PawSquad video consultation on a laptop
PawSquad Expands Client Telemedicine Offering By Merging With Video Vets Now
3 weeks ago 
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To better serve pets and their owners, Vets Now is today announcing the merger of its Video Vets Now service with the PawSquad telehealth business.
Pet owners who choose to use Vets Now for emergency advice will now have access to 24/7 telemedicine advice while PawSquad clients can take advantage of market leading emergency and out-of-hours services.
Demand for telehealth services from pet owners has grown steadily in recent years, allowing pet owners to speak to an experienced vet remotely from the comfort of their home.
The merger is set to create a more robust and comprehensive telemedicine offering, benefitting both clients and the veterinary community.
PawSquad, which handles over 4,000 cases per month in the UK, will combine its services with the 1,000 cases managed by Video Vets Now. Both Vets Now and PawSquad are part of IVC Evidensia, and the merged entity will operate under the existing PawSquad brand.
Dave Leicester, a respected emergency vet and the existing head of telehealth at Vets Now, will head the newly combined PawSquad team. Under his leadership, he will continue to utilise his wealth of emergency and critical care knowledge to head up the newly-combined team, having grown the current Video Vets Now offering since its inception.
"By merging Video Vets Now with PawSquad, we are positioning ourselves to offer unparalleled telemedicine services," said Dave Leicester. "Pet owners will benefit from 24/7 access to telemedicine support, ensuring their pets receive the best care and reassurance whenever, and wherever, they need it."
The scope of the PawSquad service is triage, where patients are either well enough to be offered just advice or physical examination by a vet is recommended.
According to Leicester, the fact that so few telemedicine appointments are referred on to a face-to-face consultation is a key benefit for pet owners and the veterinary profession.
Leicester said: “Around two thirds of telemedicine cases don’t need to be seen urgently by a vet. Often, these cases involve pet owners needing some clinical reassurance, a trend we saw during the pandemic with many owners acquiring pets for the first time. Even as their pets age, we’re finding those relatively newer pet owners in particular are still looking mainly for advice and reassurance.
“As many cases are triaged remotely, the service therefore frees up clinical staff for genuine emergencies.
“Additionally, without the service, many clients would have no other option than to attend for a full consultation at an out-of-hours clinic. Using PawSquad means clients save money, as we enable them to save their budget for daytime appointments instead.
“Following the triage consultation, if the pet does need a non-urgent face-to-face consultation, we always direct clients to their registered vet.”
The integration process of Video Vets Now to PawSquad will begin immediately, with the official launch of the combined service scheduled for middle of October.
Leicester added: “By combining the expertise of both teams, we’re not only investing in the future of veterinary care but also ensuring we can meet the growing demand for convenient, high-quality telemedicine support across the UK. Our goal is to become the leading telehealth provider for pets, empowering owners to make informed decisions and helping veterinary professionals focus on the cases that truly need in-person attention."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About PawSquad: Monitored by UK registered vets, PawSquad offers 24/7 advice for pet owners with the option to communicate via audio, video and text. You can learn more about PawSquad, founded in 2015, by visiting pawsquad.com or get the PawSquad app on Apple or Android.
About Vets Now: There are more than 60 Vets Now clinics and hospitals across the UK that are open through the night, seven-days-a-week, and day and night on weekends, to treat any pet emergencies that may occur. All of Vets Now’s premises have a vet and vet nurse on site at all times. If owners are unsure whether their pet needs veterinary treatment, the telehealth service, PawSquad will be available.
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