It is arguably less onerous to be sick than to tend to a sick pet. Whether or not a vet visit is warranted needs takes time to determine, and if so, clinic visits can involve inconveniences like special transport arrangements or long wait times.
“Today’s pet owners are investing more than ever in their pets’ health and wellness. Yet, the veterinary sector has seen minimal transformation,” says Athena Lee. Inspired to provide pet owners with convenient access to professional advice, she co-founded tech-enabled veterinary care provider ZumVet in 2019.
The erstwhile CEO of telehealth provider Doctor Anywhere, Lee was conversant with the perks of virtual medical attention way before the Covid-19 pandemic. She took a stab at veterinary telemedicine after identifying a similar gap in the pet healthcare market. “We started it as a side hustle and made sure every transaction was revenue-generating,”
she explains.
A small round of funding was obtained from friends and family when the services gained taction. “Our initial investors were animal lovers, but they were convinced the industry was ripe for disruption.”
While physical examinations may be necessary if a comprehensive diagnosis is needed, telemedicine is a reliable option for initial guidance or recommendations for home care and medication. Vets can remotely detect certain conditions by doing three things. First, observe an animal’s appearance and behaviour via video call. Next, discuss symptoms and medical history with the owner. Then, use technology to diagnose common conditions.
ZumVet has secured over $5 million in funding so far. Over 90 vets are currently registered on the platform, and between 200 and 300 consultations are conducted every week. The company, says Lee, is unequivocally tech-driven and offers various services. “For example, cat owners may wonder if haze is to blame for sudden symptoms like wheezing or if there’s an underlying medical issue that requires attention,” she explains. “By leveraging our AI pain detector, a user can assess if their pet is experiencing discomfort.”
Based on insights into medical outcomes, the company has developed a library of prevalent pet conditions, optimal treatment protocols, and predictive inventory needs. This enhances its ability to deliver broad-ranging solutions and facilitates expansion plans for the primary care experience.
Not that it hasn’t had to jump through several hoops. “Breaking new ground as the first players in the region posed challenges, particularly in introducing a consumer-centric, remote-care solution,” reveals Lee.
“We also faced resistance from many clinics and vets as they believed we were trying to make their work obsolete.”
Athena Lee on the trouble in rallying support
In her experience, Singaporeans have no qualms about splurging on their pets. but typically only invest in healthcare at the start and end of their pets’ lives. Preventative measures tend to be overlooked when the animals are young and seemingly robust. These include proper nutrition, oral hygiene, and regular healthcare routines that significantly contribute to quality of life.
ZumVet aims to foster increased awareness on the importance of preventative care, particularly since its research in South-east Asia found that most pets are under six years old. Many also only visit a vet once every two years.
Lee believes digitalisation can substantially correct many misconceptions about pet health. “We can transform the pet owner journey and leverage analytics to enhance veterinarians’ practices by improving accuracy of medical records, optimising prescription efficacy, and providing access to a network of cloud-based specialists.”
Producer: Adora Wong
Art director: Ed Harland
Videographer: Alicia Chong
Photographer: Mun Kong
Photographer’s assistant: Hizuan Zailani
Makeup: Ying Cui
Hair: Aung Apichai
