Veterinary Telemedicine in 2024: What the Data Actually Shows

The Market Landscape

The veterinary telemedicine sector has matured significantly since its pandemic-era surge. According to Nova One Advisor, the global veterinary telehealth market was valued at approximately $150–200 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15–20% through 2030, driven by increased adoption of remote triage and follow-up care.

The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) 2024 Industry Report — analyzing over 2 million data points — confirms that virtual care is no longer experimental.

What Telemedicine Can (and Cannot) Replace

Telemedicine excels in specific use cases:

• Post-operative follow-ups — Checking incision sites, monitoring recovery, adjusting medications.
• Behavioral consultations — Observing the pet in its home environment often yields better behavioral assessments.
• Chronic disease monitoring — Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and arthritis management with periodic virtual check-ins.
• Triage — Helping clients determine whether a situation requires emergency care or home monitoring.

Telemedicine cannot replace hands-on diagnostics, imaging, surgical procedures, or the establishment of a valid VCPR in states that require physical examination.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Start with follow-ups — The lowest-risk, highest-value telemedicine use case.
2. Set clear scope boundaries — Document which case types are appropriate for virtual visits.
3. Use SOAP documentation — Virtual consultations should be documented with the same rigor as in-person visits.
4. Integrate with your EHR — Telemedicine notes should flow into the patient's medical record automatically.

Sources: Nova One Advisor U.S. Veterinary Telehealth Market Report 2024; VVCA 2024 Industry Report; AVMA Model Practice Act.