Frequently asked questions

Telepets is online veterinary care for dogs and cats in Ontario. You answer a set of questions about your pet, then a licensed veterinarian reviews the case and messages you to talk it through. Once you have agreed on a plan you receive it in writing, along with any prescription.

We cover ongoing care for dogs and cats, such as fleas, ticks and heartworm prevention, itchy skin and allergies, anxiety, arthritis, eye infections, and ear infections and scabies in dogs. You can see the full list of what we treat here .

Our veterinarians are licensed by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and can treat pets whose owners live anywhere in Ontario — Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Kitchener–Waterloo, Sudbury, and every smaller community in between. We cannot treat pets outside Ontario.

Just a phone or a computer. What we ask for varies by consultation. Alongside questions about your pet’s health, history and medications, a veterinarian may ask for photos or a short video clip — so it helps to have your pet nearby — or for files such as previous lab results.

Yes. You can keep more than one pet on your account. Each pet needs its own consultation, because a veterinarian has to assess each animal individually.

Yes. Every veterinarian is licensed and in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO). A veterinarian reviews your pet’s case — never a technician, an assistant or an automated system.

Intakes submitted during business hours (9 AM – 7 PM ET) are reviewed the same day. After-hours submissions are reviewed the next business day. Most intakes are reviewed within 90 minutes.

You answer the questions on your own schedule instead of booking a time, and there is no travel and no waiting room. A veterinarian starts their review from your answers, photos, videos and recent vet care like lab tests and prescriptions, and messages you on next steps from there. Our veterinarians can treat many common problems online, but this does not replace your pet’s regular in-person examinations at a local clinic.

You choose. We send the prescription to the pharmacy you pick. You pay the pharmacy directly. Telepets does not sell the medication and adds no markup to it. Two options:

Online Pharmacy
Home delivery through one of our partner pharmacies: vetmeds.ca, VetScript or Pets Drug Mart. You can look at the medication and shipping costs before choosing this option.

Pharmacy Pickup
Pick it up at a local veterinary pharmacy or a big-box chain like Costco. We’ll show you which nearby pharmacies carry your pet’s medication. Sending a prescription for pickup is free.

We can continue an ongoing treatment or prescription. Our veterinarian will conduct a full consultation to determine what is appropriate for your pet.

Yes, where it is appropriate. A dose is set from your pet’s weight, so a pet whose weight has changed usually needs it looked at. Where it suits your pet better, the veterinarian can also move it to a different medication or a different format. Tell the veterinarian what is not working and why.

$49 per consultation + tax. For any prescriptions: medication, dispensing fees and shipping (for home delivery) are paid to the pharmacy you choose, at that pharmacy’s price.

If we cannot treat your pet online, we refund the fee. Our Refund Policy sets out every case in full.

Telepets is for non-urgent care. If your pet shows signs of an emergency, such as difficulty breathing, collapse, a seizure, heavy bleeding, possibly swallowing something poisonous, straining without being able to urinate, or a suddenly swollen abdomen, go to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital straight away. Do not wait for an online reply.

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