What you need to know before your telehealth appointment

(Telehealth = using IT to deliver healthcare)

 

Adapting to the COVID-19 social distancing situation, while maintaining our commitment to care for the pets around Elwood, has meant finding new ways to connect with you. Offering phone/video consultations is one such way.

We’re also working on adding more info about pet health conditions to this website to increase your knowledge and hopefully help you care for your pet.

 
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How do we talk to each other?

If we’re not in the consult room together, we have the option to talk to each other:

  • on the telephone

  • via video link (we’ll send you a link)

Ideally, where ever you are, your pet is in the consult room with us. Not being able to physically examine our patients does limit our ability to make a diagnosis and recommend appropriate care.

While your doctor can ask you to describe your symptoms, your experiences and your concerns in great detail, we rely on:

  • what you tell us verbally (history)

  • what our patients tell us nonverbally (physical examination, which includes observation for subtle changes)

If you can bring your pet in, we can collect him from your car (or arranged drop-off point such as our carpark). If you need to stay home but can arrange for a friend or family member (who is not in isolation/quarantine) to bring him in, that’s good to (note: work out with your friend if they should come into the consult room, bearing in mind that we might ask questions of a personal nature).

If you can’t get your pet to us, then we’ll just do our best!

 

If your pet is coming to Elwood Vet but you're staying at home or in your car

When you (or whoever is bringing your pet in) arrives, please call reception from outside the practice (9531 1771). We'll then arrange to come and collect or bring your ‘agent’ and pet in and set up the phone/video call with you.

If we’re using the video link, you don't need to have the video on your end, we just need you to have audio on. Please make sure you're somewhere where you can hear us well and we can hear you too.

 

If you're staying at home with your pet

Please have your pet with you in a quiet, well-lit room. Make sure you won’t be disturbed.

We may ask you to show us things on his body – if you think you'll need help with this, please arrange to have another person with you before the appointment starts.

If there are specific areas of concern (eg a wound, a tooth, a rash, diarrhoea), you might want to send us photos before the appointment. You can email them to us via hello@elwoodvet.net.