The pros and cons
There are a number of benefits to telemedicine, both for you and for your horse. Often a remote consultation costs less than a normal veterinary consultation and, of course, you will save money by not having to pay a visit fee. In most cases veterinary advice will be given more quickly as there is no need to wait for the vet to arrive, and you won’t have to transport your horse to the practice either — which, after all, can sometimes be stressful or tricky. Sometimes you may have a minor concern but are unsure whether it warrants a veterinary visit. In these cases telemedicine can give you peace of mind that you’ve had the problem assessed by a professional. However, there are limitations to online consultations. They shouldn’t be relied on in all circumstances, and must never be a replacement for a complete and thorough clinical examination by a vet.
Vets use so many senses when examining an animal — one of the most important being touch. Palpation or touch is important as it provides so much more information than can be deemed by just looking at an animal in a photograph or video. Palpation allows the vet to feel the firmness of an area, the amount of swelling, heat, pain response, and the degree of movement of structures, all of which can be difficult to appreciate from afar. Without this information there is the potential to misdiagnose a condition that could affect the welfare of the horse.
He may not receive the correct treatment, which will prolong his problem.
While some samples can be taken by the owner, others can only be taken by a vet, either because they are an act of veterinary surgery, such as blood sampling, or because they require specialist equipment, such as the collection of a fluid sample from the lungs. Also, in remote areas, a poor internet connection makes video calling difficult, so to save time and reduce stress it may be easier to arrange an ordinary consultation. And if the lighting is inadequate, or your horse is moving around a lot, the pictures will be of poor quality anyway. Always bear in mind that high-resolution pictures are required so the images will be clearer and not pixelated, making diagnosis easier. Telemedicine can be a great resource, enabling you to access advice quickly and without the worry of fitting in appointments around a busy schedule, disrupting your horse’s routine, or having to wait for the vet to arrive. However, it can’t be used to replace a full examination and it still requires the time and expertise of your vet.