PangoVet Pet Telehealth Appointment Review

The ease and convenience of telehealth visits have reached beyond human medicine into the veterinary world. Veterinary telehealth services have become increasingly popular, especially after the COVID pandemic, when in-person veterinary appointments were significantly limited.

Although many pet parents have resumed taking their pets to the veterinarian’s office, veterinary telehealth remains a frequently used tool for discussing a pet’s health concerns. 

Using telehealth services has many benefits. For example, staying at home can be much better for anxious, senior, or mobility-impaired pets for whom veterinary visits can be a struggle. Additionally, telehealth is ideal for pet parents living in rural areas with limited access to veterinary care, as well as those without transportation to visit the nearest veterinary office.

PangoVet, an online veterinary service, offers convenient and accessible veterinary consultations for a range of non-urgent health and behavioral conditions.

Have you considered using a veterinary telehealth service but aren’t sure what’s out there? This article provides a full review of PangoVet, based on a real appointment addressing mobility issues in a 9-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named Jack.

Meet PangoVet

PangoVet is an online veterinary consultation service that offers video and audio appointments with veterinarians in multiple states. A consultation means veterinarians provide expert medical guidance and advice on pet health concerns but do not make diagnoses or write prescriptions.

The veterinarians at PangoVet address non-emergency pet health concerns, including allergies, mobility problems, and behavioral issues. 

The PangoVet website features an extensive blog section called ‘Pet Corner,’ which offers numerous educational articles on pet care-related topics, including corneal ulcers in cats and preventive care in dogs. There are even articles on caring for birds, pocket pets (hamsters and guinea pigs), rabbits, and fish! This online library of information is a valuable feature that complements the telehealth services. 

Additionally, the website features a detailed FAQ section to help pet parents understand more about how PangoVet works and what to expect from an online consultation with one of their veterinarians. The answers are clear and concise, covering exactly what pet parents need to know before using their services.

What It’s Like to Book with PangoVet

Booking an appointment with PangoVet was easy and took only a few minutes to complete. The booking process involves providing relevant information about your pet and their health issue, as well as paying for the appointment. 

• On the first page, ‘Let’s Get To Know Your Pet,’ you complete basic information about your pet (cat or dog, name, etc.) and select your preference for a video call or audio call. 
• The next page of the booking process is titled ‘Their Problem,’ where you choose the category of health concern. For Jack, I selected ‘mobility issues.’
• Then, on the ‘Final Details’ page, you have the option to provide more information about the health concern, upload pictures for the vet, and list your location. I decided to fill in more information, describing when I’ve noticed Jack’s mobility issues (e.g., getting up from lying down) and my concern about his pain.
•  I also filled in my location to ensure that one of the vets would be able to consult with me about Jack’s problem.

There were numerous appointment times available, in 20-minute increments, as soon as the same day. I had no trouble selecting a convenient date and time for the appointment.

The cost was transparent, and the payment process was seamless. The price ($29.95, currently on sale from $60) was clearly indicated.

The online consultations are conducted via Zoom, so the only tech requirement is to have Zoom downloaded on your computer, phone, or tablet. Luckily, I already have a Zoom account, so I was all set for the appointment.

PangoVet Appointment Experience

My appointment was with Dr. Maja Platisa, DVM, MRCVS, CertAVP. The appointment started on time, at 11:40 am, and lasted just under 20 minutes. 

Dr. Maja was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. She began by asking detailed questions to get a fuller understanding of Jack’s mobility issues. She was very thorough in explaining what the issue could be, perhaps a soft tissue injury, as well as what to do next to diagnose and manage the problem. 

Dr. Maja offered comprehensive advice on potential treatment options, including at-home therapy, like stairs to climb onto the couch and passive range of motion exercises. She also explained other therapies, such as pain medication, physical therapy, and even laser treatment.

Overall, the appointment went very well. Granted, as a veterinarian, I was already aware of many of the diagnostic and treatment options for Jack’s mobility issues. However, I appreciated Dr. Maja’s level of detail and knowledge in explaining what I could do to address his pain and discomfort. She was also very thorough in answering my questions, such as the potential cost of the diagnostic process and how long it might take for Jack to feel better.

I did not find the appointment to be lacking in any way. Kudos to Dr. Maja!

Within one hour of the appointment’s end, Dr. Maja emailed me a personalized action plan and visit report as a PDF. The report provided a detailed summary of Jack’s issue and our discussion, as well as links to several PangoVet blog posts that could be helpful, such as arthritis in dogs and how to give a dog a massage.

What Makes PangoVet Stand Out

PangoVet has a lot to offer for pet parents. For example, it is convenient. There is no time spent traveling to and from the vet, no waiting room with other pets, and your pet can stay in the comfort of their home. Appointment availability ranges from early morning to early evening, including weekends, making it easy for you to schedule an appointment that suits your schedule.

The fee for a 20-minute consultation is quite reasonable. The level of detailed information I received during the appointment, along with the comprehensive summary report, was well worth the cost.

Each of the veterinarians at PangoVet is credentialed with extensive experience in veterinary care. Dr. Maja has eight years of veterinary experience, encompassing a wide range of expertise, including small animal medicine and surgery.

Given the consultative nature of PangoVet’s telehealth services, there are no official follow-up appointments. However, you can email the vet to report on your pet’s progress after the appointment. Dr. Maja encouraged me to keep her posted on Jack’s mobility.

Additionally, the veterinarians can discuss potential medications but cannot specifically recommend or prescribe them; an in-person veterinary appointment would be required for that. Also, the only digital records are the information you provide during the booking process.

Pros and Cons

Alright, let’s break down the pros and cons of PangoVet.

Pros:

• No travel time to the vet’s office
• A pet can stay in the comfort of their home
• Transparent, reasonable pricing
• Easy booking process
• Responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly vets
• Wide appointment availability
• Extensive blog section
• Easy website navigation

Cons:

• No diagnoses
• No prescriptions
• Not suitable for emergencies
• 20-minute consult may not cover all questions
• Tech requirements could be an issue for some pet parents

Should You Try PangoVet?

In a word, yes! PangoVet is an excellent option for pet parents who have questions about their pet’s non-urgent medical issues but, for various reasons, may not be able to visit a veterinary office. Additionally, the consultation can serve as a good starting point for determining the next steps to address a pet’s health issue.

However, PangoVet may not be suitable for pet parents whose pets have serious, chronic medical issues that would require an in-person veterinary visit. It also wouldn’t be suitable for emergency, life-threatening medical conditions.

I was very pleased with the entire process, from booking the appointment to receiving follow-up information via email, and would use PangoVet again.

For readers who want to try it, I recommend treating the consultation almost like an in-person visit with your vet. Be ready to provide details about your pet’s health concern and have questions prepared to get the most out of the 20-minute consultation.