Pet telemedicine lets you connect with a licensed veterinarian online to get medical guidance for your pet without going into a clinic. It works best for non-emergency concerns, visible symptoms, and ongoing conditions, to complement in-person care.
Pet telemedicine is real veterinary care delivered remotely through secure online tools. Veterinarians use the history, visuals, and symptom details you provide to assess what may be going on and recommend next steps. Most vets see telemedicine as a way to improve access and continuity of care, in a way that’s faster and typically more accessible than in-person care..
What it is
• Guidance from a licensed veterinarian
• Symptom assessment and medical triage
• Support for recurring or chronic conditions
• Help deciding what can be managed at home versus escalated
What it is not
• A substitute for physical exams or diagnostic tests
• Emergency care
Online vet visits follow a clear and structured flow. Otis is designed to make this process simple and repeatable, especially for ongoing care.
Step 1: Share your pet’s background
You create a pet profile and answer questions about your pet’s age, breed, weight, medications, diet, environment, and when symptoms started. You also upload photos of your pet and their condition. This background gives the vet important context before reviewing the issue.
Step 2: Show what’s going on
You join a short video call with the vet during your appointment time. Live visuals are especially helpful for skin issues, eye or ear concerns, mobility changes, and visible irritation. Seeing the issue helps our vets assess severity and patterns safely.
Step 3: You receive a clear care plan
Based on the information provided, the vet creates a personalized plan. This may include at-home care instructions, monitoring guidance, medication recommendations when appropriate, or a clear recommendation to seek in-person care.
Step 4: Medications are delivered if needed
If medication or other treatments are recommended, such as supplements, wipes, or medicated shampoos, Otis ships them directly to your door. Refills and reminders help keep care consistent over time.
Step 5: Follow ups and rechecks
You can schedule a complimentary follow-up appointment with Otis. For chronic or recurring issues, this allows care to evolve based on how your pet responds.
Telemedicine works best when visual information and medical history provide enough context for safe decision making.
Common high-fit use cases include
• Skin and allergy issues like itching, redness, hot spots, and paw licking
• Chronic conditions that need regular check ins
• Medication questions and side effect monitoring
• Post-treatment follow ups
These categories make up a large share of everyday vet questions and often benefit from early guidance instead of waiting weeks for an appointment.
Some situations require hands-on exams or immediate intervention.
In-person care is important for
• Trouble breathing, collapse, or seizures
• Severe pain or sudden loss of mobility
• Major trauma or uncontrolled bleeding
• Conditions that require imaging, bloodwork, or procedures
A common rule of thumb veterinarians use is this. If a symptom is rapidly worsening, painful, or affecting basic functions like breathing or walking, it should be seen in person.
Yes. When used for appropriate concerns, telemedicine is a safe and well-established way to get veterinary guidance. It’s especially helpful for triage, follow ups, and managing ongoing conditions, with clear recommendations if in-person care is needed.
You'll first complete an intake form telling us about your dog’s symptoms and medical history. From there you can either submit photos or book a video call for your virtual visit. A licensed veterinarian reviews your dog’s case (and may follow up with questions or a video visit), and prescribes a comprehensive treatment plan. Any medications ordered are filled by our partner pharmacy and shipped to your door.
