The East Bay SPCA has launched a telemedicine service available to all California residents that provides a variety of services, including consultations and access to certain prescriptions.

Appointments can be made for prescriptions for preventative treatments such as flea, tick and heartworm medications, as well as special medications for holidays or stressful events. For pets adopted from East Bay SPCA who had prescriptions, these can be renewed with a telehealth appointment.

Consultations can be scheduled for anxious pets prior to an in-person veterinary visit. In addition, consultations can be scheduled for pets enrolled in the East Bay SPCA’s education service who require anti-anxiety medication.

The telemedicine service is operated by the Oakland-based Theodore B. Travers Family Veterinary Clinic.

Kristen Beitzel, vice president of medical services at the East Bay SPCA, said in a statement that the service has already helped reduce stress among pets and their owners who have used it.

“Thanks to our new telemedicine program, we have been able to improve access to care and reduce the anxiety and stress that pets and their owners feel when visiting a veterinary clinic,” Beitzel said.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday. The patient must be located in California at the time of the appointment.

To schedule an appointment, call (510) 569-1606. More information is available online at eastbayspca.org.