It's a seemingly simple question, isn't it?
Why is it necessary for all dogs to go to the
vet for treatment? Why can't vets make home visits to check on my dog? Why
can't we consult top vets online for emergency assistance and advice?
As pet parents, these are all crucial questions. I've delved deep to find answers and would appreciate your input if I've missed something.
I firmly believe that vet care needs to be both affordable and accessible to pet parents.
The day Al, our GSD, had a bloat, I was in tears seeing him in pain, not knowing what to do.
At that moment, Pavithra, my better half, who was more composed, did something that shifted my perspective. She initiated a chat with our vet, who guided us until Al reached the hospital.
Simple instructions like "let him get enough air" or "keep
talking to him" proved surprisingly effective. Leaving the car windows
open for fresh air also helped.
Fortunately, the doctors were able to save our
boy. While sitting outside, I promised Pavithra that pet parents should be
aware of such things. For instance, dogs should not drink water one hour before
or after meals. It leads to gas buildup.
This got me thinking about a middle ground.
Can vets come home to see my dogs? Can I chat or speak with someone online?
How?
We started discussing this with our vets, and
they shared the view that pet parents today need emergency assistance that is
both affordable and accessible.
We often think that Vets are out there to make
money. I am not saying that is not true but that is not the case with all Vets.
The Vets we partner with are constantly looking to increase our pet’s longevity
or thinking about how best to serve them better.
I can go on about some of the cool things that
the veterinarian fraternity is working on to make life healthier for our Pets to
give us a lot of peace of mind.
We then spoke to other pet parents to validate
our case and got a big Thumbs up. Please let me know if you think the same way
(affordable and accessible care for our Pets).
When Sheru, our 3-year-old Indie, started
vomiting after dinner, out of the blue, we asked the vet if we could chat.
Within 15 minutes, the vet diagnosed Sheru with acid reflux and prescribed
medication that worked wonders within minutes. We didn't have to rush to the
vet.
While I understand that major issues like
surgery, tick fever, neutering, or fractures require face-to-face meetings, for concerns
like vaccinations, growth, bulges, sprains, vomiting, diarrhea, eye care, or
not eating, consulting a vet online can be a viable option.
We also recognize that there are vets who
offer home visits. Vet care should be instantly accessible for any pet parent,
acting as a catalyst. Additionally, vet care should be affordable and
categorized based on each treatment. Often, fees are quite standard, and the
deviation is not significant when it comes to the pet's treatment.
Considering these factors, we decided to
partner with top vets and hospitals in India, making them available for pet
parents online or a home visit (based on proximity).
Today, at DogSwag, we serve thousands of pet
parents, offering them Free Chat access with top vets for emergency assistance
and advice. Even if prescriptions are given out, the charge is a flat rate that
is in single digits (wherever you are in the world).
Our vision is to make vet care affordable and
accessible globally. Pet parents should receive high-quality service,
regardless of their location.
Happy to hear your thoughts and
do support us by sharing this with other pet parents.