Teleconsultation Services

(Vet-to-Vet)

Teleconsult Notice

Thank you for your interest in booking a teleconsultation.
Dr. Tara Richards is away teaching at the Atlantic Veterinary College from September 26th to October 13th. In-person and teleconsult services are temporarily unavailable, but referral requests can still be submitted online and may be processed upon her return.

Contact Us

We believe in a collaborative approach to veterinary medicine. Our professional teleconsultation service allows primary care veterinarians to access specialist insights quickly and efficiently, regardless of their location in Canada.

  • Case Review: Digital review of ophthalmic photos, videos, and medical histories.

  • Diagnostic Support: Expert guidance on interpreting specialized tests and formulating treatment plans for complex cases.

  • Referral Triage: Assistance in determining which patients require immediate surgical intervention or can be managed through specialized medical protocols in your clinic.

  • Our teleconsultation services are designed exclusively for veterinarians to assist in the management of ophthalmic cases. Please note that we do not interact with pet owners directly or assume primary care of the case; our role is to support you (the primary care veterinarian) with specialized guidance and recommendations.

    If you have any questions regarding the suitability of a case for a teleconsult, please feel free to contact us.

  • 1. Purchase: Teleconsultations are purchased directly through the website.

    • Brief Question: Ideal for simple, specific inquiries (e.g., drug substitution queries or breed-specific disease predilections). Both the submission and the response are conducted in writing. ($65)

    • Full Teleconsult: For comprehensive case management support. This involves a complete case submission and includes a 30-minute phone call and a detailed PDF report for your medical records. ($165)

    • Recheck Teleconsult: Follow up on a recent case submission (active case submitted within the last month). Includes a combination of PDF report and/or a brief phone conversation. ($90)

    2. Submit Information: All relevant patient information (photos, history, exam sheets, lab work, etc.) must be submitted via the form on this page. Please use a professional email address you access directly (not the client's email) to receive these secure communications.

    3. Review & Response: Once the complete package is received, I will review the materials and respond within the specified timeframe for your chosen consult type. The response format (written only or a phone call with a written report) depends on the service selected.

  • For a Full Teleconsult, the more information I receive, the better I can visualize the case and provide comprehensive assistance. I strongly recommend submitting the documents and photos listed on the Required Documents page.

    For clarity on submission requirements, please use the provided ophthalmic examination sheet and refer to the Ophthalmic Examination video guide for instructions on how to accurately fill it out. The photo tips document also includes example images to guide your submission.

  • The following items are recommended to get the most out of your ophthalmic teleconsult.

    A) Photos and/or videos: See photo tips for more information on helpful photos

    These photos can easily be taken using a cell phone and the appropriate app.

    B) Completed Exam Form: The exam form can be obtained by selecting it under the virtual ophthalmology services tab. A video explaining how to fill this form out is available under the “Videos and Tips” tab.

    C) Any information you feel is pertinent to the case. For example, recent laboratory work or imaging studies.

  • Watch the video HERE

    • Lighting Tip: Use "continuous light" mode in your camera app or have an assistant use a flashlight to illuminate the inside of the eye.

    • Apply dilating agent (Mydriacyl) in order to evaluate and image the lens and fundus. (Do not dilate if you have concerns about lens position or elevated intraocular pressure)

    • Dark spaces (with minimal overhead lighting or windows) are best for taking photographs

    • Useful photo apps: Open Camera (Android), ProCamera (Apple)

    To ensure the highest quality for an ophthalmic tele-consultation, please provide the following photographs and videos of your patient’s eyes:

    Image List:

    Profile Photos

    • Frontal View: A "head-on" photo from a distance to assess facial symmetry.

    • Side Profiles: Clear photos of both the left and right sides of the face (lateral views).

    Ocular Close-Ups

    • Eye-Level Photos: Close-up shots of both eyes at eye level.

      • Horses: Take photos from the front, the side, and from behind the eye.

      • Dogs & Cats: Take photos from the front and the side.

    • Lower-Angle Photos: Take photos from slightly below eye level to capture the reflection of the tapetum through the pupils.

    Detailed Imaging of areas of interest

    • Focused Photos: Sharp images of the specific lesions or areas of concern.

      • Include photos both with and without fluorescein stain if applicable.

      • Tool Recommendation: A Macro Lens for Smartphones can significantly improve image quality.

    Lens & Fundus (Back of the Eye):

    • Equine: Image the fundus directly with a phone (continuous light) or a Panophthalmoscope.

    • Small Animals: Attempt imaging through a Panophthalmoscope.

    Video Recommendations

    • Video Clips: Provide 1- 2 short videos of each eye.

    Example photos

Exam form (PDF) is made available after a teleconsultation is purchased.

By completing a purchase, you acknowledge and agree to all legal provisions outlined in our Legal Provisions. Please see full description below.

Click Here to Review Legal Provisions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This service is offered as a support to primary care veterinarians. Your veterinarian would examine your pet/ horse, take pictures, run laboratory tests and submit all these results to our team. Our ophthalmologist then would review this information and guide your veterinarian on case management. Case discussion is vet to vet and there is no direct communication with the pet/horse owner. Ultimately, your family veterinarian will be making the clinical decisions with the help and support of our team.

  • Because ophthalmic disease can progress quickly, it is possible that your family veterinarian will dispense medications prior to completion of the online consult. Just as with any specialist consult, it is possible that medications may change or be added after the completion of the consult.

  • This depends on the teleconsult type chosen.

    • Quick questions include a written response to your query.

    • Initial Teleconsult: Review of a complete case submission and includes up to 30-minute phone call and a detailed PDF report for your medical records. Typically this can be booked with in 1-3 business days of the request.

    • Recheck Teleconsult: Follow up on a recent case submission (active case submitted within the last month). Includes a combination of PDF report and/or a brief phone conversation.