How does telemedicine work?
“Vets use so many senses when examining an animal — one of the most important being touch”
However, when the government issued instructions to limit non-essential contact, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) decided that this rule should be temporarily lifted to allow the remote prescribing of such medicines.
In the recent climate telemedicine has been particularly useful for people who are isolating, either because they are showing signs of the disease or because they are vulnerable. Veterinary practices have also been instructed by the RCVS to only see urgent or emergency cases, so telemedicine has played an important role in assessing horses to see if a visit is actually required. Some cases and conditions — such as wounds, skin problems or minor ailments — are much more suited to telemedicine than others, but it can also be useful for follow-up appointments where a full examination by the vet isn’t required.
First, you should make contact with your vet’s practice to explain your findings. If you request a remote consultation, the receptionist will schedule an appointment with the vet and may request further information, such as photographs or videos. You may even have to count your horse’s heart rate or breathing rate. The vet will then review the photos, videos, or additional information, and start a call with you. A video call allows the vet to get the most information possible about your horse. They can see how he is behaving in his own environment, and assess his demeanour or look for signs of pain. If the vet thinks that your horse requires a visit so they can make a more thorough assessment, this will be carried out as soon as possible. Bear in mind that some practices have furloughed staff. Alternatively, after asking a number of questions, the vet may be satisfied that your horse can be managed without the need for a further examination. However, you may have to take samples and send them to the practice before medication can be prescribed. Samples that an owner can take from their horse include faeces, urine, hair, coat brushings and swabs of saliva or wounds. Samples can be posted to the practice or the laboratory and, once the results have been received, specific medication can be prescribed and posted out to your home, or you may be asked to collect it from the practice.