Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: Online vet advice is most useful when you share clear details: your pet’s age, weight, breed, medical history, current medications, what you’ve noticed and when it started, and photos or videos. An online vet can help judge urgency and give general guidance but can’t examine your pet, so emergencies need an in-person clinic.
Information to have ready
- Species, breed, age, and weight
- Spay/neuter status
- Existing conditions and all medications, supplements, and preventives
- What signs you’ve seen, when they started, and how often
- Appetite, drinking, urination, and stool changes
- Clear photos or short videos (walking, breathing, skin, eyes)
- Anything your pet may have eaten
Good questions to ask
- How urgent is this?
- What signs would mean I should go to a clinic?
- What can I safely do at home in the meantime?
- Does this need tests or an exam?
What online vets can and can’t do
- Can: help you judge urgency, answer general questions, advise on home care for minor problems, review photos and videos, and support follow-ups
- Can’t: examine your pet, listen to the heart and lungs, take temperatures, or run tests
- Prescriptions: in many US states, a vet must have examined your pet in person before prescribing. Some states now allow this to be established by telehealth. Rules vary and are changing
Go to an emergency clinic now, don’t wait online, if your pet has
- Trouble breathing, or blue, gray, or very pale gums
- Collapse, seizures lasting more than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures
- A swollen belly with unproductive retching (possible bloat)
- Straining to urinate with little or no urine, especially male cats
- Suspected poisoning (also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661, fees apply)
- Major trauma, heavy bleeding, or a suspected broken bone
- Heatstroke signs
- Sudden paralysis or inability to walk
Sources
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Guidelines for the use of telehealth in veterinary practice
- AVMA: Veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and state laws
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Emergency medicine in small animals
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.