VVCA's Model Telemedicine Regulations: A Guide for Veterinary Practices
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) has issued model telemedicine regulations to guide veterinary practitioners, associations, legislatures, and state boards of veterinary medicine in establishing virtual care practices. These regulations emphasize the importance of a veterinarian's professional judgment as the foundation for telemedicine.
Establishing a Virtual VCPR
According to VVCA, a virtual veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) can be established under specific conditions. Key requirements include:
Video communication that allows the veterinarian to observe the animal or the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment to transmit images and medical records electronically.
While real-time video is necessary for establishing the VCPR, it is not always required for subsequent telemedicine services.
Electronic transmission of existing medical records from previous in-person visits is encouraged to provide the veterinarian with historical knowledge of the animal.
Key Telemedicine Practice Guidelines
The VVCA's model regulations also outline several essential guidelines for practicing telemedicine:
Privacy and Confidentiality: Veterinarians must ensure privacy protections and maintain confidentiality for clients and patients.
Licensing: The veterinarian must be licensed in the jurisdiction where the client primarily resides or where the patient is located during the virtual examination.
Referral: Veterinarians should be prepared to refer clients to local veterinary practices for in-person care when necessary and provide contact information for those practices.
Client Consent: Documented consent for telemedicine visits must be obtained from the animal owner, acknowledging that telemedicine services adhere to the same standards of care as in-person services and that the owner has the option to choose an in-person visit.
Prescribing Medications
The regulations address the prescribing of medications through telemedicine, particularly antimicrobials:
Initial prescriptions based on a virtual VCPR should be limited to a 30-day supply and may be renewed once for another 30 days following a virtual or in-person examination.
A prescription cannot be renewed again without an in-person examination after being renewed once based on a virtual exam.
In-person examinations are required for prescribing controlled substances, with exceptions only for limited dosages necessary to maintain an animal's safety during transport to a clinic for an in-person exam.
VVCA's Mission
The VVCA aims to integrate virtual care into the standard of veterinary medicine by advocating for best practices, offering educational resources, and fostering collaboration among veterinary professionals. The organization welcomes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, nurses, industry stakeholders, and students to join their movement.
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