A team of UC Davis researchers measured how cats reacted to in-clinic appointments versus those conducted by webcam. The objective was to evaluate if telemedicine could increase access to care for an estimated 45.3 million feline-friendly households in the United States.
A summary of the research results show:
- Researchers find that cats showed signs of increased stress at in-office appointments
- In-home appointments better reflect health and behavior of cats
- Telemedicine could be effective for routine consults or in rural areas with little access to care
Source: University of California, Davis, January 13, 2023. Link. Owners were also surveyed before and after the appointments to gauge their feelings. The owners rated in-person sessions more negatively than video appointments.