A Veterinary Video Consult allows us to view your pet without needing to come into the office.
New Service! Veterinary Video Consults (VVC) via Skype
Due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, and in order to continue to assist our clients and their pets while limiting in-office interaction unless absolutely necessary, we’re also now offering VVC’s – Veterinary Video Consults – via the use of Skype technology. This allows us to address concerns and answer questions about your pet for minor issues and injuries without necessarily needing to physically come to the office. This helps further reduce in person interactions and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It also allows people with limited mobility or transportation for themselves and their pets to be able to reach us with questions and for a consultation in their time of need, without ever having to leave their home.
This is a new service, and appointments are still required as usual to ensure that our staff is able to be able to provide their undivided attention via video chat with you and your pet at the scheduled time. Learn more about VVC below!
Details on Veterinary Video Consults
- Appointments are required, just like with any other in-office non-emergency exam. Please call us at 973-579-1155 to schedule your appointment and specify when making the appointment that you would like a Veterinary Video Conference rather than an in-office exam.
- Once you have booked your appointment, we will provide you with the information on how to video conference us at the scheduled time.
- The cost is between $20 – $50 depending on the duration of the call and the depth of the situation for each individual pet. An estimate will be provided to you when you schedule your appointment, and payment is due at the time services are provided, as with any other appointment.
- If, during the video conference, it is deemed necessary for your pet to be seen in person, the VVC fee will be applied towards the in-office exam cost so you can rest assured you will not be double-charged.
- Please know that not all services can be provided via video consult – when you call to make your appointment it is important for you to let us know what is going on with your pet so that we can properly schedule you and ensure we’re able to help in the best way possible.
What do I need to be able to participate in a Veterinary Video Consult?
We highly recommend utilizing the Skype app – it’s free – to take full advantage of your veterinary video consult. You can use the Skype app or Skype on the web on any desktop or laptop computer, or download the Skype app on any Android or iOS mobile device. The app and using the service from a Skype account to another Skype account is always free and works with either WiFi or through your data service on your cell provider. Simply contact us at our account (information to be provided when you book your appointment) at the time of your scheduled appointment and we’ll be there to help! Be sure to enable your video camera so we can see your pet to better assist you!
If you do not need to use the video portion of the service or do not have a mobile phone or computer with video capabilities, you can reach us via any phone or landline at our dedicated VVC number which will be given to you once you book your appointment.
How does a Veterinary Video Consult work?
We handle our VVC’s similar to an in-office appointment, only via video chat through the use of technology. This does mean that we’re a bit limited in what we can do and how we can help as we can’t physically examine your pet, listen to their heart or lungs, palpate them, or give vaccines, just to name a few. What it does mean, however, is that we can help determine if your pet can be managed with at-home care without needing to come to the office.
The types of issues we can best assess via veterinary video consult are lameness evaluations (is your dog or cat limping or walking funny?), hot spots and skin issues such as rashes, skin tags, and similar. We can also help evaluate most basic cuts and scrapes and help determine if this is something you can handle at home. Because of some of the limitations of video consults, there may be times when it will be recommended to have you pet seen in person, in the office. Should that be the case, the VVC fee will be applied towards your in-office exam – you will not be double charged!
So you can book your Veterinary Video Consult without the worry about having to pay a second time should we need to see your pet in our office to be able to help. The consult fee – usually between $20 to $50 depending on the individual case and situation – will be applied towards the in-office exam fee when you come in as a recommendation of your video consult.
How do I prepare for my Veterinary Video Consult?
We recommend you have the Skype app installed in advance and ready to go if you don’t already have an account. We’ll provide you with our VVC contact information, and when it is time for your appointment, simply contact us via Skype and we’ll answer.
For a good quality video, we recommend ensuring you are connected to reliable WiFi, or are using your cell phone provider’s data plan with sufficient data in a good service area. Make sure your pet is available, inside, and if you need help, that you have someone else with you to hold the phone or assist with your pet.
That’s it!
We thank you for your patience and support as we work diligently to support our staff, our clients and their animals, and our community throughout these unique times. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us or call us at (973) 579-1155 and we are happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule your Veterinary Video Consult today.
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