Caring for the Long Haul: A Guide to Establishing a Chronic Health Program in Your Veterinary Clinic

Chronic health conditions among pets are remarkably prevalent and form a substantial part of veterinary healthcare. From diabetes and arthritis to allergies, pets, just like humans, can experience ongoing health issues that necessitate continuous attention and management.

A chronic health program in veterinary care focuses on a thorough and consistent approach to managing pets dealing with ongoing health issues. Just like in human healthcare, these programs aim to create organised care plans, ensure regular monitoring, and provide tailored treatments to alleviate the impact of chronic illnesses on animals.

Participation in a chronic health program has been shown to increase the quality of life of the affected pet while reducing the burden on veterinary healthcare providers. Here are ways you could implement a chronic health program at your clinic. Providing digital handouts, check-in questionnaires, homecare instructions/ monitoring logs and email campaigns establishes a mutual connection between pet owners and your veterinary clinic that speaks to them about your support in caring for their pet. 

Provide digital handouts 

Visual digital handouts can simplify complex medical information, making it easier for pet owners to understand the nature of their pet's chronic condition, treatment plans, medication schedules, and necessary lifestyle adjustments. This leads to better compliance with medication administration, dietary guidelines, exercise regimens, and overall care instructions.

Automated health alerts 

Automated health alerts ensure that pet owners receive timely updates and reminders about their pet's chronic health condition, including medication schedules, upcoming appointments, and necessary follow-ups. This promotes adherence to the prescribed care plan. Automated alerts can also contribute to the overall well-being of the pet by ensuring that essential aspects of care, such as regular exercise and special diets are not overlooked. 

Digital pet monitoring logs 

Many chronic health conditions require long-term treatment and digital pet monitoring logs can ease the stress and allow pet owners to record when medication has been administered to their pet(s). This allows pet owners to keep accurate treatment records that can be used to manage and assess the pet’s chronic health illness and treatment plans. Logged data can also be shared with veterinarians, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the pet's health status. 

Questionnaires 

Check-in questionnaires (monthly or as needed) allow pet owners to provide detailed information about the pet's overall health, behaviour, appetite, energy levels, and any observed changes. This enables pet owners to detect subtle changes in the pet's health early on and offers a comprehensive view of the pet's condition between veterinary 

Home care videos 

Home care videos provide step-by-step guidance, demonstrating the correct techniques for administering medication, providing physical therapy, or implementing specific care routines. This ensures that pet owners execute the care plan accurately and effectively. Additionally, pet owners can access home care videos at their convenience, allowing them to review and reinforce their understanding of care instructions at any time and from anywhere.

By incorporating these tools and strategies into a chronic health program, veterinary clinics can foster a strong bond with pet owners, enhance compliance with care plans, and ultimately improve the lives of pets grappling with chronic health conditions. This proactive approach, driven by empathy and expertise, paves the way for a brighter and healthier future for our cherished animal companions.