Need a vet but can’t get one to come to your farm?
Dr. Glen Yates has a solution. The Oxford County large animal veterinarian has started Vetson.ca, an online service that uses real-time video sessions between a farmer in the barn and the vet in his office. For example, the farmer can book an appointment using his smartphone and offer a visual of his cow and describe symptoms. In turn, the vet can diagnose and prescribe therapy and medicine.
Yates said that he has been thinking about how to service out-of-the-way farms and hobby farms for a long time. “I think this is a really good idea, to be honest.”
A farmer just needs to go to the website, download the app and sign up. Just out of the starting gate, the service has 10 clients. The cost for early subscribers is $75 per month and includes unlimited access to a veterinarian and free delivery of medicine.
After about six months, the price will go up to $100 per month and will limit online vet visits to about four per month, Yates said. He said he knows of no other company servicing large animals by phone.
“I have thought about this for a long time,” Yates said. “There are many under-serviced farms. A lot of beef people have moved north to buy operations.”
Yates has been working as a veterinarian for more than 40 years and said he has a second veterinarian signed up to work with him.
