Our Virtual Urgent Care service is for companion animals needing to see a veterinarian, but who do not require a visit to the ER. While we are a team of skilled medical professionals who will work together to direct you & your pet to the appropriate service, noting certain symptoms will help our team determine the best care choice for your pet.

Examples of typical conditions seen by our virtual urgent care service include:

• Lameness/limping

• Skin Abnormalities

• Allergies

• Incision concerns from a prior recent surgery

• Ears: swelling, discharge, redness

• Diarrhea without: significant changes in appetite, excessive vomiting or lethargy

• Coughing or sneezing or mild discharge from the eyes or nose without: breathing difficulties or lethargy

• One episode of vomiting without: significant changes in appetite, excessive diarrhea or lethargy

• Anxiety

Please note: We are not able to see birds or exotics species via virtual urgent care consult. These pets would need to be seen by the Exotics Department at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital or your regular veterinarian, or, if needing immediate evaluation, the Emergency Service at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I contact Red Bank Veterinary Hospital to request and schedule a Virtual Urgent Care Consult?

Utilizing our website https://www.redbankvet.com, you will click on the Urgent Care Virtual Consult request widget at the bottom right hand corner of the homepage, and you will be prompted to answer a few basic questions. You will also have an opportunity to upload any pertinent photos, recent lab work, or medical records through text or email.

A Client Service Specialist will receive your request and let you know if there is an upcoming available telemedicine appointment that day with an Urgent Care veterinarian at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and the time of the next available appointment.

What is the cost of a Virtual Urgent Care Consult, how do I make this payment, and what if I need a follow-up appointment in person?

Once your appointment is scheduled, payment of your $119 consult fee will be collected. This can be processed over the phone with your Client Service Representative or you will be sent a texted link to supply payment information. Your appointment will not proceed without completion of this step.

In general, any follow-up should be done with your regular veterinarian, who will likely charge their own exam fee for their in-person appointment. If this is not available and you wish to bring your pet in for an in-person visit to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital's Emergency Room, a recheck in-person consult fee of $198 will be incurred (along with any other agreed-upon diagnostic or treatment costs). This in-person recheck fee will be honored for 1 week following your telemedicine virtual appointment.

What are symptoms my pet could be experiencing that would not be appropriate for a Virtual Urgent Care Consult?

Examples of true emergencies for which virtual urgent care consultation should not be utilized include severe bleeding, blunt force trauma, breathing difficulty, seizures, collapse, severe pain or distress, ingestion of toxins, vomiting, not eating or drinking, extreme lethargy, inability to urinate, blood in the urine, or high concern for a broken bone. In these cases, seeking immediate veterinary attention in person is crucial to provide the best chance for a positive outcome.

If your pet has ingested a potentially toxic substance, we recommend calling the ASPCA Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. Please be advised that the ASPCA PC charges a consult fee of $95.