From symptom to clarity in 60 seconds.
VetScan is a smart first step before you call your vet. Here's exactly how it works, what data we collect, and what we don't do.
The full flow
Every interaction with VetScan follows the same five-step pattern. The whole thing takes about a minute.
Tell VetScan what's happening
Open the app. Tap the big "+" button. Describe what you're seeing — by typing, by voice ("she's been throwing up since this morning"), or by snapping a photo of the issue.
You can be vague at first. The AI will ask for clarification next.
Answer 3-5 clarifying questions
This is where VetScan acts like a vet. Based on what you described, the AI asks the same triage questions a veterinarian would: how long has this been happening, has anything changed in their diet, what does it look like exactly, are there other symptoms?
Each question is short. Multiple choice when possible. Optional photo upload when relevant.
AI evaluates against medical patterns
VetScan compares your dog's symptoms against thousands of common veterinary triage patterns. The model considers your dog's breed, age, weight, and health history (if you've shared it). It looks for red flags that need immediate attention and patterns consistent with low-urgency conditions.
This takes about 5 seconds. You'll see a small "thinking" indicator.
Receive your urgency score and explanation
VetScan returns one of three urgency levels, with a clear explanation of why and what to do.
The symptoms are likely minor. Here's what to monitor over the next 24-48 hours, and the specific signs that would change our recommendation to "see a vet."
Not an emergency, but worth a check. We'll explain the most likely conditions, what questions to ask your vet, and what tests they may run.
This needs immediate professional care. We'll tell you what's likely happening and direct you to the nearest emergency animal hospital.
Take action with confidence
Whatever the urgency level, you get clear next steps. Find a nearby vet. Save the report to share with your vet later. Set monitoring reminders. Ask follow-up questions.
Your dog's full history is saved (privately, on-device when possible) so the next time something happens, VetScan already knows the context.
How VetScan thinks like a vet
Veterinary triage isn't magic — it's a structured decision process. Veterinarians follow protocols developed over decades of clinical practice. We've worked with practicing small-animal veterinarians to encode those protocols into VetScan's AI.
For example, when you report "vomiting," a vet doesn't just diagnose. They ask:
- How many times? Once vs. repeatedly tells very different stories.
- What does it look like? Yellow bile, foamy white, blood, or food matters.
- Is your dog still eating and drinking? Appetite is a major signal.
- Any chance of toxin exposure? Chocolate, xylitol, plants, household chemicals.
- Other symptoms? Lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal pain change urgency dramatically.
VetScan asks these same questions in the same order, weighs the answers using the same logic, and arrives at the same urgency tier a vet would — for the most common cases. For unusual or rare presentations, we always default to "see a vet."
What VetScan does NOT do
Honest limitations
- It doesn't diagnose. Diagnosis requires physical examination, blood tests, X-rays, and clinical expertise. We give triage guidance, not diagnoses.
- It doesn't prescribe. We won't recommend medications or treatments. That's your vet's job.
- It doesn't replace your vet. Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and ongoing care still happen at your vet's office.
- It doesn't work for all species. VetScan is dog-specific. Cats, birds, reptiles, and other pets have different physiology and need their own dedicated tools.
- It can be wrong. AI makes mistakes. Always verify serious decisions with a licensed veterinarian.
Read our full Medical Disclaimer for the complete picture.
Privacy: what data we use, what we don't
Your dog's data is yours
We never sell or share your pet's health data with third parties. You can export everything or delete your account at any time.
What we collect
- Email — to send you waitlist updates and beta access
- Dog profile (optional) — breed, age, weight, known conditions. Only if you choose to add it.
- Symptom reports — your queries and the AI's responses, used to improve the model and give you a continuous health timeline
- Photos you upload — analyzed for the relevant query, then stored privately in your account
- Anonymized usage data — to understand how the app is used and what to improve
What we never do
- Sell your data to anyone — pet food companies, insurance providers, no exceptions
- Share identifiable health data with veterinarians without your explicit consent
- Use your dog's photos in marketing without explicit permission
- Train our AI on your data without your consent (you can opt out at any time)
For full details, see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
Common questions about how it works
For common, well-documented conditions, VetScan's triage matches veterinary recommendations in our internal testing. For rare or atypical conditions, it errs on the side of "see a vet." When in doubt, we always escalate.
Trust your gut. You know your dog better than any AI ever will. If something feels off — even if VetScan says "watch and wait" — go to the vet. We will never get offended.
Not yet. VetScan is dog-only at launch. Cats have different physiology and need their own dedicated tool. They're on our roadmap.
Some lightweight checks work offline (e.g., emergency symptom flagging, your saved reports). Full AI-powered triage requires an internet connection.
Most vets we've spoken with welcome it. The biggest issue they face isn't dog parents using AI — it's dog parents using Google. VetScan helps you arrive at appointments more informed and less panicked, which makes the visit easier for everyone.
For the full FAQ, see our FAQ page.
Ready to try it?
Join the waitlist for early access when VetScan opens to dog parents in your country.
Join the waitlist