Teletriage is a type of veterinary telehealth service in which a veterinary professional remotely evaluates an animal’s condition to determine whether immediate in-person care is needed. This preliminary assessment helps prioritize cases, guide pet owners on next steps, and provide reassurance or education about potential urgency.
How It Works
Typically, teletriage involves real-time communication—such as a phone call, video call, or live chat—between the pet owner and a qualified veterinary professional (often a veterinarian or trained veterinary technician). Through targeted questions and, in some cases, visual assessments (e.g., photos, live video of the animal), the veterinary team can gauge the severity of symptoms, risk level, and the need for rapid intervention.
Benefits
- Improved Access: Pet owners can quickly connect with a professional for concerns that arise after hours or in remote locations.
- Timely Decision-Making: Determining whether a pet needs urgent care or can safely wait for a scheduled appointment can be lifesaving—and cost-saving.
- Better Resource Allocation: By directing only critical cases to emergency clinics, teletriage helps reduce strain on in-person services and frees up resources for pets that truly need hands-on care.
- Peace of Mind: Even if an owner’s concern turns out to be minor, speaking with a professional can alleviate anxiety and provide guidance.
Teletriage does not replace a full in-person exam or formal diagnosis. If an animal needs additional care or medication, an in-person evaluation under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is usually required.
By adding teletriage to your practice’s offerings or using it as a pet owner, you can help ensure animals get the right level of care at the right time—and that valuable emergency resources are reserved for pets in greatest need.