MSD Animal Health has added a telemedicine system to its VetsDeliver platform which allows practices to set up online consultation rooms, hold online appointments on Zoom and charge owners in advance.

To use the service, practices have to register for VetsDeliver via Easy Direct Debit (which handles payments), then configure the system for the number of consultation rooms needed and to add practice branding. The first consultation room costs £69 per month, with discounts for subsequent rooms.

Practices can promote the service to pet owners by sharing a link for appointments via social media, the practice website, or a mail out to clients.

Clients then follow the shared link, complete a form and book a consultation slot.

After the consultation, the practice can email a link to the pet owner so that they can pay for any medication.

Adrian Tantrum (that must have been quite a cross to bear at school), Head of the Companion Animal Business Unit at MSD Animal Health said: "As market leaders, with brands such as Bravecto, Nobivac and Caninsulin, we want to help practices adapt to the new normal.

"We have listened to feedback from practices around what they want from a telemedicine platform and worked with EDD to create a simple and easy to use service. This will allow practices to provide pet owners with the support they need, whether it be their parasiticide prescriptions or providing continuity of care for diabetic patients, and will of course bring much-needed cash flow into their practices.

"We've chosen Zoom for the video capabilities as it is one of the most popular video conference apps with millions of users worldwide, so we know it's familiar to most pet owners."

Adrian added: "As we all adjust to new ways of working we are putting in place a whole series of new services for practices that will help bring them closer to their clients and allow them to continue to provide pet owners with the expertise and support they need. Being able to see a vet 'face-to-face', if not in the flesh, will be reassuring for a lot of pet owners who will be worrying about both new and on-going conditions."

For more information, contact your MSD account manager.

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.