Video Vet service being set up in Kildare

A Kildare vet is setting up a new tele-veterinary service for owners and their pets with as little as €20 charged for an online consultation.

Carbury native Dr Des Groome has been running Kildare Vet Surgery outside Kildare Town for the past 18 years and has worked in the UK, France and Saudi Arabia in a 26 year career.

He is now developing www.videovet.co in collaboration with VideoDoc Ltd who provide telemedicine doctor service in Ireland.

Dr Groome said: "The priority will be on improving responsible pet ownership and animal welfare."

"Pet owners are often in a situation where they're wondering at home whether there is something wrong with their pet and if they should travel to see a vet."

"Under Video Vet, Clients can use a smartphone, tablet or laptop to speak online with a qualified Video Vet."

He added: "Research has shown that around half of consultations in a clinic could have been done online, so there should be a ready market there."

Finishing touches are being made to the software used in the service which should be up and running in March.

Dr Groome added: "VideoVet will the first of its kind in Ireland and a whole new way for people to access pet care."

This business will be managed from a technology base in Sandyford while online veterinary service will be delivered remotely to animals and their owners from  Kildare Vet Surgery, Kildare town.

Dr Groome said: "We have already created one new job at Kildare Vet Surgery and predict ten new jobs in the next two years between veterinary and technology roles.

"Our plan of using telemedicine for animals is uncharted territory and we will be the first veterinary service in Ireland doing this."