Dutch Vs. Traditional Vet Experience

Picture this: Your furry friend is constantly scratching a hard-to-reach itch, excessively licking themself, or exhibiting destructive behavior due to anxiety. This is a reality an increasing number of pet owners are dealing with. Their companion is suffering, and the local vet’s office is booked and busy—with the next available appointment several weeks away. How do you help them find some much-needed relief? Enter: Dutch.

At Dutch, our mission is simple: to provide pets with treatments grounded in science to help them live a comfortable and fulfilling life. Keep reading to learn more about the Dutch experience and the differences between brick and mortar traditional veterinary clinics and us.

• What Is Dutch?
• Who Is Dutch?
• Who Is Dutch For?
• How Does Dutch Work?
• What To Expect At Your Appointment
• Dutch: Benefits And Limitations
• Traditional Veterinary Experience: Benefits And Limitations
• Dutch: Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Notes

What Is Dutch?

Dutch is a pet telemedicine service that connects pet parents with trustworthy veterinarians that combine medication, therapeutics, and training exercises to develop specialized treatments for your pets’ most underserved conditions.

Our Mission

Several chronic conditions that plague our furry friends are 100% treatable, yet many of them have to endure their ailment every day. At Dutch, we’re committed to treating your pets’ chronic conditions holistically with treatments rooted in science. Our three-part mission includes the following pillars:

• We treat pets medically: All treatment plans are tailored to your pet’s unique needs and built by expert behaviorists and dermatologists in conjunction with primary care providers according to the latest science.
• We don’t keep you waiting: Scoring an appointment with your local vet can take days, if not weeks, forcing your pet to live uncomfortably. We believe that you should be able to obtain treatment right away for your pet’s chronic and non-emergency conditions. For that reason, Dutch-affiliated vets will respond to your queries within 24 hours and regularly check up on your pet’s progress.
• We deliver to you: With Dutch, long gone are the days of having to pick up your pet’s prescriptions at the pharmacy or veterinarian’s office. Every treatment plan will arrive at your doorstep ready to be implemented into your pet’s life.

Who Is Dutch?

Created by pet parents for pet parents, Dutch’s unique telemedicine platform provides pet owners with a collective of affiliated vets who focus on dermatology and behavioral care and pharmacies that deliver science-backed treatments right to your door.

Who Is Dutch For?

At Dutch, our affiliated vets are happy to help dogs and cats find relief from chronic conditions, such as anxiety, allergies, itch, and fleas—all while providing a convenient and affordable experience to busy pet parents.

How Does Dutch Work?

Dutch works by facilitating the establishment of a veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) remotely. A VCPR can be established remotely in most states to obtain a diagnosis and prescription from a veterinary professional. We proudly partner with top vets that can establish a VCPR online, much like a traditional face-to-face vet.

Once you’ve verified that Dutch is available in your state, you can proceed with our in-depth online consultation, which closely mirrors an in-person visit. You’ll be asked to answer questions regarding the health of your pet and describe their symptoms. Honesty and thorough responses allow our veterinary team to make the most of your experience with us! The vet may even request a video or photograph highlighting their condition.

What To Expect At Your Appointment

Vet appointments can be stressful. However, our goal is to make them as stress-free and efficacious as possible. Here’s what you can expect during your first appointment with a Dutch-affiliated vet:

• Before meeting your vet, you’ll be asked to upload pictures of your pet and their current health problem. Ideally, these pictures should be clear and highlight all affected areas, so that your vet can better understand what’s going with your dog or cat.
• During your remote appointment, the vet will ask you a few questions regarding your pet’s health history to pinpoint the cause of their condition.
• After one to two business days, your vet will provide a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In some cases, telemedicine may not be a suitable option for your pet, so they may refer you to an in-person vet instead.

Once a Dutch-affiliated vet has approved your pet’s treatment, you’ll become a Dutch member, allowing you to receive a one-of-a-kind treatment plan that can contain medications, therapeutics, and behavioral modification advice. Those being prescribed medication enjoy free shipping right to their doorstep. Should questions or concerns arise, Dutch members also have access to unlimited follow-ups and messaging with their vet.

Dutch: Benefits And Limitations

As with any healthcare option, weighing the pros and cons is essential. After all, the well-being of your pet is in your hands. We’ve highlighted a few of the benefits and limitations of our services to help you make the best decision for your pet.

Benefits

• Quick and hassle-free appointments: Affiliate vets will respond in as little as 24 hours, ensuring your pet can be seen as quickly as possible. Plus, there are no long waiting periods, so you can get a diagnosis fast.
• Assistance with chronic, non-emergency conditions: There are several health issues that are medically treatable over telehealth platforms, such as anxiety, allergies, itchy skin, and fleas.
• Access to a wider pool of professionals: When you’re limited geographically, you might miss out on specialized support. By taking advantage of pet telemedicine, you can find a vet outside of your area that’s well versed in treating your pet’s particular condition.
• Reduce veterinarian-induced stress: If your pet usually becomes stressed and overwhelmed when visiting the vet in person, virtual pet care is a valuable alternative.
• No commuting: With telemedicine at your fingertips, you can say goodbye to the commute to your local veterinary office. In fact, vet telemedicine can save an average of 50 minutes of driving time.¹

Limitations

• Potential treatment delays: Medical services may be delayed due to technological and equipment failures or information transmission deficiencies, such as poor image quality. Submitting photos that aren’t high resolution can take longer to be assessed by your vet or can result in having to re-upload the image.
• In-person vet care may still be needed: Dutch, is not a replacement for in-person veterinary advice. Instead, it’s a valuable tool that can provide you with a quick diagnosis and long term care for certain chronic conditions. Many health conditions will require lab work and hands-on evaluations for diagnosis.
• For now, the Dutch experience is only available to cats and dogs: While we believe that every pet deserves to enjoy a fulfilling and healthy life, we can only accommodate cats and dogs. If you’re a pet parent of other animals, such as snakes, rabbits, hamsters, or birds, we can’t assist at this time.
• Cannot be used for emergency care: Dutch vets cannot provide emergency assistance and should not be used for emergency medical services. If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening situation, please seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Traditional Veterinary Experience: Benefits And Limitations

The traditional veterinary experience is one that you’re probably quite familiar with, depending on how long you’ve had your pet. While useful for the overall welfare of your furry friend, it has its own limitations.

Benefits

• In-person care: Whether it’s for an emergency or an annual check-up, traditional vet appointments can provide you with the care your pet needs. Furthermore, you’ll be able to get a full work up including laboratory panels, dental evaluation, and a complete hands on physical examination.
• Support for all animals: Many veterinarians can accommodate several different species of animals, like birds, reptiles, rabbits, and more, ensuring every pet gets the medical services they need.

Limitations

• Consultations can be expensive: Going to the vet for chronic conditions consistently can be costly.
• Inconvenience: If you’re unable to travel, whether it’s due to a medical condition or lack of transportation, it can be challenging to provide your pet with the care they need. Virtual telemedicine allows your pet to receive treatment from the comfort of your home.
• It may take weeks for your pet to be seen: Getting an appointment at your local veterinarian’s office can take longer than expected, meaning your pet will likely have to endure their medical condition until they receive the proper treatment.
• Increased stress for some patients: For pet’s that experience “white coat syndrome”, the veterinary office can be quite a stressful place.

Dutch: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re unsure whether our remote vet care services are right for you, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions below.

How am I matched with a vet?

We’ll carefully evaluate the type of care your pet needs and match you with a Dutch-affiliated vet who is familiar with that condition and is licensed in your state. We currently work with independent vets in several states and have plans to expand in the future to provide pet parents across the country access to affordable pet care.

Can I use Dutch for a pet health emergency?

No, Dutch should not be used for pet health emergencies, including urgent or life-threatening conditions. Our telemedicine service is intended for non-emergencies that don’t require immediate assistance. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please seek emergency veterinary care promptly.

What conditions does Dutch offer treatment for?

Our network of vets currently specialize in behavioral and skin treatments for dogs and cats, such as anxiety and allergies. Treatments can include prescription medication, over-the-counter therapeutics, behavior therapy, or all three, depending on your pet’s condition. From serotonin-boosting prescriptions to medicated shampoos, there’s a scientifically-backed treatment plan for your pet’s condition and unique needs.

Can Dutch replace my regular vet?

No. We recommend that you maintain a regular relationship with a vet near you to ensure your pet gets all of the medical services they need, such as annual exams and yearly shots. Ideally, Dutch should be used in tandem with a traditional vet.

If your vet requires access to your pet’s medical records, with the appropriate information, we’re more than happy to forward them.

Final Notes

While a traditional vet experience has its advantages, it is not convenient or affordable for every situation. Dutch is an adjunctive aid for owners looking to obtain affordable, convenient quality medical care for their furry friends.

If you’re searching for an affordable, efficient, and convenient telemedicine service to treat your cat or dog’s chronic condition, look no further than Dutch. Get started today to discover the difference the Dutch experience can make in your pet’s life.