Schedule a Telemedicine Appointment
Thank you for your interest in engaging with our veterinarians via telemedicine.
Appointments are available Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Call to schedule: (530) 752-1393
What is a telemedicine appointment?
A telemedicine appointment is a pre-scheduled one-on-one consultation with a veterinarian via the Zoom communications platform that allows users to connect with video and audio. This allows the veterinarians to see your pet and potentially diagnose a health condition that is clearly visible (rash, laceration, limp, etc.). Clients will need a computer with a camera or a smartphone, as well as a stable internet connection. Telemedicine appointments are not conducted over the telephone.
Currently, the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) offers telemedicine appointments for the following services: Behavior, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Nutrition, and Orthopedic Surgery.
More specialty services may be added soon as this convenient appointment feature becomes more readily available for our clients.
Telemedicine appointments at the VMTH are only available to California residents.
Limitations and Legal Requirements of Telemedicine Appointments
Prior to your appointment at the VMTH, we would like to make you aware of the limitations and legal requirements of a veterinary-client-patient-relationship that is established via electronic means.
Importantly, the same standards and laws governing veterinary practice apply to telemedicine and in-person veterinary medical services. At any point in time, you have the option to choose an in-person visit. Our client service representatives are happy to help you book this type of appointment by calling the main hospital number: 530-752-1393.
In the event of an emergency or adverse event resulting from the care provided during this telemedicine visit, please contact your nearest veterinary emergency hospital. If the VMTH is your nearest veterinary emergency hospital, you can reach us 24/7 at the number listed above. To find a location nearer to you, the CVMA maintains a searchable list that is free for public use.
Before each consultation, your veterinarian will provide you with their name, contact information and veterinary license number. If the telemedicine visit is cut short due to technical issues, the telephone number on file at the VMTH will be used as a backup. Please ensure that we have your current information when you call to make your appointment.
California state law places certain limits on a veterinarian’s ability to prescribe medications using telemedicine. Specifically, using this method, veterinarians:
- Cannot prescribe controlled drugs (e.g. opioids, sedatives, etc.)
- Can only prescribe up to 14 days of antimicrobials (e.g., antibiotics, antifungals, etc.)
- Can only prescribe long term medications for up to 6 months
- Cannot prescribe drugs off-label
Prescriptions for your pet can be filled at the VMTH pharmacy or, should you prefer, a written prescription can be provided for you to fill at the pharmacy of your choosing. If you would like to receive copies of your pet’s medical record, please contact the VMTH at (530) 752-1393. To register a complaint related to your telemedicine visit, you may either send a message to VMCBilling@ucdavis.edu or contact the California Veterinary Medical Board.
Preparing for your appointment
- Before your appointment, you will receive a Zoom link via email for your appointment.
- Please log on 10 minutes prior to the start of your appointment.
- You will be placed in a waiting room until the veterinarian is ready to see you.
- You will also receive information about the cost of the appointment and a “consent to treat” document.
- We require that you return the signed consent to treat and make payment of the visit fee prior to the appointment.
- Payment can be made via the Client Portal. Please let us know when making the appointment if you need to register a new Client portal account.
- Please ensure that we have your current information when you call to make your appointment.