Question 1

Will this replace my regular vet?

Accepted Answer

No. We’re the sidekick, not the hero. Your vet handles the big stuff—annual exams, surgeries, chronic conditions. We handle the in-between: the 11pm worry, the quick triage, the “should I go to the ER?” moment. Every visit generates a summary you can share with your vet so they stay in the loop.

Question 2

Are these real veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every Sidekick Vet veterinarian is fully licensed, has a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience, and has been vetted by our team. These are real doctors—not chatbots, not AI, not vet students.

Question 3

Can you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

Our service is veterinary teletriage, which means we assess symptoms, evaluate urgency, and provide next-step guidance — including recommending you visit your local vet. Because teletriage consultations don’t establish a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), our veterinarians cannot prescribe medication through our platform. If your pet needs a prescription, the consulting vet will recommend you see your local veterinarian and can provide a visit summary to share with them to streamline the process.

Question 4

How quickly can I talk to someone?

Accepted Answer

Our average connect time is 5 to 10 minutes. We’re available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Question 5

What if my pet needs emergency care?

Accepted Answer

We’ll tell you immediately and help you find the nearest emergency vet. We never delay urgent referrals. If it’s an emergency, we’ll make sure you know and help you act fast.

Question 6

Do I need a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. Pay per visit. That’s it. No monthly fee, no auto-renewal, no commitment. Use us once or use us whenever you need—it’s up to you.

Question 7

What happens after the visit?

Accepted Answer

You’ll get a clear plan: an urgency assessment, home monitoring instructions if appropriate, guidance on whether and when to see your local vet, and a visit summary you can share with your regular veterinarian. We’re also available for follow-up questions within 24 hours.

Question 8

How much does a Sidekick Vet consultation cost?

Accepted Answer

Each visit is a flat $35. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no membership required. You pay when you need us and that’s it.

Question 9

Do you accept pet insurance?

Accepted Answer

We don’t bill insurance directly, but we provide a detailed receipt after every visit that you can submit to your pet insurance provider for reimbursement.

Question 10

Is there a limit on how long the consultation lasts?

Accepted Answer

There’s no strict time limit. Your vet stays with you until you have a clear plan and all your questions are answered.

Question 11

Can I use Sidekick Vet for multiple pets in one visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you have questions about more than one pet, you can cover them all in a single visit. One fee, all your pets.

Question 12

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If we’re unable to help with your concern, we’ll refund your visit. See our refund policy for full details.

Question 13

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through our secure payment processor.

Question 14

Can I choose which vet I talk to?

Accepted Answer

Not currently. You’re matched with the next available licensed veterinarian to keep wait times short. All our vets meet the same high standards.

Question 15

Are your vets available in all 50 states?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our veterinary teletriage service is available in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Because we provide teletriage (not telemedicine), our service is also accessible internationally — anywhere you have a reliable internet connection. Whether you’re traveling or living abroad, you can connect with a licensed US veterinarian for symptom assessment and next-step guidance.

Question 16

What kind of experience do your vets have?

Accepted Answer

Every Sidekick Vet veterinarian has a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience. Our team averages 12 years, with backgrounds in emergency medicine, general practice, and specialty care.

Question 17

Can Sidekick Vet help with cats too?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We help with dogs, cats, and other common household pets. Our vets have experience across species and can guide you no matter what kind of pet you have.

Question 18

What types of issues can Sidekick Vet help with?

Accepted Answer

We handle toxicity concerns, symptom triage, behavioral questions, post-visit follow-ups, and general wellness questions. If your pet ate something weird or you’re not sure whether to go to the ER, we’re a great first call.

Question 19

When should I go to an emergency vet instead?

Accepted Answer

If your pet is having a seizure, can’t breathe, is bleeding heavily, or is unconscious, go to your nearest emergency vet immediately. We can help with most other situations and will always tell you if an ER visit is needed.

Question 20

Can you help with behavioral issues?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our vets can assess behavioral changes, help distinguish medical causes from behavioral ones, and provide initial guidance. For complex behavioral cases, we may recommend a veterinary behaviorist.

Question 21

My pet swallowed something — can you help?

Accepted Answer

This is one of our most common visits. Tell us what your pet ate, how much, and when, and our vet will assess the risk and walk you through what to do next.

Question 22

Do I need to download an app?

Accepted Answer

No app required. Sidekick Vet is entirely web-based. Just visit our site, start a consultation, and you’re connected. Works on any device with a browser.

Question 23

Can I share photos or videos during the consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can upload photos during the intake process so your vet has the full picture before you even connect. This helps them give you faster, more accurate guidance.

Question 24

Will my regular vet get a copy of the visit summary?

Accepted Answer

We provide a shareable visit summary after every consultation. You can forward it to your regular vet via email so they stay in the loop on your pet’s care.

Question 25

Is my pet’s information kept private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We take privacy seriously. Your pet’s health information and your personal data are protected and never shared with third parties. See our privacy policy for details.

Question 26

I’m having trouble connecting to a vet. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Connecting typically takes under a minute. If the wait is longer than expected, please be patient and don’t close the page — refreshing may reset your place. On rare occasions, all of our vets may be in active consultations. If that happens, you’ll see a message letting you know, and you can try again shortly. If issues persist, make sure you have a stable internet connection and try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa). You can also reach us at support@puppilot.co for help.

Question 27

The video is blurry or choppy. How can I improve quality?

Accepted Answer

Video quality depends on your internet connection and device. For the best experience, use a strong Wi-Fi connection or reliable mobile data with at least 1.5 Mbps upload and download speeds. Close other apps or browser tabs that might be using bandwidth. Make sure your browser is up to date — we recommend Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. If video remains an issue, you can always switch to text-based chat during your consultation without losing any quality of care.

Question 28

Are there any extra costs beyond the consultation fee?

Accepted Answer

No. Once you pay the flat consultation fee, there are no additional charges — no matter how long the consultation takes or how many follow-up questions you ask within your session. There are no hidden fees, no platform charges, and no surprise bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

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