In light of the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, we have launched a new telemedicine service to remotely assess horses that we are no longer able to see on routine visits or at the practice.
Please be reassured that we will continue to treat urgently sick, ill or injured animals as normal.
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine allows our vets to evaluate, diagnose and treat your horse remotely using telecommunications technology, and without travel.
A consultation charge will apply for this service.
Why Are You Offering A Telemedicine Service?
Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, there are restrictions in place with regards to providing veterinary consultations. As such, we have decided to launch a telemedicine service, allowing us to offer continuity of care to your horses for certain cases.
Usually we would not be allowed to dispense medication if we have not physically seen the horse, however our governing body, the RCVS, has temporarily reduced the restrictions on this to allow telemedicine.
Is My Horse, Pony or Donkey Eligible For A Telemedicine Appointment with A Vet?
There are a number of consultations that we can use telemedicine for – examples include:
- Repeat medication checks (if stable)
- Mild trauma
- Skin issues
- Lumps
- Wounds
- Sarcoids or other skin tumours
- Nasal discharge/cough
- Inappetence
- Mild lameness/poor performance issues
Can I Choose Which Vet My Appointment Is With?
Unfortunately, you won’t have the option to choose which of our vets your appointment will be with.
How Do I Book A Telemedicine Appointment?
If you think that your equine requires veterinary care, please call us on 01332 294929 to speak to our team. You will be asked a number of questions, after which our team will decide whether it is an emergency. If it is we will send a vet to see you, if not then a telemedicine consultation will be offered.
If you have a visit, please ensure you follow our social distancing guidelines and discuss with us BEFORE the visit if you have any symptoms or are in self isolation, as we will then require someone else to be at the visit.
Payment for the telemedicine consultation will be taken at the time of booking.
How Will A Telemedicine Consultation Work?
We are using video calling software called Whereby to provide some of these consultations. This can be accessed on your phone or a tablet. There are some circumstances where this may not be appropriate e.g. if it is windy or poor reception. In these circumstances we will often use a combination of phone, video and photographs.
The vet will ring you on the same day as your query as soon as they are available to carry out the remote examination and send the link at this stage if you require a video call.
If you are having a video consult rather than a phone call please ensure you are in a well-lit area. It’s useful to have another person with you in case two hands are needed. Please also ensure that you have your horses passport available for us to see.
If possible please send us any photos and videos in advance of the appointment to farmandequine@scarsdalevets.com with your contact details. Please ensure you have booked your consultation before doing this to avoid confusion for our teams.
When your consultation begins the vet will confirm you, and your horse’s details before starting the consultation.
Based on your discussion and the vet’s observations, you will be advised one of the following:
- Your horse requires a consultation in person
- Advice on a solution to care for your horse at home
- An emergency consultation
You will then be advised on the next steps to take, and when you should seek further veterinary advice.
What If the Vet Recommends That My Horse Needs Medication?
Due to the current situation with the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the RCVS has temporarily allowed us to dispense medication following a telemedicine consultation.
The vet will prescribe any medication your horse requires and let you know when you can come and collect this.
Please remember that we are no longer allowing clients into the building. Upon arrival at the practice, you will need to call reception to let them know that you are here and follow their instructions on collecting your medication.
Prior to collecting any medication, payment is required over the phone.
Do I Have to Pay Another Consultation Fee If The Vet Needs to See My Horse In Person?
If you have been advised that one of our vets needs to come out and see your horse, or your horse needs to be brought to our practice to be seen in person (as a direct result of the telemedicine consultation), you will be charged our normal fee and the cost of the telemedicine consultation deducted from the bill.
