Veterinary Telemedicine is Catching Up to Human Telemedicine
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- May 1
- 2 min read
The veterinary industry has lagged behind human medicine in adopting telemedicine, but that's changing. The use of telemedicine in animal health care in the U.S. began in 2016 with the formation of the Veterinary Innovation Council. This led to key developments such as the AAVSB's endorsement of veterinary telemedicine in 2018 and the creation of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association in 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 17 states and the FDA temporarily waived restrictions on virtual veterinarian-client-patient relationships (VCPR). By 2024, states like Arizona, California, Virginia, New Jersey, Idaho, and Florida had permanently allowed telemedicine VCPRs. Currently, over 100 million Americans live in areas where a veterinary relationship can begin virtually.
Interestingly, the rate at which veterinary telemedicine is being adopted is similar to that of human telemedicine. Human telemedicine started with a few pioneering states and then rapidly expanded, with all 50 states now allowing doctors to establish patient relationships virtually, typically using video communication.
Human telemedicine's roots go back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the federal government funded research projects to explore its use. Early telemedicine involved phone calls, closed-circuit television, and video telecommunication. Oklahoma was the first state to adopt public telemedicine practices in 1993, using "store and forward" technology.
As states have become more comfortable with telemedicine's ability to support traditional care, criticism has decreased. Now, many legislators are recognizing its benefits for pets, particularly for owners with limited access to veterinary care. While the debate continues, the trend suggests that more states will approve virtual VCPRs in the coming years, and telemedicine will be seen as a valuable tool rather than a replacement for in-clinic visits.
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