Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM • Chief Executive Officer, RexVet • 2026-07-24 • 7 min read
Video Vet Visit vs Phone Vet Consultation — Which Is Right for Your Pet? (FL/NY/VA)
Video vet visits vs phone vet consultations — what a licensed DVM can and cannot do with each in Florida, New York, and Virginia. Cost, use cases, prescription rules, and honest tradeoffs.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
The core difference — visual assessment + VCPR
The difference between a video vet visit and a phone-only consultation isn't just the camera. It's what a licensed DVM is legally and clinically able to do. Federal and state rules require a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) before a vet can diagnose or prescribe. Most state boards (including Florida, New York, and Virginia) allow VCPR to be established by video — but not by phone alone. That's why RexVet video visits at $64.99 include Rx-writing authority, and why most free 'chat with a vet' phone lines don't.
What a video vet visit can do
- **Visual assessment** — see the pet's posture, breathing, gum color, eye alertness, coat, wounds
- **Visual triage** — 'is this pet in crisis or stable?' — the DVM can see for themselves
- **Diagnose common conditions** — allergy flares, hot spots, ear infections, GI upset, mild UTIs, anxiety
- **Prescribe oral + topical Rxs** — Apoquel, Simparica Trio, Bravecto, Cerenia oral, Trazodone, Prozac, Clavamox, doxycycline, otic drops, medicated shampoos
- **Establish VCPR** — the video visit itself creates the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship required for prescribing
- **Send Rx same visit** — script goes to your pharmacy (Chewy, CVS, Walgreens, local) during or right after the call
- **Review labs and imaging** — you upload the results, the DVM interprets them for you
What a phone vet consultation can do
- **Triage advice** — 'should you take the dog to an ER right now, or can this wait?'
- **General information** — dosages of over-the-counter meds, first-aid guidance, breed-specific advice
- **Refill guidance on an EXISTING Rx** — if you already have a VCPR at another clinic, phone can help you decide whether a refill is reasonable
- **Behavioral coaching** — walk-through of anxiety management, training questions
- **Post-visit follow-up** — if your regular vet's office does phone follow-ups on a case they already saw in person
What a phone vet consultation usually CANNOT do
- **Diagnose a new condition** — no visual exam = no formal diagnosis
- **Prescribe a new medication** — no VCPR established over phone in most states = no Rx
- **Assess breathing, gums, or wounds** — the vet can't see; you can only describe
- **Interpret subtle behavioral changes** — 'a little wobbly' looks very different from a video assessment
- **Substitute for an ER visit** — phone-only can advise 'go to the ER,' not treat
When to pick a video visit
- **You need an Rx or refill** — video visit only, phone won't work
- **A new symptom appeared** — allergy, GI upset, skin issue, ear problem, mild lameness
- **You want a formal diagnosis** — video visit gives you a documented DVM assessment for insurance
- **You want to establish a relationship with a new DVM** — video visit creates the VCPR for future refills
- **Behavior + anxiety consult with medication option** — video visit is the pathway to a Trazodone or Prozac script
When phone-only is fine
- **Quick general question** — 'is it OK to give my dog Benadryl?' (Chewy Connect Vet Chat is free for Autoship customers)
- **Follow-up on a case your regular vet already saw in person** — your regular vet's office can call you back
- **Triage from an out-of-state trip** — 'is this an emergency?' when you're outside FL/NY/VA and need general advice fast
- **Poison Control** — call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 (24/7). This is a specialty phone service, not a substitute for a video vet visit — but it's the right call for suspected toxins.
Cost comparison
- **RexVet video visit** (licensed FL/NY/VA DVM): $64.99 flat, includes Rx-writing authority
- **Vetster video visit**: $54-$95 per visit, varies by vet
- **Airvet / Fuzzy / Dutch subscription video**: $10-$99/month models
- **Chewy Connect Vet Chat** (phone/chat, free for Chewy Autoship): free, but chat-only, no diagnosis, no Rx
- **Independent 'phone-a-vet' services**: $30-$70 per call, generally cannot prescribe
- **Regular vet phone follow-up**: usually free if it's follow-up on a recent in-person visit at their clinic
About Dr. Tiffany Delacruz — Chief Executive Officer
RexVet video visits are led by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM, and our team of licensed DVMs. Dr. Tiffany is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Florida, New York, and Virginia. RexVet is a 501(c)(3) veterinary telehealth non-profit (Rex Vets Inc., EIN 33-2469898).
Emergency signals
When to contact a veterinarian
- True emergency — go to a 24-hour ER now, not a video or phone visit
- Suspected toxin — ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 (24/7) — that's a specialty phone service that IS the right call
- New symptom that needs a diagnosis — book a video visit, not a phone consult
Frequently asked questions
Why can't a phone vet write me a prescription?
Most state veterinary boards (including FL, NY, VA) require the vet to establish a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) before prescribing. VCPR requires the vet to have enough knowledge of the animal to make a diagnosis. Phone-only usually cannot establish VCPR; video usually can.
Is a video visit as good as an in-person visit?
For a lot of common conditions — allergies, GI upset, ear/skin issues, behavior, refills — yes. For anything requiring bloodwork, X-rays, palpation, or vaccines, in-person is still necessary. A good DVM will tell you when video is enough vs when you need in-person.
Can a video visit really diagnose an ear infection?
In many cases yes — the DVM asks you to point the camera at the ear, checks the exterior, asks about smell/discharge/scratching frequency, and can prescribe otic drops if it fits the pattern. Deep ear canal issues may still need in-person otoscope evaluation.
What if my pet is too anxious to hold still for the camera?
Common. Do the visit in a place your pet is calm (their bed, on your lap, in the kitchen with treats). The DVM can wait while you settle them. Photos + short video clips uploaded before the visit help.
Does RexVet offer phone-only visits?
No — we do video only. This is intentional: video lets the DVM see your pet, establishes VCPR, and enables Rx-writing. Phone-only would be cheaper for us to offer but less useful for you.
Can I do a phone follow-up after a video visit?
Yes — email + messaging follow-up is included with any RexVet visit at no additional charge. If a follow-up needs a visual reassessment, we schedule a follow-up video slot.
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About the author
Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Chief Executive Officer, RexVet
Licensed veterinarian and CEO of RexVet (Rex Vets Inc.). Practicing across Florida, New York, and Virginia via licensed telehealth. Reviews every clinical article on RexVet before publication.