How Brazil is opening its market for veterinary telemedicine

Previously, Brazilian veterinarians were only permitted to use online consultations to guide and answer questions about animal health, nutrition, and behavior.

The new regulations approved by the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV) allow professionals to monitor the clinical status of animals, answer pet parent questions, or monitor animals’ health after a survey or chronic disease.

It is essential that the veterinarian has a previously established relationship with the animal. A face-to-face examination is a requirement before owners can access the service.

Retailers are an active part of the business

Brazilian retailer Petz owns animal health company Seres, which operates 12 veterinary hospitals and 126 health centers.

After the new regulation became effective, the company focused on “democratizing veterinary access.” From the end of September, a new telemedicine service with 1,000 veterinarians is available for online assistance.

Petz’s goal is to offer an online vets service as part of the health plan developed by retailers. The service should be available by the end of 2022 at Seres hospital network.

Televets, which was already offering telehealth orientation to pet parents, is now offering telemedicine for pets. Founder and CEO Vinicius Meyer said that these new rules are a “breakthrough for the sector. We are 100% prepared for this new modality,” he said.

Currently, Televets is physically present in Belo Horizonte and São Paulo, with 5,000 registered customers. Since its launch in March 2021, it has performed 5,000 calls.

Joint venture

Medical company MedLive and Oi, the third largest telecommunication company in Latin America, joined forces to create an online services division for animals. The online service offers health plans and veterinary telemedicine services.

Oi Digi Pet has more than 4,000 veterinarians, clinics, and hospitals available to its customers.

Rosemberg Kiffer, CEO of Oi Digi Pet, says that face-to-face consultation remains fundamental in the process. Veterinarians can only diagnose and prescribe medicines after a physical evaluation of the pet.

“The face-to-face consultation is a golden factor; we are not going to replace it. In fact, depending on the case, the veterinarian will indicate a closer care location”, he said.

Oi Digi Pet’s telemedicine will form part of the insurance coverage of some financial institutions. After that, it will be offered as an independent plan for consumers.