Virtual world, meet the pet-loving world. As if the launch of BlogPaws, the first-ever pet bloggers conference, wasn’t already enough of a breakthrough for pet lovers who practically live on the Internet, now vetDVM.com has launched an iPhone app that might revolutionize the way pet parents interact with veterinarians.
The new vetDVM app will allow pet parents to communicate with their vets at the touch of an iPhone screen. vetDVM.com, which launched last year, is targeting tech-savvy pet parents who want to be able to get in touch with a vet 24/7.
vetDVM allows you to snap a photo or record a video of your pooch if he is noticeably ill or exhibiting signs of illness (rash, itching, etc.). 
You can then send that picture or video straight to vetDVM’s database of more than 50 contracted veterinarians. An answer from a qualified vet will be sent to your phone in the form of a text, or via a direct message within the application, from one to 24 hours after the question is submitted, depending on the complexity of your pet’s illness.
“Based on a show-and-tell approach, veterinarians are able to actually observe a dog or cat’s symptoms through the app during what we call a virtual office visit,” stated a press release from vetDVM.com. “Questions are routed through a sophisticated backend system that assigns the vet most qualified to answer your particular question at that particular time.”The app allows you to share your questions and answers with friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. The content will go into a library that vetDVM.com hopes to build as a searchable resource for pet parents, and other users will have the ability to view and comment on videos and responses.
vetDVM also boasts “error-free video encoding and transmission,” personalized answers about your dog or cat from a licensed veterinarian coming directly to your phone, and online video indexing. The best perk? The app is a completely free service. That’s right, there is no charge.
Despite the excitement building around this app, the question still remains of how it will affect the veterinary industry. Will clients who
would normally take their pets to see their veterinarians for a particular ailment instead consult with an iPhone application for the same expert diagnosis? Could they treading on dangerous ground by doing so? The danger exists, but vetDVM.com notes that this application is preferable to finding bogus information online through unfiltered internet searches.
“vetDVM knows there’s a lot of information circling the Web and that can be confusing,” the company wrote in its press release. “Around here, we believe when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s better to ask than to search.”
What may curb the onset of pet parents all rushing to their phones to ask questions for free might be the “virtual queue” in which users must wait until their answers arrive — a wait that can be as long as 24 hours. Hopefully, pet parents will instead bring their animals to their veterinarians if the situation seems urgent.
But what happens if your pet needs urgent attention for a condition that seems to be minor? Would you have saved 24 valuable hours if you’d taken your pet to the vet? Though it’s not a replacement for a real-life veterinarian, the vetDVM app does have its perks. But pet parents should tread lightly and understand what constitutes a text to a vet versus a visit to the vet.
The app is currently only available for the iTouch, iPhone 3G and 3GS models. The company plans on launching an app for the Android later in 2010.
PHOTOS: vetDVM Press Release
Would you use the vetDVM app to diagnose your pet’s ailments? Veterinarians, what are your thoughts – do you think it will help the vet industry or harm it? Please leave your comments below.
Category : News
