La Jolla company brings new era of telehealth to pets
TelaVets offers anytime, anywhere care for the furry residents in your home.
Filing a need she recognized would apply to millions nationwide, La Jolla resident Christine Long has launched TelaVets, a telemedicine service for animals designed to make veterinary care more accessible.
Though Long, a pharmacist, started TelaVets locally, its services are available in all states across the country.
TelaVets, which went live at the end of November, offers same-day appointments for $45, following Long’s mission to keep the care “super affordable.”
TelaVets will also deliver medication, priced lower than other prescription outlets, the next day, and can fill a request to compound the medicine into “tasty treats, so it’s easy to give your pet,” she said.
Currently only seeing cats and dogs, the 68 veterinarians across the US on the TelaVets roster are able to virtually treat about 20 conditions including anxiety, allergies, ear infections, fleas, skin conditions, vomiting, diarrhea and more.
Long founded TelaVets out of necessity.
“I have two babies and a puppy,” she said. “I went to the vet with both babies and my dog, and spent $400 on an ear infection. I spent hours there [and thought], ‘there has to be a better way.’”
Long figured she could apply the rise of telemedicine for humans to pets.
“There’s a need,” she said. “There are so many busy people and parents that can really use this.”
Noting that vet offices can have long waits for appointments and people in rural areas can access veterinary services without far drives to an office or clinic, Long said TelaVets is helpful in cutting down that time.
“When your dog or cat is in pain,” she said, “you don’t want to have to wait so long.”
“I just want to make everything accessible and easy and affordable for everyone,” Long said.
For more information, visit telavets.com.
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