Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments Review 2024: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

What Is Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments? How Does It Work?

Vetster is a virtual pet care option for your sick pet. With a quick filtered search, Vetster offers a list of veterinarians who can provide professional feedback on your pet’s health, all from the convenience of your computer or phone.

With Vetster, you don’t have to worry about speaking to receptionists or veterinary technicians before reaching a doctor. As long as you have a reliable camera and audio, veterinarians are your first point of contact. Booking an appointment is easy and quick, too, since you don’t have to compete against other clients for the same time slot.

Because it’s an online option, Vetster has limitations on what ailments veterinarians can treat. But it’s a nice option in case an in-person visit is impractical. Signing up for Vetster is easier than making a regular appointment, too. Create an account, find a vet, and schedule an appointment.

Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments – A Quick Look

Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments Pricing

Vetster is a marketplace app, meaning you can choose how much you want to spend based on your budget. There are no surprise fees, either. An itemized bill is shown to you before you make the appointment, so you know exactly how much you’re spending.

For my cat, appointments ranged from $50 to $100 for a behavior consultation. Booking fees and taxes are included in the final price.

Vetster safely stores your payment information in your account for easy access. Your card is only charged with your permission when you book an appointment.

Some veterinarians will offer discounts as gratitude for your service. So, if you like your vet and want to return, you can save a little next time.

What to Expect From Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments

Scheduling an appointment through Vetster is as easy as ordering something through Amazon.

Creating an Account

Creating an account is simple since they don’t ask a hundred questions about you or your pet’s history. It takes 5 minutes to set up an account and get started.

Scheduling an Appointment

After listing your location, you’ll instantly see a list of veterinarians with upfront pricing, personal bios, education information, and availability. The top-listed vets are always the vets who are available the soonest along with the best reviews.

If you forget things easily, Vetster will send you notifications and email reminders about your upcoming appointment.

The Appointment

Vetster allows you to join the “waiting room” 10 minutes before your appointment to ensure your audio and camera function correctly during the appointment. It’s best to check this prior since your vet might already be in the waiting room ready to go.

Obviously, your vet can’t perform a physical examination, but based on what your vet can see, he or she can offer their best advice with the information provided.

Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments Contents

Quick Bookings and Upfront Pricing

Scheduling your first appointment takes 10 minutes or less, and you know exactly how much you will spend. You’re not limited to a handful of veterinarians, nor do you need to drive miles and miles to the closest clinic. Vetster puts the power in your hands by offering dozens of vets from all over the country.

To make things easier, you can filter the search by signs and conditions so your vet is knowledgeable about your pet’s needs.

Easy to Navigate

The platform itself is easy to navigate. No unnecessary twists and turns, clicks, and emails are needed. You can find everything you need in your dashboard, including appointment records from previous appointments.

If you need a prescription filled, Vetster has a separate tab to view past orders and available prescriptions.

Prescriptions Available (But Not in Every State)

Vetster can prescribe certain prescriptions, but only in specific states. Unfortunately, my state (Kansas) is ineligible. Keep this in mind if your pet requires medicine regularly.

Limited Services

As a telehealth tool, Vetster cannot replace all the services your normal vet is necessary for – physical exams, vaccines, microchipping, spaying/neutering, etc. For this reason, you may need to pay for another vet exam with an in-house vet if your Vetster vet recommends your pet be taken in.

It helps to know how to obtain a TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration Rate) for your pet if possible since the vet can’t obtain this through the app. This includes checking gums and hydration.

Is Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments a Good Value?

Vetster is a real game-changer. You don’t have to wait for available appointment slots, worry about vets leaving for vacation, schedule with receptionists, etc. It eliminates the middleman and puts you in the driver’s seat of your pet’s health.

Ultimately, Vetster enhances the veterinary experience by making veterinary medicine simple and affordable. We think it’s a great value.

FAQ

How can I make my pet’s appointment go smoothly?

Ensure you have good lighting, a secluded area, and a noise-free environment. Upload your pet’s previous records so your vet understands your pet’s history. If you can, learn how to get your pet’s TPR.

Does Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments offer refunds if I don’t like my vet?

According to Vetster’s Client Refund Policy, all fees are non-refundable unless:

If your refund qualifies, you can expect a refund to be processed within 5 business days.

Can I sign in for my appointment through the app?

Yes, everything can be done through the app or web browser.

What is the point of Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments?

Vetster compliments in-house veterinary work to give pet owners a more accessible option to help their pets.

Will Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments replace my in-person vet?

Pets will always need physical examinations and treatment, so Vetster can’t replace your in-house vet. Sometimes, your pet needs to be taken to a veterinary clinic.

Our Experience With Vetster On-Demand Online Vet Appointments

The platform was easy to use and the fees were reasonable. I loved that I didn’t have to pack my 7-year-old cat, Strudel, into the car, nor did I have to give Gabapentin to calm her before leaving the house. Life seemed much easier knowing my vet was an app click away.

In addition, the vet could see the exact living conditions for Strudel and offer her best advice as best as she could. I felt awkward during the appointment since I had to find the best lighting and sound, but my vet was patient and an excellent listener.

To my delight, I logged into my account the next day and saw the doctor’s notes in detail. My vet even left a nice message: “Thank you for the opportunity to visit with you about Strudel! May she have a long, happy, and feisty life!”

My vet advised bringing Strudel into a clinic for updated vaccines and blood work since Strudel is a senior kitty now. That means I have to pay more for another exam, plus lab work and vaccines, which is a real bummer.

Still, I like that I have another option in case life gets busy or I’m traveling the road and need to speak to a vet immediately. And the best part? It’s in my pocket, just one click away.

Conclusion

Vetster offers a hand in treating your pet so that you don’t have to do it alone. Instead of replacing in-person veterinary visits, Vetster allows you to speak to a veterinary professional without dragging your pet to a clinic and paying expensive vet fees.

Vetster can’t replace in-person vet clinics, so you may still have to pay for an in-person exam on top of Vetster’s fees. But if you don’t have access to a nearby clinic, or your pet doesn’t do well at vet offices, Vetster could be a handy tool in your pet’s medical care.