Trusted Veterinary Advice From the Comfort of Home

What Is Telemedicine for Pets?

Qualified Veterinarians

Veterinary telemedicine lets you connect with a qualified veterinarian online — for advice, triage, follow-ups, and ongoing care — without leaving your home.

 

Video & Messaging

Through video or message-based consultations, we can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s health quickly, conveniently, and safely.

No Waiting Rooms. No Travel.

Qualified veterinary care when you need it. We offer online video and chat consultation, just like your family doctor.

 

Benefits of Telemedicine

Fast, Convenient Care:

Get advice from a qualified, registered vet.

Stress-Free for Pets:

No car rides, no waiting rooms, no stress.

Ongoing Support:

Perfect for chronic conditions or post-treatment check-ins.

Connected With Your Clinic

We can review recent in-clinic consultations if you want to follow-up on previous concerns.

How it Works

1. Register at Your Clinic

If your clinic is partnered with Vetline, the reception team will guide you through registration. All plan durations are for 1 year, which gives us a current understanding of your pet’s health for tailored advice.

2. Download the Vetline App

Download the Vetline app. This is your platform to initiate telemedicine consultations with our veterinarians. There’s also great resources and pet education on there!

3. Connect with a veterinarian:

Initiate a message consultation, and our veterinarians will reply with timely and appropriate advice. Our veterinarians field consultations from 8am-6pm, 7 days a week.

For video consultations, you and our veterinarians will work together to triage concerns according to urgency. A quick chat will help your vet figure out whether a telemedicine message consultation is appropriate, if a video consultation needs to be scheduled, or if urgent referral to emergency is required.

Our team of veterinarians are always available to discuss how to improve our service for our clients.

What we can help with:

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Determining emergencies or if in-person vet exams are needed

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Mild symptoms

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Clarifying recent lab work and diagnoses

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Chronic condition management and follow-up

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Advice raising puppies and kittens

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Questions about medications

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Behaviour concerns and anxiety

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Nutrition and weight management advice

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Skin and coat issues

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Discussing flea, worm, and parasite prevention

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Follow-ups after surgery or treatment

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Quality-of-life and palliative care advice

FAQs

General

What is veterinary telemedicine?
Veterinary telemedicine allows you to consult with a registered veterinarian remotely via secure messaging or video calls. It’s ideal for triage, minor ailments, general advice, follow-up care and long-term management – all without leaving home.
What kinds of issues is telemedicine good for?

Telemedicine brings professional qualified advice in a world where the internet too often has misinformation and unregulated advice. We can help with a wide range of everyday health and behaviour concerns, including:

  • Skin issues (itchiness, rashes, hotspots)
  • Ear problems (scratching, discharge, shaking)
  • Behaviour concerns (anxiety, toileting, basic training advice)
  • Chronic condition management (arthritis, allergies, etc.)
  • Post-surgery follow-ups and healing checks
  • Clarification on recent lab work and diagnoses
  • Parasite prevention and treatment advice
  • Diet and nutrition guidance
  • General wellness questions
  • Triage for whether in-person care is needed

Telemedicine is not suitable for emergencies, major injuries, or conditions requiring immediate diagnostics or hands-on care.

Can telemedicine replace a physical exam?

Not always. While many conditions can be managed remotely, some cases still require a hands-on physical exam. If the consultation requires in-person examination, we will let you know when it’s indicated.

Is this service only for cats and dogs?
Primarily, yes. We focus on cats and dogs but may be able to assist with other small animals depending on the issue – feel free to ask.

Using Our Service

How do I book a consultation?

Once you’ve signed up, just message us through the Vetline app. We’ll determine whether a telemedicine consult or an in-person vet visit is the best next step.

How long are video consultations?

Most video consultations last around 15 minutes, allowing plenty of time for a thorough discussion, visual exam, and treatment plan.

Can I message you anytime?

Our service hours are from 8am-6pm, 7 days a week. We’ll respond during service hours and triage cases by urgency.

When will I hear back?

We can help with a wide range of everyday health and behaviour concerns, including:

  • Typical response time: Within 0 – 2 hours during the day (8am-6pm).
  • What if it’s an emergency? We’re not an emergency service. If your pet is in immediate danger, please visit your nearest emergency or after-hours veterinary clinic right away.

Safety & Privacy

Is my data secure?

Yes. We use our own encrypted messaging for communication, and all medical records are securely stored with your clinic in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

Will you share my information with anyone?
Never – unless it’s required by law or needed to coordinate referral care (with your consent). We don’t sell or share your data for any marketing or third-party use.