Pet telemedicine often costs less than a basic in-clinic visit and can deliver meaningful savings in time, stress, and convenience. Whether it is “worth it” depends on the situation, but for many everyday and recurring concerns it is one of the most cost-effective ways to get veterinary guidance.
Key Takeaways:
- Telemedicine consults typically cost $75 or more for a quick-turnaround visit
- Otis pricing starts at low flat fees for common visits ($5 for flea, tick, heartworm and $40 for allergies)
- In-clinic visits often cost significantly more before diagnostics
- Telemedicine saves travel, waiting time, and stress for your pet
- In-clinic care is still more appropriate for hands-on exams and emergencies
Typical telemedicine pricing
Telemedicine pricing varies by provider and visit type, but common patterns include
• Basic messaging or text consults: Roughly $15 to $30 per issue
• Single live or video consultations: Roughly $45 to $125 per visit, based on length and complexity
These prices reflect the reduced overhead of virtual care compared to physical clinics, and many services offer tiered options depending on how in-depth the visit is.
In-person vet visit costs
Base visit cost:
- An in-clinic veterinary visit typically includes a physical exam. Based on national averages, this usually costs about $70 to $200 for dogs before any diagnostics or treatments are added.
Diagnostics add quickly:
- Additional testing can significantly increase the total cost. Common examples include bloodwork, which often adds $100 to $300, and X-rays or other imaging, which can add $150 to $500 or more, depending on the clinic and complexity.
Total visit cost:
- Once exams, diagnostics, vaccines, or medications are included, the total cost of an in-clinic visit can easily reach several hundred dollars, especially for more complex concerns.
How Otis pricing compares
Otis uses straightforward flat fees for common care paths rather than hourly or per-minute billing
- Around $5 per pet for routine care like flea, tick, or heartworm visits
- Around $40 per pet for skin or allergy visits
- Medication and treatment costs on top of the consult fee, depending on the prescription chosen
This model can be more affordable than typical telemedicine pricing and much less than many routine in-clinic exams, especially when visits are focused and goal-oriented.
When telemedicine is the most cost-effective option
Telemedicine tends to be most cost-effective for
- Recurring or chronic issues that require check-ins but not hands-on exams
- Visible, non-urgent concerns like mild skin irritation or behavior questions
- Follow-ups after prior diagnoses where monitoring is important
- Medication refills or adjustments without needing new physical exams
In these cases, virtual care often costs much less and provides faster answers.
Beyond direct fees, telemedicine often provides real savings in other ways:
- Travel and time off: No driving, parking, or waiting room time
- Lower stress for pets: No carrier stress and fewer unfamiliar sounds or smells
- Flexible scheduling: Evening and weekend options without clinic waitlists
These savings are real even if they don’t appear on a bill.
