Are online vet consults the answer for elderly pet care? Some pet carers worry that online veterinary hospice consultation isn’t enough.

As a hospice vet working in a mobile practice that supports mainly elderly pets, I’ve long believed that online (video) consultations can be incredibly helpful. I was using video calls well before the pandemic as an affordable, accessible way to guide worried carers and support decision-making for pets reaching their later years.

Online consults are never a complete replacement for hands-on veterinary care—but they are often an invaluable first step. They allow us to see pets in the comfort of their home, where they behave most naturally and are far less likely to mask pain or discomfort. For many elderly pets, especially those who find travel stressful or painful, this can make all the difference.

However, there are times when an in-person examination is absolutely essential. Knowing when to bypass an online consult and head straight to a veterinary practice can save precious time and prevent unnecessary suffering.

Below are the key red flags every pet carer should recognise.

When Online Veterinary Hospice consultations Are Helpful

Before we look at the warning signs, it’s worth remembering why online consults are so useful in elderly pet care:

• Quality-of-life assessments: Seeing a pet move, rest and interact at home gives us clearer insight than a stressful clinic visit.
• Chronic pain evaluation: Pets often hide discomfort when anxious. At home, subtle pain behaviours are easier to spot.
• Decision-making support: Especially around end-of-life care, a calm video discussion can help carers make compassionate, informed choices.
• Reduced stress: No travel, no waiting rooms—just guidance from home.

But even with these advantages, online care has limits.

Red Flags: When an Online veterinary hospice consultation Isn’t Enough

If you notice any of the following, do not wait for a video appointment. These situations require prompt, hands-on veterinary attention.

1. Breathing Problems

Any struggle to breathe is an emergency.
Signs include:

• open-mouth breathing (in cats),
• fast or laboured breathing,
• stretching the neck out to breathe,
• blue or pale gums.

These cases cannot be assessed safely online—oxygen and immediate intervention may be needed.

2. Collapsing, Seizures, or Sudden Weakness

A sudden inability to stand, repeated collapsing, fainting spells, or seizures always warrant an urgent veterinary exam. Video can’t measure neurological responses, blood pressure, or heart function, all of which may be critical.

3. Severe or Uncontrolled Pain

While we often use online veterinary hospice consultations to help monitor chronic pain, acute or severe pain is different.
Look for:

• crying out,
• rapid breathing,
• inability to settle,
• lameness so severe the pet won’t bear weight.

These pets need a physical assessment and often imaging.

4. Significant Bleeding or Injury

Wounds, suspected fractures, or trauma (falls, road accidents, dog bites) should never be managed online. Even seemingly minor injuries can hide internal damage that only an in-person exam can detect.

5. Vomiting or Diarrhoea That Won’t Stop

Elderly pets dehydrate quickly.
Seek immediate veterinary care if:

• symptoms persist for more than 12–24 hours,
• there is blood present,
• the pet is lethargic or refusing food,
• your pet has an underlying condition such as kidney disease or diabetes.

6. Sudden Behaviour Changes

Confusion, head pressing, extreme restlessness, or sudden aggression can indicate serious neurological or metabolic problems. These cannot be fully assessed online.

7. Struggling to Urinate or Defecate

Straining can look like constipation but may indicate a urinary blockage—an emergency, especially in male cats.
Any signs of:

• repeated straining,
• crying when using the litter tray,
• no urine produced,
  require immediate care.

8. Rapidly Worsening Mobility

While many elderly pets have ups and downs, a sudden deterioration in mobility or coordination needs hands-on evaluation. It could be a slipped disc, stroke-like event, or severe arthritis flare.

9. Swollen Abdomen or Sudden Weight Gain

A distended belly, especially if firm or painful, can be a sign of fluid build-up, internal bleeding, or organ issues. Online assessment is not safe in these cases.

10. When Your Gut Says Something Is Wrong

No list is exhaustive, and you know your pet best. If something feels urgently wrong, trust your instincts and seek immediate, in-person veterinary help.

Online Consults Are a Great Tool—but Not for Emergencies

Online veterinary hospice consultations have become an essential part of modern elderly pet care. They:

• reduce stress for pets who struggle with travel,
• allow clearer assessment of everyday behaviour and comfort,
• help guide owners through complex decisions, including end-of-life care.

But when it comes to emergencies or rapidly evolving symptoms, nothing replaces an in-person veterinary examination, and it may be the case that Online Veterinary Hospice Consultation Isn’t Enough, and your pet needs to see a vet urgently.

Knowing the difference helps keep elderly pets safe, comfortable, and supported—exactly what they deserve.

Remember, online veterinary hospice consultations work best as part of comprehensive care alongside your regular veterinary practice. They’re not replacements but valuable tools for monitoring, guidance, and support—particularly for those difficult moments when you’re struggling with quality of life decisions or wondering if something needs urgent attention.

Ready to try an online veterinary hospice consultation? Download our free Dignipets app today and take the first step toward stress-free veterinary support for your elderly pet. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through every stage of your pet’s care.

Written by RCVS-registered veterinary professionals with over 10 years’ experience, specialising in hospice and palliative care. All Dignipets team members are Certified in Veterinary Hospice and Palliative Care.