Traveling with pets can be challenging because it comes with extra planning. Ensuring that you have quick access to a veterinarian can help ease some stress and worry, as you’ll know exactly who to call if your dog gets into an emergency situation.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can connect with a vet quickly while you’re away from home. Sometimes, you can simply reach out to your own vet. It’s also worth exploring different vet telehealth apps you can use during your travels. We’ll go over practical things you can do if you need to talk to a vet when you’re on a trip with your dog.
The 3 Ways to Talk With a Vet While Traveling With Pets
It’s helpful to have one or two options for connecting with vets when you’re traveling. Here’s how you can ensure you’ll have fast and easy contact with a vet.
1. Contact Your Own Veterinarian
If you’re traveling within the US, you can reach out to your own vet if you have non-emergency concerns about your dog. Many vet clinics accept calls from existing clients with general questions. Calling your own vet can also be more convenient as they will already have your dog’s health records on file and have met your dog and examined them before. This gives more options as with a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) they may be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe medications if needed while you are away.
2. Use a Vet Telehealth App
Choosing a vet telehealth app can give you extra peace of mind when you’re traveling. Vet telehealth apps, like PangoVet, connect users to licensed vets through virtual appointments. Most of these apps offer video conference calls and live chat and have relatively short wait times to connect with a vet. Some of them also usually operate 24/7 so that you can speak with a vet at any time of day or night.
Some vet telehealth apps operate on a subscription-based model. By signing up and paying for a subscription plan, you’ll have access to either a predetermined or unlimited number of virtual appointments with vets within the app’s network. You can find some apps that don’t require memberships and provide the option to pay per appointment. However, this option is typically more expensive than signing up for a membership if you plan to use the app services multiple times. But it tends to be cheaper for one-time use, especially if you’re on a trip with your pet and you have a question.
It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of vet telehealth apps offer tele-triage and general advice for pet care, and they’re not meant to replace in-person vet appointments completely. They’re helpful when you notice something strange or concerning about your dog’s health or behavior or have a question about general health, nutrition, and wellness. In the context of traveling with pets, vet telehealth apps are most commonly used when dogs suddenly get sick while traveling, and their owners are looking for advice on what to do.
Overall, vets on these apps can let you know if your dog requires immediate care, or they can provide a general care plan. However, they can’t make diagnoses or prescribe medication.
3. Locate Emergency Pet Hospitals Near You
It’s also helpful to locate and write down the contact information of one or two emergency pet hospitals near your lodging. Most emergency pet hospitals are open 24 hours. However, always double-check to ensure you have the correct business operating hours in case the hospital closes on certain holidays. This will allow you to get your dog medical attention as soon as possible if they get into an accident or get sick unexpectedly.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Vet Telehealth Apps?
Sometimes, vet telehealth appointments are covered by pet insurance. However, not all pet insurance plans will pay for them. Therefore, make sure to clarify that a pet insurance policy includes vet telehealth appointments before signing up your dog for a plan.
Many pet insurance companies also offer their own vet telehealth service to customers paying for an active pet insurance plan. So, if you anticipate using vet telehealth frequently, it’s worth looking into companies that include it in their pet insurance plan benefits.
Conclusion
Knowing your veterinary care options can help ease stress and make you feel more prepared to travel with your dog. In most cases, you can connect with your own veterinarian for general questions and advice. It also doesn’t hurt to use a vet telehealth app and locate one or two emergency pet hospitals near your lodging. This will ensure you have access to veterinary care outside of your own vet’s business hours.
Featured Image Credit: Zivica Kerkez, Shutterstock
