Preventive care is the foundation of long-term health for pets. Yet, ensuring that clients adhere to preventive care recommendations—like routine check-ups and vaccinations—can be an ongoing challenge for veterinary practices.

Software tools can help.

The right tools offer practical solutions that can help clinics increase compliance, enhance patient outcomes, and build stronger relationships with pet owners. Here’s how you can leverage technology to boost compliance in your practice.

Educating clients on preventive care

Educating pet owners about the importance of preventive care is the first step in boosting compliance. Software platforms can make this education process more interactive and engaging. For example, PetDesk and Vet2Pet feature client portals with educational resources like videos, articles, and infographics that explain the benefits of regular check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite prevention. Practices can customize these platforms to share content directly with clients, making it easier for them to understand why preventive care is crucial for their pets' well-being.

Imagine sending a client a personalized video explaining why heartworm prevention is necessary for their dog, followed by an interactive quiz that helps reinforce the message. By making education engaging and accessible, these software platforms help your clients become more informed and more likely to follow through with preventive care.

Tracking compliance metrics to overcome barriers

Understanding where your clients are falling short in compliance is critical to improving it. Analytics tools from VetSuccess and Covetrus Insights allow practices to track compliance metrics, such as how often clients schedule follow-up appointments or renew prescriptions.

For instance, if you notice that many clients are missing annual dental cleanings, you can use these insights to investigate further. Maybe the cost is a concern, or perhaps clients aren’t aware of the importance of dental care for pets. With data in hand, you can address these specific barriers—perhaps by offering a limited-time discount on dental cleanings or sending out educational material on the risks of dental disease.

Automating reminders for vaccinations, check-ups, and treatments

Clients often miss preventive care appointments simply because they forget. Automated reminders can make a huge difference in ensuring that they stay on top of their pets' care. Software tools like AllyDVM and Vetstoria enable practices to automatically send reminders for upcoming appointments, vaccinations, and treatments via text, email, or app notifications.

For example, a client who booked their pet's annual wellness exam six months ago may not have it on their radar anymore. With an automated reminder sent two weeks before the appointment and another a few days before, that client is much more likely to show up. These reminders can also be customized to include specific instructions or information, such as "Don't forget to bring a fresh stool sample for your pet’s parasite check-up!" These small touches help ensure that clients follow through with scheduled care.

Using insights to tailor communication strategies

Different clients have different communication preferences, and the more you tailor your approach, the better your results will be. Some clients may prefer quick text reminders, while others are more responsive to emails with detailed information. PIMSs like Provet Cloud and ezyVet allow you to segment your client base and customize how you communicate with each group.

For example, younger clients might respond well to push notifications from an app, while older clients might appreciate a phone call reminder. Software can also help you track which methods are most effective for each client, allowing you to continuously refine your communication strategy. By catering to individual preferences, you increase the likelihood of clients engaging with your preventive care reminders.

Automating wellness plans to create a subscription effect

Wellness plans are an excellent way to ensure consistent preventive care, but managing them manually can be a logistical challenge. Purpose-built software platforms – like, say, baxtr – allow you to automate wellness plans, making it easy for clients to sign up, pay, and stay on track with their pets’ care.

For instance, a wellness plan that includes biannual check-ups, vaccinations, and flea prevention can be managed entirely through the software. Clients receive automatic reminders when it’s time to bring their pets in for a visit, and the subscription model ensures that payments are handled smoothly and consistently. This not only increases compliance but also helps your practice maintain a steady revenue stream. Practices even see a boost in client retention, as the subscription model keeps pet owners engaged and invested in their pets’ care over the long term.

Enhancing compliance through technology

Increasing preventive care compliance benefits both your patients and your practice. By leveraging software tools, you can better educate your clients, track and address compliance challenges, and make it easier for pet owners to stay on top of their pets' health.

From automating reminders to creating seamless wellness plans, these tools enable you to improve patient outcomes while strengthening your practice’s financial stability. By integrating technology into your approach to preventive care, you can foster better client relationships, increase compliance rates, and set your practice up for long-term success.