Pete the Vet: Rule change means I may not be able to give 'telemedicine' advice

The profession is far more conservative than doctors about allowing online assistance

Pete the Vet: 'The Veterinary Council of Ireland is currently finalising these new telemedicine guidelines. The proposed rules mean that, from the beginning of 2022, vets in Ireland who have not examined animals will only be able to offer pet owners “triage” or “general non-specific advice”.'

As a pet owner, do you ever read newspaper advice about readers’ pets, written by vets like myself? Do you listen to radio vet slots where questions about a listener’s pet are answered by a vet? And would you ever consider using an online service where you can ask a vet a question about your own pet, such as the “Ask A Vet” service on my website?

In the future, here in Ireland, you may not be allowed to do this any more. This type of advice service is under threat, because it falls under the broad categorisation of “telemedicine”. A new veterinary code of conduct aims to seriously restrict the type of advice vets are allowed to offer on animals that they have not physically examined.