Talking to an online vet is convenient and less stressful for your pet, but if you suspect your cat has an infection and needs antibiotics, is it the right option for you? The answer is a bit complicated. It depends on the laws in your state, the type of telehealth service you use, and your cat’s medical condition.
The ability to prescribe medications such as antibiotics depends on building a veterinarian-client-pet relationship and an accurate assessment of the cat’s health. This concept is quite complicated from a telehealth perspective, so read on to learn more about the facts and legalities of this situation.
Veterinarian-Client-Pet Relationships
A veterinarian-client-pet relationship (VCPR) is a legal term that describes an agreement between a veterinarian and a pet owner (also known as a client) to provide medical treatment to the client’s pet. A VCPR means that the veterinarian has the right to prescribe medications and make diagnoses, as well as the responsibility to keep medical records. Within this framework, the client is responsible for following the veterinarian’s instructions.
Without a VCPR, telemedicine services are referred to as teletriage or teleadvice and are limited in what is offered. Once a VCPR is established, veterinarians can conduct telemedicine to make diagnoses, prescribe medication, recommend treatments, etc.
Traditionally, VCPR could only be established through an in-person exam. However, the field is growing and changing. We review some of the complex laws that govern VCPR in the United States.
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Federal Law
A Federal VCPR may only be prepared by an in-person audit but may be maintained electronically. A Federal VCPR is required if:
- Veterinarians prescribe human medications, including over-the-counter medications, to animal patients.
- Using an FDA-approved animal drug in a manner other than in accordance with the approved label.
- I need to compound medicine for my pet.
These situations are quite common in veterinary practice, so an in-person consultation will likely be necessary to administer the medication your cat needs.
State Law
State laws regarding the establishment of a VCPR are found in the state’s Veterinary Practice Act. These ever-changing regulations govern whether a VCPR can be established or maintained electronically. Some states allow a VCPR to be established electronically and give veterinarians the right to prescribe medications via telehealth.
States also have different rules regarding what drugs can be prescribed, prescription deadlines, and requirements for remote medical consultations (for example, video chats may be required). Therefore, to fully answer your question, you will need to check your state’s current veterinary practice laws.
Other factors that influence drug prescribing
Assuming your state allows you to establish a VCPR electronically and your pet does not require medications that would require a federal VCPR, there are other factors to consider that will help you determine whether your cat can get what she needs in the comfort of your own home.
Service Platform
Where you access your online vet matters. To establish VCPR, your veterinarian must be licensed to provide veterinary services in your state. So if you’re accessing a video chat with a veterinarian through an international website, the service they’re providing may be remote advice rather than telemedicine.
On the other hand, consulting with a veterinarian licensed in your state may meet the requirements to establish a VCPR.
Animal status
The final factor is, of course, whether prescribing a medication such as an antibiotic is in the animal’s best interest. Even if VCPR is established, your veterinarian must be able to accurately diagnose whether your cat needs antibiotics.
A limitation of telemedicine is that without an in-person consultation, veterinarians cannot perform routine tests such as listening to your cat’s heartbeat, taking your temperature or conducting additional tests such as urine or blood tests or imaging studies.
So in many cases, depending on your cat’s specific situation, your vet may not be able to prescribe antibiotics because they were unable to determine the need for them, and you may still have to take your cat to the vet even if you have a remote medical consultation.
Should I get a veterinary telemedical consultation?
If you think you could benefit from veterinary advice without a VCPR, you could try our remote triage and remote advice service. Situations where this might be a good idea include:
- Get general pet care advice
- Deciding whether to visit the emergency department outside business hours
- Discuss existing diagnoses and treatment plans
- Checking the surgical site
- Access general information about specific conditions or illnesses
Situations in which establishing a virtual VCPR may be appropriate and allow veterinarians to prescribe treatment include:
- Follow-up visit
- Minor skin disorders
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort lasting less than 24 hours
- Sudden mild limping
- Behavioral concerns
In many cases, an in-person visit to the vet is best for your pet. We strongly recommend taking your cat to a veterinary clinic if:
- Problems that don’t resolve after the initial telemedicine consultation
- Regular check-ups and vaccinations
- Urinary tract problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Gastrointestinal symptoms or not eating for 24 hours
- Weight loss
Conclusion
There are many situations where telemedicine can be extremely useful, with the added benefit that it can be less expensive than a traditional veterinary visit. However, many laws may limit the veterinarian’s prescribing powers when obtaining medications such as antibiotics from an online veterinarian.
Even if state laws are favorable, your veterinarian may not be able to determine the need for antibiotics over a video chat and may recommend follow-up exams or diagnostic tests. A good rule of thumb is to use telemedicine when appropriate and to schedule annual checkups so you can catch problems early.
Featured image credit: Indypendenz, Shutterstock
