Vets Now is merging its Video Vets Now service with the PawSquad telehealth business. Pet owners who choose to use Vets Now for emergency advice will now have access to 24/7 telemedicine advice while PawSquad clients "can take advantage of market-leading emergency and out-of-hours services".
The merger, says the firm, is set to create a more robust and comprehensive telemedicine offering, benefitting both clients and the veterinary community.
PawSquad, which handles over 4,000 cases per month in the UK, will combine its services with the 1,000 cases managed by Video Vets Now. Both Vets Now and PawSquad are part of IVC Evidensia, and the merged entity will operate under the existing PawSquad brand.
Dave Leicester, an emergency vet and the existing head of telehealth at Vets Now, will head the newly combined PawSquad team. "By merging Video Vets Now with PawSquad, we are positioning ourselves to offer unparalleled telemedicine services," he says. "Pet owners will benefit from 24/7 access to telemedicine support, ensuring their pets receive the best care and reassurance whenever, and wherever, they need it."
The scope of the PawSquad service is triage, where patients are either well enough to be offered just advice or physical examination by a vet is recommended. According to Dave, the fact that so few telemedicine appointments are referred on to a face-to-face consultation is a key benefit for pet owners and the veterinary profession.
“Around two-thirds of telemedicine cases don’t need to be seen urgently by a vet. Often, these cases involve pet owners needing some clinical reassurance, a trend we saw during the pandemic with many owners acquiring pets for the first time. Even as their pets age, we’re finding those relatively newer pet owners in particular are still looking mainly for advice and reassurance. As many cases are triaged remotely, the service therefore frees up clinical staff for genuine emergencies.
“Additionally, without the service many clients would have no other option than to attend for a full consultation at an out-of-hours clinic. Using PawSquad means clients save money, as we enable them to save their budget for daytime appointments instead. Following the triage consultation, if the pet does need a non-urgent face-to-face consultation, we always direct clients to their registered vet.”
The integration process of Video Vets Now to PawSquad will begin immediately, with the official launch of the combined service scheduled for middle of October.
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