Updated September 25, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Quick answer: A virtual vet visit is a video, phone, or chat consultation with a veterinary professional. It’s useful for triage, follow-ups, behavior questions, and minor concerns. It can’t replace a physical exam, and in many US states a vet must have seen your pet in person before prescribing medication, though some states now allow that relationship to be set up by telehealth.
What virtual visits are good for
- Deciding if a problem needs urgent care
- Follow-ups after surgery or illness
- Behavior and training questions
- Nutrition and weight management
- Reviewing photos of skin, eye, or wound problems
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
How to prepare
- Good lighting and a stable internet connection
- Your pet nearby and calm
- Medical records and a medication list
- Photos or videos of the problem
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.