Vet apps a complete and utter waste of time

[Reallynothappyagain]

Typically when the vets are shut and it’s a weekend my cat became unwell.

We have insurance which gives us access to a Vet app called Joii. Has amazing reviews online. I felt really optimistic that as it’s linked to my insurance company I’d get some help.

Got connected to a bot who asked lots of questions. Then got connected to a vet. He asked lots of questions, asked for photos and a video of my cat. All provided. He then asked if I had medication at home for my cat and listed 3. Of course not. Then asked did I have a cone err no.

IHe said she needs to see a vet. I asked if he could provide authorisation to use out of hours vet as it’s £270 here before you even set foot in the door.

He said they can’t do that. I asked if he could prescribe medications he said under UK law they can’t unless they physically see an animal.

So basically his advice was to see a vet. What a waste of time.

I genuinely thought they’d be able to prescribe (GPs prescribe after a phone consultation!!).

Had anyone used this app and have good things to say? I found it a complete waste of time.

I don’t think it’s a waste of time if a legit vet can advise you on best course of action. There are heaps of conditions and symptoms they can advise on – and also whether something needs immediacy or not. I don’t think it’s unreasonable that a vet shouldn’t prescribe medication when they haven’t physically seen and examined the animal either.

The unfortunate event of having an unwell pet out of hours is just part of the risk of having a pet.

Our vet have a hotline for out of hours which is a similar service. We’ve found it very helpful.

GPs prescribe medication on a daily basis after telephone consultations only. And a vet can’t prescribe even after a video consultation.

My cat needed an eye drop which he wasn’t allowed to prescribe.

He was unable to authorise me to use the out of hours vet even though it’s a service provided by my insurance company.

Felt like a waste of time to me.

Generally it is very annoying that you can't get basic meds for pets without seeing a vet. I phoned our vet the other day for some pain relief for Arthur as he was limping and had obviously been beaten up. We heard the fight. They wouldn't prescribe without seeing him, but he hates the car and carrier. So we agreed I would do a watch and wait. He was actually fine the next day, but when you can buy basic meds for children, I never understand why you can't do the same for pets.

It’s all about making money, they’re a business after all. When my daughter was tiny she chucked my cats medication down the loo.

I rang vets and asked for a new bottle which I knew I’d have to pay for. They insisted they couldn’t prescribe it again without another face to face appointment!

Vets are bound by rules and regulations. If they break these they could be reported and possibly loose their 'licence' ( be struck off)
This includes that if you precribe any prescription medication you have to see the animal. This even counts for prescription flea and worm treatment ( for these they have to be seen once every 12 months, specifically for this- usually done at vaccination date but if not vaccinated they have to be seen)
Antibiotics/ Antinflammatories they have to be seen for each condition/ problem before prescribing them, chronic problems that require regular medication they need to be seen at least once every 6 months. It is the LAW.
Online/ video consults can help for certain things....as wounds can be bathed sometimes, diarrhoea can be treated with bland food, paste that is non prescription Etcetc.

I'd assume an app could only do similar things to my vet over the phone eg advice, yes you do need to bring them in now, no you can wait and just bring them in if x happens.

All of this. No desire to be obstructive or money grabbing. Following the legal framework within which they are allowed to work. I do think the insurance company should enable remote consulting vets to authorise an out of hours fee though where they feel it necessary.

Like a PP said, vets are bound by really strict procedures and regulations - they’re not allowed to prescribe over the phone (unless they’ve seen your animal recently and even then, only for certain medications).

Our cat is on daily anti-inflammatory medication and has to be seen and given a blood test every six months or we’re not allowed to get him any more medication.

Vet regs are tighter than for humans, humans can tell you what’s wrong though.

I'm not sure it's "the law". It's a condition set out by the RCVS for it's members, and it's very much a protectionist policy. According to my vet practice anyway. Not so long ago you could get repeat flea and worm treatment without a prescription or seeing the vet. So.... I now just get them on line.

Veterinary medications are also hugely overpriced compared to human equivalents. Vets are not to blame for this, the manufacturers are.

To practice vets need (legally) to be members of the RCVS. This requires that they follow RCVS "guidance". Same result really.

But that was what was necessary in your particular case. They will have had other cases where they gave different advice.

Why do they have to see the cat in order to prescribe flea and worm treatment tho?

Because it's a new regulation - they don't have a choice. They need to see the cat in person, make sure it's healthy, weigh it etc. before they're allowed to prescribe.

It's law in the sense that it is part of the veterinary regulations that practises have to follow. They can't just decide not to bother, or they'll lose their license and have to close.

The reason you could get them without an appointment not so long ago is because the regulations changed very recently. It's not your vets' fault that the rules have changed.

Yeah also they don't know how much medicine to give until they've weighed them.

Exactly. We have three cats - all different weights and need different amounts of flea and worm treatment. One is also on other medications so our vet needs to make sure there are no issues prescribing both.

I take my cats to be "MOT'd" every year anyway so it's no issue for me. Most insurance policies require it before they'll pay out for certain things so it's worth doing even if your pets are healthy.

Of course a vet needs to see an animal before prescribing safely. It is very different to a human who can tell a Dr over the phone it they are feeling sore, lightheaded, hot etc.

I volunteer for a local cat rescue charity (help with fundraising, not caring for the cats). When I looked at the charity figures almost all the money raised goes on vet fees, and the spend had more than doubled over the previous year. I suspect that reflected vet businesses making more money rather than more cats being treated. Many vet practices have been taken over by big businesses, with corresponding increases in fees.

Yeah one of mine is really skinny the other a bit tubby. So two different weights categories. Both perfectly healthy and eat what they want.

Though the fat one is meant to be on a diet?! 😂

I had joii through one of my insurers and firstvet through another- i found first vet much easier and less frustrating. i think its just luck of the draw who your insurer chooses to work with

Firstvet have been absolutely brilliant. They were able to prescribe but through my vet. Ultimately, they can't replace a physical examination, just like doctors can't. They can only provide a certain level of care or advice.

We had to put our fat one on a diet a few years ago - he hated us 😂

Haha. Poor kitty! I'm fully able to keep to the regime but certain other family members just look at him and say he looks hungry and it's mean to deprive him?! 😂

Yep! I've had the same with Joii.