Frequently Asked Questions
About SoCal TeleVet
Have questions about virtual vet exams or in-home vet tech services?
Find answers about scheduling, pricing, prescriptions, service areas, appointment preparation, and available care for dogs and cats throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Southern California.
General
SoCal TeleVet provides virtual veterinary appointments with licensed California veterinarians, along with in-home Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) house visits throughout Southern California.
Virtual appointments are available anywhere in California. House visits are available throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County and most of Southern California.
We currently see dogs and cats.
SoCal TeleVet is locally owned and operated by a Registered Veterinary Technician with over 13 years of experience. Our licensed California veterinarians and RVTs actively work in hospitals across Southern California, giving us firsthand insight into the local veterinary community and a trusted referral network.
We provide evidence-based virtual care, convenient prescription options, and experienced in-home RVT support working alongside your primary veterinarian to make quality veterinary care more accessible, convenient, and stress-free.
Veterinary Virtual Exam
Book your appointment online, and you’ll receive a secure Google Meet link by email. During the visit, one of our licensed California veterinarians will evaluate your pet, discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and recommend the best next steps. If appropriate, they can prescribe medication, provide a treatment plan, recommend an in-home technician visit, or refer you to a veterinary clinic for further care.
- Smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
- Stable internet connection
- Quiet, well-lit space for the appointment
- Have your pet nearby and ready for the exam
- Current medications, medical records, or photos/videos of symptoms (if available)
- Please have your pet’s current weight available, if possible. If you don’t know their current weight, you can weigh yourself while holding your pet, then subtract your own weight to estimate your pet’s weight.
- Follow your veterinarian’s guidance during the exam
- Cat owners: You only need to hold your cat during the physical exam. Once the exam is complete, your cat can roam freely while you continue speaking with the veterinarian.
Yes, when medically appropriate and allowed under California law. Medications can be sent through our online pharmacy or provided as a written prescription. Controlled substances cannot be prescribed through telehealth.
Yes. Your pet must be physically located in California during the appointment.
Virtual appointments are ideal for many non-emergency concerns, including allergies, itching and skin conditions, ear and eye problems, vomiting, diarrhea, urinary issues, coughing, arthritis and joint discomfort, anxiety, stress, behavioral concerns, destructive behavior, diet and nutrition, flea, tick, and parasite prevention, medication refills, seasonal shedding, and general wellness questions. If your pet needs hands-on care, we’ll recommend an in-home technician visit or referral to a veterinary clinic.
If your pet is having trouble breathing, collapse, severe bleeding, seizures, toxin ingestion, or major trauma, please seek immediate care at the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. For a list of urgent warning signs that may require immediate veterinary care, visit our “Uh-Ohs” section. You’ll also find a map of emergency veterinary hospitals throughout Southern California to help you locate care when you need it.
After your pet has been evaluated, our team is happy to provide follow-up care, answer your questions, and help guide you through the recovery process if needed.
Licensed Vet Tech Guidance
Licensed Vet Tech Guidance is a 15-minute phone or video appointment with an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). We provide education, support, and practical guidance to help you care for your pet and determine the most appropriate next step.
No. An RVT guidance appointment is not a veterinary examination. Veterinary technicians cannot diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, or establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). When veterinary care is needed, we can guide you toward a virtual veterinarian, primary veterinarian, urgent care clinic, or emergency hospital.
Our experienced RVTs can provide education and support for:
- General Pet Care Questions
- Puppy & Kitten Education
- Eye, Ear & Oral Medication Guidance
- Injection & Subcutaneous Fluid Guidance
- Seasonal Safety (Heat, Holidays, Fireworks)
- Esophageal Tube Feeding Guidance
- Post-Operative Recovery Support
- Ear Cleaning & Nail Trimming Guidance
- Calming & Comfort Pet Tips
- Understanding Your Pet’s Discharge Instructions
We cannot diagnose your pet, but we can discuss the signs you are seeing and help you understand which level of care may be most appropriate. Pets with trouble breathing, collapse, severe bleeding, seizures, toxin exposure, or major trauma should be taken to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
No. Registered Veterinary Technicians cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medications. If your pet may need a diagnosis or treatment, we will recommend an examination with a licensed veterinarian.
Each Licensed Vet Tech Guidance appointment is approximately 15 minutes.
You may choose a phone call or video appointment, whichever is most convenient for you.
Please have the following available when possible:
- Your pet nearby
- A list of current medications and supplements
- Recent medical records or discharge instructions
- Photos or videos of your concern
- Your pet’s current or most recent weight
We will help direct you to the most appropriate next step, which may include a SoCal TeleVet virtual veterinary exam, your primary veterinarian, an urgent care clinic, or an emergency veterinary hospital.
You will speak with a Registered Veterinary Technician who has more than 10 years of clinical experience and currently works in Southern California veterinary hospitals. Our team has first-hand knowledge of local veterinary care and resources.
Because this service provides education and general guidance only, it may be available outside California. When veterinary diagnosis or treatment is needed, you will be directed to a veterinarian licensed in your location.
Yes. Cancellations are free at any time. If you have already paid, refunds are generally processed within 7-10 business days.
Pricing
Virtual exams are $60 for a 15-minute consultation with one of our licensed California veterinarians. If additional services, diagnostics, medications, or house visits are recommended, you’ll receive an estimate by email or text for your review and approval.
House visits start at $180 plus any diagnostics or treatments performed for most of Southern California.
We do not bill insurance directly, but we can provide invoices for reimbursement.
A 15-minute Licensed Vet Tech Guidance appointment is $35. During your phone or video appointment, an experienced Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will provide education, practical guidance, and support to help you care for your pet and determine the most appropriate next step. Please note that RVTs cannot diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, or replace an examination by a veterinarian.
Booking
We offer next-day virtual appointments, same-week In-Home Vet Tech Visits, and daily Licensed Vet Tech Guidance appointments. Availability may vary based on your location and appointment demand, and you can view the latest available times when scheduling online.
Booking is easy! Schedule your appointment online at your convenience. After booking, you’ll receive a secure Google Meet link and an invitation to create your pet’s profile in our veterinary software, NectarVet, no app required, just your phone number.
Once your profile is complete, we’ll send you two forms to complete before your appointment. You can access your pet’s medical records at any time by visiting the Client Portal on our website and logging in with your phone number.
We kindly ask that you reschedule or cancel Virtual Veterinary Exams at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
For In-Home Vet Tech Visits, we request at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
Licensed Vet Tech Guidance appointments may be canceled at any time.
If you need to make changes within the requested cancellation window due to unexpected circumstances, please contact us as soon as possible, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.
Any approved refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 7–10 business days.
Absolutely! We are happy to collaborate with your primary veterinarian and share medical records to ensure continuity of care. We can also provide referrals and additional resources whenever needed.
Prescriptions
Yes. A virtual veterinary exam is required first. If the veterinarian determines the medication is medically appropriate for your pet, they can provide a prescription.
In most cases, prescriptions are processed within an hour after your appointment, once your pet’s medical record is complete. We can email you a written prescription or send it to our online pharmacy for convenient home delivery.
Technician House Visits
During your house visit, one of our experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and a veterinary assistant will come to your home to provide the services recommended by your veterinarian. They will obtain your pet’s vital signs, review their medical history, and perform approved outpatient services such as vaccinations, blood and urine collection, diagnostic testing, medication administration, and other treatments. Our goal is to provide compassionate, low-stress care in the comfort of your pet’s familiar environment.
House visits help reduce your pet’s fear, stress, and anxiety by providing care in the comfort of your home. Our experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) deliver compassionate, high-quality care and are a more affordable alternative to many traditional mobile veterinary services.
Most house visits take approximately 30 minutes. Visits lasting longer than 30 minutes may incur an additional fee.
Yes. An adult owner or authorized caregiver must be present.
