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Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find your dog is limping or your cat is pawing at her mouth repeatedly. Although no pet parent wants this type of situation to occur, the bottom line is that unexpected health issues happen at any time and don’t always follow your veterinarian’s typical office hours.
Virtual vet care, also known as an online vet appointment, is a rapidly growing service that allows pet parents to obtain the answers they need for non-emergency problems, follow-up care, dietary assistance, or behavioral help. Telehealth services experienced significant growth during the pandemic and have continued to increase in popularity since then.
When I needed a second opinion recently for a concern with my Cocker Spaniel, Sir Alvin, I reached out to the folks at TelaVets for a one-on-one conversation with a licensed veterinarian at a time that worked best for me. I booked the online appointment, and what follows is my honest TelaVets review so you can consider using the service for your dog, cat, or chicken’s needs.
What is TelaVets?
Officially launched in November 2024, TelaVets was founded by Dr. Christine Naoum Long. Dr. Long recognized the growing need for virtual pet care, particularly following the pandemic. TelaVets is ideal for any pet parent, especially those who:
- Lives in a rural area and lacks close access to regular vet care
- Owns anxious pets who are frightened during typical in-office vet visits
- Shares life with mobility-impaired or senior pets
- Are seeking affordable, after-hours veterinary care options
- Prefers the convenience of telemedicine
- Wants a second opinion about their pet’s issue
TelaVets is a pet telehealth service offering video appointments with real veterinarians across the United States. Each virtual visit is conducted by a licensed veterinarian, not a veterinary technician, customer service representative, or chatbot.
Depending on your location, Telavets is accessible 24/7 via computer, tablet, or smartphone.
They are an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, a NABP-verified pharmacist, and are LegitScript certified.
They are affordable, offer next-day home delivery of compounded pet medications, and provide same-day appointments so your pet receives the care they need promptly.
TelaVets is ideal for non-emergency pet issues, including allergies, coughing, ear health, flea and tick care, behavioral problems, dental care, urinary health, anxiety, arthritis/joint concerns, hair loss, follow-up questions, and second opinions.
Booking and Setup Experience
I felt extremely confident and comfortable in trying the TelaVets service based on these facts and because I wanted a second opinion about my Cocker Spaniel’s allergy treatments.
Here’s what to expect when you visit the TelaVets website to book an appointment with a licensed veterinarian through the service:
- Book an appointment or request a prescription: Pet parents are provided two choices from TelaVets: see a vet or get a prescription.
- Choose a date, time, and veterinarian: Video chats are conducted on ZOOM. Please note that your pet must accompany you during the visit. Select your state, click the date and time desired, and answer a few questions about your pet to assist the veterinarian. Pay the fee and you’ll receive both an email and a text message confirming your appointment.
That’s it! Two simple steps to book the appointment date and time that works best for you, even if it’s in the wee hours of the morning, mid-afternoon, or the evening.
- Each visit lasts 10 minutes and costs $65.
- The forms of payment accepted are credit card, Google Pay, and bank transfer.
- Your veterinarian will wait five minutes online for you, or the appointment will be canceled.
There are no special internet requirements other than a stable connection, access to ZOOM, which is free and easy to install, and a few minutes of your time. I was able to schedule an appointment for the next day, but many same-day appointments were available.
The Appointment
On the day of my appointment, I signed in to the provided Zoom link sent to my email and met with Dr. Nathaniel Alan Rakestraw. After introducing himself, Dr. Rakestraw asked if Sir Alvin was nearby, and I explained he was near my feet, chomping on a biscuit. Since I didn’t need to show Dr. Rakestraw anything on my dog, Sir Alvin didn’t need to appear on camera.
Dr. Rakestraw spoke clearly and slowly, asking me to explain Sir Alvin’s issue. I shared that my dog has been diagnosed with environmental allergies after our veterinarian performed HESKA allergy testing in the office. We received a list of offending environmental allergies from the lab, and we were given the option of using immunotherapy allergy drops to hopefully decrease his itchiness.
However, upon further research and discussion with Sir Alvin’s veterinarian, the option of immunotherapy shots (injections) was given. I asked Dr. Rakeshaw a series of questions about the pros and cons of each treatment method and which one would be best for my 3-year-old American Cocker Spaniel.
During the TeleVets video call, Dr. Rakeshaw informed me about the canine patients he has treated for allergies in his practice, and which method is considered the “gold standard” for environmental allergies in dogs (the shots).
He also shared that intradermal allergy testing requires the dog to be sedated, as the test involves administering tiny injections under the skin. It turns out that he has performed more intradermal testing versus blood testing for allergies on his patients, and he has had “really good results with it.”
I inquired about the efficacy of the drops versus injections in his years of experience. Although Dr. Rakeshaw was unable to comment on a direct efficacy comparison without having scientific data available; He indicated that I would see some improvement of symptoms, if any, within two to three weeks of beginning treatment. This actually contradicts Sir Alvin’s veterinarian, who suggested it would take much longer to see changes (months). I plan to discuss Dr. Rakeshaw’s advice during our next in-office vet visit.
Key Benefits and Features
Overall, I had a very positive experience with TelaVets and never felt rushed throughout the process. Knowing I had 10 minutes to speak with a licensed veterinarian, I prepared my questions ahead of time and suggest you do the same.
TelaVets stands out and is worthy of your consideration because of:
- Convenience: If you have a non-emergency issue, a vet is available anytime without the need to travel, wait in a lobby, or stress your dog, cat, or chicken.
- Affordable pricing: The $65 price tag is worth peace of mind.
- Access to a licensed veterinarian 24/7: Each appointment is with a real veterinarian who listens and offers actionable advice.
- Video call: Being able to show the veterinarian any areas or issues of concern on your pet is worth its weight in gold.
- Medications, if needed: If treatment is prescribed, TelaVets offers a unique compoundign service and ships it directly to your residence.
- Availability: If a non-emergency issue arises at night, in the early hours of the morning, on a weekend, or during a holiday, a licensed veterinarian is available to assist.
Pros and Cons
I like to weigh the pros and cons when considering a service like TelaVets. Here are the pros and cons in my experience:
Pros
- One-on-one video calls. Being able to talk to a veterinarian, discuss my concerns, and show them my pet if needed is worth the price.
- Peace of mind. I like to get a second opinion on some health issues with my dogs. Over the past several decades, I didn’t have access to a video telehealth service like TelaVets, so this was a bonus for me as a dedicated dog mom.
- No hidden costs. You know upfront that the video visit will be $65, so there are no hidden fees or unexpected costs. You can also decide whether to go a step further and visit your pet’s veterinarian in person, based on the TelaVets veterinarian’s advice or input.
- Fits my schedule. I love being able to pick the date and time that works best for me. If you’re an early bird, a night owl, or somewhere in between, TelaVets has options for you.
- Comfort of home. No car rides, stress, or hoping to get a visit soon for my dog.
- Real licensed veterinarian. It is very comforting and important to me to speak with a real veterinarian, rather than a chatbot, technician, or someone else with whom I may not feel as confident.
- Medication availability. TelaVets veterinarians, according to your state’s regulations, can diagnose and prescribe during your televisit. TelaVets operates within legal and state-specific guidelines to prescribe medications remotely. TelaVets also gives you the option of same day pickup at your local pharmacy or next day delivery from chewy.com or 1800petmeds.com
Cons
- Not ideal for emergencies. Never second-guess it when seconds matter and your pet’s health is compromised. TelaVets is not a substitute for an in-person veterinarian or an emergency veterinary service.
- Medication rules. Availability of a prescription and whether it can be shipped to your U.S. residence depend on state telemedicine regulations.
- Limited physical examination. A televet cannot put their hands on your pet, thus limiting the ability to listen to the heart, look deep into an ear canal, or palpate the abdomen.
- Limited species. Currently, the service is available for dogs, cats, and chickens in the United States.
- No follow-up. Each appointment with TelaVets is a standalone session. If you have further concerns or questions about the same issue, you will need to book another appointment.
- Time limit. Each televisit lasts 10 minutes, which may not be enough time for some pet parents.
Final Verdict: Is TelaVets Worth It?
I would consider using TelaVets as a pet telehealth service again if I had minor concerns, needed a second opinion, or if something non-urgent happened to my dog outside my veterinarian’s office hours. If you love your dog, cat, or chicken as much as I love mine, there is no price too high for peace of mind.
For 10 minutes of questions answered by a real licensed veterinarian that I can see and speak with, the $65 price tag is worth it. Unlike random Internet searching, I can ask follow-up questions in real-time and receive the answers from a trustworthy source.
There are no expensive subscription fees or sign-up commitments, which I appreciate.
Although TelaVets is not a replacement for regular veterinary visits, it is a convenient option that helps avoid unnecessary vet visits and is particularly beneficial for pet parents with limited mobility, transportation issues, or those living in rural areas.
If you are on the fence about trying the service after reading this TelaVets review, consider that not every pet issue requires an in-person vet visit.
TelaVets is a smart, hassle-free way to get your dog, cat, or chicken the care it needs from the comfort of home. For mild concerns, follow-up advice, or peace of mind, I highly recommend TelaVets for pet parents. Cheers to healthy pets everywhere!
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