Vet Telemedicine Platforms Groomers Should Know

As a groomer, you see dogs more frequently than their veterinarian does. Many dogs visit the groomer every 4-8 weeks, but see the vet only once or twice a year. That puts you in a unique position to notice health changes — skin conditions, ear infections, lumps, dental issues, weight changes, behavioral shifts.

You’re not a vet. You can’t diagnose or treat. But you CAN be the early warning system that helps pet parents catch issues before they become serious. And increasingly, veterinary telemedicine makes it easy for clients to follow up on your observations without the hassle and cost of a full vet visit.

When to Recommend Telemedicine vs. In-Person Vet

Recommend Telemedicine For:

• Skin issues you notice during bathing — redness, flaking, hot spots, unusual bumps
• Ear problems — smell, discharge, head shaking that’s not from water
• Minor limping that’s not acute
• Behavior changes the owner mentions (“he’s been scratching a lot”)
• Questions about products — “is this shampoo okay for my dog’s sensitive skin?”
• Follow-up on existing conditions — “his skin looks like it’s getting worse, maybe check with the vet”
• Dietary questions related to coat/skin health

Recommend In-Person Vet For:

• Lumps or masses you find during grooming (need physical examination)
• Significant injuries — cuts, wounds, broken nails with bleeding that won’t stop
• Severe ear infections with discharge or pain
• Dental issues — loose teeth, inflamed gums, oral masses
• Eye problems — discharge, swelling, cloudiness
• Acute lameness or pain — dog suddenly can’t bear weight
• Emergency symptoms — difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, bloat

The Major Vet Telemedicine Platforms

Vetster — Largest Platform

Price: $50-$100 per consultation What it is: On-demand video consultations with licensed veterinarians. Think Teladoc, but for pets.

How it works: Pet parent downloads the Vetster app, selects a veterinarian (filter by specialty, availability, language), and has a video consultation. The vet can view photos/videos the owner shares, discuss symptoms, and provide guidance.

When to recommend: “Hey, I noticed some redness and flaking on Bailey’s belly during the bath. It might be nothing, but you could do a quick video call with a vet through Vetster to get it checked out. Cheaper than an office visit.”

Airvet — 24/7 Availability

Price: $30-$60 per consultation | Plans available What it is: On-demand vet access via chat and video, available 24/7.

Unique value: The 24/7 availability is helpful for after-hours concerns. If a client calls you at 9pm worried about something you mentioned during the groom, you can direct them to Airvet instead of advising them yourself (which you shouldn’t do — you’re not a vet).

Dutch — Subscription Model

Price: $20-$40/month for unlimited consultations What it is: Ongoing pet health subscription with licensed vets. Better for chronic conditions that need regular monitoring.

When to recommend: For dogs with recurring skin issues, allergies, or chronic conditions that benefit from regular vet check-ins without the cost of monthly office visits.

How to Handle Health Observations During Grooming

The Right Way to Communicate Concerns

DO say:

• “I noticed some redness on Bella’s belly. It might be worth having your vet take a look.”
• “Max’s ears have some discharge and a bit of odor. I cleaned them gently but you might want to get that checked.”
• “I found a small lump on Cooper’s side that I don’t remember from last time. It’s probably nothing, but your vet should feel it.”
• “Luna’s teeth have a lot of tartar buildup. A vet dental cleaning might be worth considering.”

DO NOT say:

• “I think your dog has a skin infection” (you’re not diagnosing)
• “You should put [medication] on that” (you’re not prescribing)
• “That lump looks like [condition]” (you’re not examining)
• “Your dog is fine, don’t worry about it” (you don’t know that)

Document What You Find

Take a photo of anything notable during the groom:

• Skin issues (redness, bumps, hot spots)
• Ear conditions
• Dental issues (if visible)
• Lumps or masses
• Injuries or wounds

Show the photo to the client at pickup. Save it in the pet’s profile. This creates a record that’s useful for tracking changes over time and CYA documentation if a client later claims you caused an injury.

Create a Standard Health Check During Every Groom

Build a quick health observation into your grooming workflow:

1. Ears — check for odor, discharge, redness, swelling
2. Eyes — check for discharge, cloudiness, irritation
3. Skin — check for redness, flaking, bumps, hot spots, parasites
4. Coat — note condition (dry, oily, thinning, patchy)
5. Teeth/gums — quick look when possible (tartar, redness, odor)
6. Body — feel for lumps, masses, or sensitive areas
7. Nails — note condition (splitting, overgrown, quick length)
8. Paws — check pads for cracks, foreign objects, irritation
9. Weight/body condition — does the dog look thinner or heavier than last visit?

This takes 1-2 minutes during the bath/drying process and positions you as a thorough professional. Many groomers include a brief health observation note on their checkout summary.

Building a Health-Aware Grooming Practice

Offer Medicated Bath Services

If a client’s vet prescribes a medicated shampoo (for skin conditions, allergies, fungal infections), offer to use it during the groom:

• Charge a small upcharge ($5-$15) for medicated baths
• Follow vet instructions for contact time (usually 5-10 minutes of lather sitting on the skin)
• Document the treatment in the pet’s profile

This creates additional revenue and positions your salon as health-conscious.

Partner with Local Vets

• Keep business cards from 2-3 local vet offices at your checkout area
• Recommend specific vets when clients ask “who should I see?”
• Ask vet offices to recommend your grooming services
• Share notable grooming observations with the pet’s vet (with client permission)

Know Your Scope

Repeat this to yourself: I am not a veterinarian. Your job is to observe, document, and recommend professional care. Never:

• Diagnose conditions
• Recommend specific medications or treatments
• Attempt to treat injuries or conditions
• Give medical advice beyond “please see your vet”
• Apply any product not meant for normal grooming use

Staying in your lane protects your clients’ pets and protects your business from liability.

My Recommendation

Keep a list of 2-3 telemedicine platforms bookmarked on your phone. When you notice something during a groom:

1. Take a photo and show the client
2. Note it in the pet’s grooming profile
3. Suggest they check with their vet — offer telemedicine as an easy first step
4. Don’t diagnose or treat

This simple workflow makes you more professional, builds client trust, and genuinely helps pets get care they might otherwise miss between annual vet visits. It’s one of the things that separates a great groomer from just a good one.