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Veterinarian-Patient-Client Relationship (VCPR)  - the essential agreement between a veterinarian and client to provide veterinary services to an animal or group of animals of which the veterinarian has sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions about the animal's health. The VCPR also states that the Veterinarian and Client agree that the veterinarian assumes responsibility for making medical judgment regarding the health or the animal AND that the practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of therapy. By law, a VCPR MUST be established before a veterinarian can diagnose a condition, prescribe a medication, or treat the animal.  The VCPR varies by state and jurisdiction. 

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At this time, most states (including Illinois and Michigan) require that an initial in-person visit must be performed for a VCPR to exist and that a VCPR cannot be established solely through technological means. 

For information regarding the telemedicine and VCPR laws in your state, Click HERE 

Teleguidance/Teleconsulting Services

Do you have a tricky case and need an opinion for an experienced shelter veterinarian? 

Is your local veterinarian uncomfortable prescribing behavioral medications for the unique needs of shelter animals? 

Let use help you navigate through the unique medical and behavioral challenges of shelter medicine. 

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  • Dermatology​, Infectious Disease, Respiratory Illness, Gastrointestinal Illness, Musculoskeletal Injury

  • Treatment Plan Development

  • Prescription Recommendations or OTC Medication Guidance. 

  • Isolation and Quarantine Guidance 

  • Pediatric and Neonate Medicine

Medical Consultations and Case Review

Behavioral Consultations

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  • Remote Behavioral Assessments 

  • Stress Reduction Strategies for Shelter Animals

  • Behavior Medication Guidance

TeleTriage

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  • Remote triage of sick or injured animals to determine urgency of care

  • Reduce unnecessary visits to ER

Medical Foster Support

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  • Telesupport for foster caregivers

  • Neonate care guidance

Ethical Decision Making Consults

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  • Quality of Life and Humane Endpoint consultations for severe medical and behavioral cases

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