What is Cornerstone Vet Software?

Cornerstone is one of the three largest, original software platforms built for the veterinary industry, originally built back in 1985 by IDEXX. It offers practices options to streamline their workflows and operating processes via modern software options. It’s a partial, integrated, and server-based solution, as compared to the many all-in-one cloud-based options now available. Cornerstone also integrates with IDEXX’s diagnostic and imaging tools.

Overview of Cornerstone Vet Software’s Key Features

Cornerstone Vet Software, an integrated software solution from IDEXX, promises streamlined workflow via several core features, including diagnostic integration, inventory management, and electronic medical records (EMR), for reliable access around the clock. Cornerstone can aid vet practices looking to automate or semi-automate their procedures and processes, such as invoicing workflows.

How Cornerstone Supports Veterinary Practice Management

Cornerstone helps veterinary practices in several ways. It combines administrative and clinical functions like scheduling, electronic medical records, and invoicing into one platform. It integrates with IDEXX diagnostic equipment and laboratories, allowing veterinarians to order lab requests on the platform while also viewing results within the system. Practices can also customize medical record templates and produce a wide range of reports to help with clinical and business decisions.

Cornerstone Vet Software Pricing Breakdown

Subscription Plans and Pricing Options

Cornerstone doesn’t advertise its pricing for plans on its website. But Capterra lists it at $420 a month.

Additional Costs of Cornerstone Vet Software

Practices who sign up for Cornerstone will pay more than a monthly fee. They can expect to pay fees for server maintenance and data backup. There may be implementation fees and the cost of training or retraining staff on the platform.
There are also added fees for additional software. For example, practices can integrate more communication features onto the platform with VitusVet but will expect to pay for that service.

Free Trial and Support Options

Cornerstone offers a brief, 15-day free trial period for potential clients, during which trial clients gain access to a full-time support team.

Common Use Cases for Cornerstone Vet Software

How Cornerstone Assists Small and Large Veterinary Practices

Some benefits of Cornerstone apply regardless of scale. Its robust medical template does not depend on practice size. Ease of adoption, however, depends on the size of a practice. A small, tight-knit team may be able to integrate quicker around a new set of practices, while a multi-location practice may need time. Weigh the size of your vet practice carefully before considering Cornerstone.

Benefits for Managing Medical Records

Cornerstone allows users to customize electronic medical records, where they can access information from diagnosis to tests to medicine.

Cornerstone for Practice Managers

For practice managers, Cornerstone represents an organizational tool. They can use it to support a paperless environment while streamlining operations. In the case of a multi-location practice, managers access patient records.

Cornerstone Vet Software Reviews: What Customers Are Saying

Cornerstone Vet Software Reviews and Feedback

Feedback on Cornerstone runs the gamut from praise for the integrations and customization to frustration with system crashes and a click-heavy interface.

Pros and Cons of Cornerstone Vet Software

Popular pros include how Cornerstone integrates different functions and connects with other IDEXX platforms like diagnostics. Others include how practices can connect with patients and customize medical records. There are several cons. Some have found Cornerstone to be difficult to learn while others have described its interface as not user-friendly. Hardware support is not free, which is an added expense for practices.
Other complaints concern limited functions overall and a lack of education around system capabilities. As a partial software solution, integrating with other software can prove time-intensive, especially for smaller vets with limited personnel.

Comparison with Other Practice Management Software

Relative to other practice management software, Cornerstone offers a fairly limited menu of functions, and limited training in what those functions are. It may be more suitable to small vet practices with limited needs, some managers have concluded.

Cornerstone Vet Software: Training and Support

Some customers have noted that training failed to make clear the full suite of features Cornerstone offers, limiting its use in the case of existing clients.

Cornerstone Vet Software Training Overview

Tutorials and Support Resources

Cornerstone offers training tutorials in addition to access to live customer support. Their help team is broken down into departments to better address your specific needs, whether it be with older models, end-of-period needs, or something else.

Help with Scheduling and Managing Vaccinations

For help scheduling vaccinations, Cornerstone offers automated reminders on the practice side, and direct notifications for clients.

When NectarVet Might Be Right For You

If Cornerstone doesn’t sound like the right fit for you, consider NectarVet, an all-in-one software solution with easy-to-access features and support. If you’re interested and want to learn more about Nectar, click here.

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What is Shepherd Vet Software?

Shepherd Veterinary Software offers many standard features of vet practice management software. This includes: an interface designed for intuitive navigation, a robust suite of automation tools, SOAP medical record workflow, and an interactive client portal, with medical histories, RX refill modules, vaccine certificates, and more.

Overview of Shepherd’s Key Features

Whether as a practice manager, pet owner, or vet practitioner, your first contact point with Shepherd will be its online interface. By matching the workflow of your practice, including how you process patients, Shepherd connects you with highly legible records from patient info to medical histories.

How Shepherd Streamlines Practice Management

Shepherd can reduce many of the routine tasks of running a veterinary practice through automation. For example, it updates SOAP medical records automatically.
Shepherd improves the vet experience for pet owners too. They can access their pet’s medical history and prescription information through a customizable client portal.

Shepherd Veterinary Software Pricing Breakdown

Subscription Plans and Pricing Tiers

Shepherd offers users different tiers of pricing based on the number of doctors in a practice. A one-doctor practice pays $299 a month. Each additional one costs $99 more. Practices with four or more doctors would have to contact Shepherd for pricing.

Is There a Free Trial or Demo Available?

Shepherd offers free software demos and free trial accounts.

Hidden Costs to Be Aware Of

There are potential hidden costs to know of before signing with Shepherd.
Users may pay higher fees to use the Shepherd payment processing platform. They may also pay more than the advertised subscription of $299 or more if they opt for a different payment processor.
Shepherd also has a data migration fee, which it is known to waive. But there are two catches:

• The amount practices can migrate is limited. For example, they don’t include older invoices, past reporting data, or attachments. This can lead to higher costs when they’re manually transferred.
• If your practice enrolls and leaves the platform, Shepherd may make you pay the data migration fee that was initially waived.

Common Use Cases for Vet Shepherd Software

How Small Clinics Benefit from Shepherd

Small-scale clinics benefit from Shepherd by expediting their record-keeping, Rx data, and SOAPs in accordance with Shepherd’s streamlined workflow model.

Features That Make Shepherd Vet Ideal for Mobile Vets

Mobile vets can benefit from a single point of entry for client information. An online presence can facilitate patient-to-vet communication, especially during periods of busy travel. Shepherd also allows users to apply multiple taxes by ZIP code, which could be helpful for a mobile vet serving several cities.

Vet Software Reviews: What Customers Are Saying

Positive Feedback from Veterinary Professionals

Customers have praised Shepherd’s cost, ease of use, and staff training. The user interface is straightforward, even for first-time vet software users, according to online feedback.

Common Complaints or Issues Reported

Dissatisfied customers have highlighted a number of issues with Shepherd’s software. One gripe with SOAP is that every letter in SOAP requires users to open a different tab. (Most veterinary practice software enables all of this information to be entered in one place.) Another common complaint is that entering prescriptions in Shepherd involves navigating between different tabs and pages in a click-heavy process.

Is Shepherd Vet Software the Right Choice for Your Practice?

Pros and Cons of Choosing Shepherd

Pros of Shepherd include its low cost and staff training. Cons involve bugs and usability issues in its interface and its finance modules for practitioners, which require users to toggle back and forth between tabs.

Key Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision

Before committing to software, always weigh the key factors, like cost, convenience, and long-term benefits. Some will meet your specific needs, others won’t, especially now that the marketplace is crowded with competitive options.

When NectarVet Might Be Right For You

As an alternative to Shepherd Vet, consider NectarVet, an all-in-one software solution customizable to your needs, with state-of-the-art diagnostic, medical, financial, and communications tools and a team available for technical support. If you’d like to learn more about Nectar, click here.

If you’re a veterinary practitioner, you’ll know apart from offering medical care to animals, you have a second job: managing the many logistical details that crop every day. These details enable informed, sensitive, and modern animal care.  

All-in-one software platforms such as NectarVet have grown in popularity in answer to the growing set of needs veterinarians face. NectarVet added another tool to streamline diagnostic work through its partnership with Zoetis. Zoetis is an animal health diagnostic company that offers veterinarians several tools, including virtual lab services. 

Zoetis Diagnostics and Lab Features

Zoetis’ goal is to equip animal healthcare providers with diagnostic tools that offer informed, specialist-level diagnosis. With its online lab, Zoetis connects providers to a platform of integrated services, such as AI analytics, expert specialists, and point-of-care analyzers. 

Key Diagnostic Tools Offered by Zoetis Diagnostics

Zoetis Diagnostics boasts a unique portfolio of tools that are integrated and provide a broadly-informed diagnosis. One example is the AI-powered Vetscan Imagyst which offers five testing functions in one tool. Veterinarians and their teams can also use Vetscan Imagyst to analyze:

• Fecal matter 
• Urine sediment
• Dermatology diagnostics
• Blood smear samples
• Cytopathology specimens

Advanced Lab Capabilities for Veterinary Clinics

Part of what makes Zoetis uniquely useful is its integrations. Its online lab combines state-of-the-art A.I. diagnostic tools with live support teams. Vetscan Hub, which is available as part of the online lab, consolidates important data and devices on a single platform for optimal workflows.

The Benefits of Zoetis’ Diagnostics for Vet Practice Owners

Streamlined Diagnostic and Reporting

Zoetis’ Diagnostics expands the capabilities of practitioners many times over numerous veterinary practice owners. By offsetting what can be a heavy logistical load, you’ll set your practitioners up to do what they do best: animal care. With Zoetis’ streamlined diagnostic capabilities, your veterinarians will spend less time waiting for test results and shrink the gap between consultation, follow-up visits, testing, and accurate diagnostics. 

Increased Efficiency and Accuracy in Treatment

Zoetis' portfolio of integrated diagnostic tools helps veterinary practitioners multiply the speed at which they can diagnose a full range of conditions. Access to support teams to answer questions and troubleshoot issues helps put any animal in your care on the fast track to full recovery. 

About Zoetis Diagnostics and Labs 

What Does Zoetis Reference Laboratories Offer?

Adding any of the technologies available in Zoetis Reference Laboratories to your diagnostic toolkit gives practitioners the data they need to provide their patients with holistic treatments. Users can order tests for most species, from canines to livestock. It also connects with other diagnostic tools, products, and services with ZoetixDx, an online, integrated platform. 

Zoetis Acquisition of Abaxis: Expanding Diagnostic Capabilities

Overview of Abaxis and Its Diagnostic Portfolio

As an expansion to its diagnostic portfolio in 2018, Zoetis added Abaxis, a medical device maker of point-of-care blood testing devices. Abaxis offers team training specific to blood work compliance, customer service customer retention counsel, and more. As with Zoetis, Abaxis is founded on the principle that by educating vets and vet owners, their practices will thrive.

New Capabilities Added to Zoetis

Abaxis expanded Zoetis’ stake in the veterinary diagnostic market, which was expected to grow by more than 50% from 2017 to 2022. The acquisition of Abaxis a portfolio of point-of-care diagnostic instruments to Zoetis product line. 

How Does NectarVet Integrate with Zoetis Labs

The goal for any all-in-one veterinary care software platform is to provide for all needs. Through its partnership with Zoetis, NectarVet connects veterinarians to integrated diagnostic tools online that streamline workflows on the diagnostic side. Learn more about how you and your team can save time and resources with NectarVet’s all-in-one platform.

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Technological advancements have revolutionized the veterinary industry. Cloud-based software is helping vets everywhere to modernize their practices. If you’re wondering about how it can help your veterinary practice, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best cloud-based vet software options on the market today, and help you figure out which is best for you and your needs. 

What is Cloud-Based Veterinary Software?

Cloud-based veterinary software is a tool that more and more vets are taking advantage of. It allows you to manage your operations online, with no need for physical servers or software installations on individual devices. When you use the cloud, your information is available to you wherever you have an internet connection, thus affording you greater flexibility. Because you’re no longer stuck retrieving information from particular computer drives, your business has a greater capacity to grow, and you can be more assured that your information is safe and secure. 

Benefits of using cloud-based software for vets

Using cloud-based software as a vet comes with a range of benefits, including: remote access and accessibility from any device, lower IT costs, improved security, automatic data backups, and software updates automatically being deployed. With the cloud, you can access your information from anywhere, even while on the road. You can get rid of expensive hardware and servers. And you can take advantage of the robust security services afforded by the cloud.  

How cloud-based software improves client communications

To be a good vet, you need to be able to communicate with your clients. That’s a huge part of the business. When you use the cloud, you can set up client portals, set automated reminders, and use message systems that help you communicate with your beloved pet owners. The cloud is already a great way to streamline the client experience, allowing you to share test results with simplicity and ease. 

Saving time with cloud-based veterinary practice management

Using cloud-based technology is helpful for another reason: It saves you a lot of time! Whether it’s scheduling appointments, processing payments, or managing inventory, the cloud helps you automate much of this workflow. It also enables you to seamlessly track the clinic’s performance, thus allowing you to focus on what you really care about: caring for your clients and their dear pets.  

H2: Top Cloud-Based Veterinary Software in 2025

When it comes to cloud-based veterinary software, options abound. Let’s take a look at some of the best options in 2025. 

Overview of the best software solutions

Vetspire

Vetspire bills itself as the cloud-based solution that “lets veterinarians be veterinarians.” It’s intuitive to use and boasts a slick interface. Vetspire is popular because of its reporting tools and ability to adapt based on the needs of particular practices, making it the top choice for corporate groups with multiple locations. 

EzyVet

EzyVet is popular among speciality and emergency clinics due to its integration with Smart Flow and robust feature set. It offers a range of management tools, including scheduling, patient records, billing, and inventory management. It also integrates well with diagnostic tools and laboratories. 

NectarVet

NectarVet is your go-to software to simplify practice management for general practice clinics. A highly intuitive option specially designed by veterinary teams, it offers the most end-to-end set of cloud-based software tools in a single streamlined platform: AI-powered SOAP generation, automated inventory with VetCove integration, 2-way SMS and client portal, and more.

Neo

IDEXX’s Neo is an easy-to-use option that offers the essential tools you’ll need to grow your practice. It’s considered simpler than its EzyVet counterpart for smaller practices and provides easy integration with IDEXX’s diagnostic systems. Its brilliant, simple interface helps you streamline functionality. 

Digitail

Digitail is another cloud-based platform whose distinguishing feature is that it’s designed to enhance client experience, including through its downloadable Pet Parent App. 

Provet Cloud

Provet Cloud is a simple, no-frills solution for multi-national practices and includes centralized billing and reporting. It’s good at integrating with diagnostic labs and it includes telemedicine and automated client reminders. ‍

Shepherd Vet

Designed by vets for vets, Shepherd Vet is an intuitive cloud-based management software. It focuses on saving time and enhancing care. Some of its key features include 2-way SMS and client portal. 

Comparison of pricing and subscription models

Pricing varies depending on which software provider you use. 

Shepherd

Shepherd has low subscription fees and doesn’t charge for data migration in exchange for migrating a limited subset of data (no invoice or report data). But its payment processing fees are high.

Vetspire

Vetspire’s pricing depends on the size of the practice, with a fixed price per month per the total number of full-time veterinarians on the staff. They offer 3 tiers of data migration packages, from low-touch to high-touch and varied fees.

ezyVet

EzyVet’s price goes up based on the number of users, or the number of full-time veterinarians who will be accessing the software. It has high fees for data migration fees but lower ones for subscription. It also charges per text message sent and users can expect to pay additional subscription fees for module add-ons.

Digitail

Digitail uses a monthly subscription model that charges per veterinarian. Also, expect to pay add-on fees for modules like voice dictation.

Provet Cloud

Provet Cloud has a monthly subscription fee that varies based on the size of the practice and how many veterinarians will be using the software. You incur additional costs for certain features. ‍

NectarVet

NectarVet is considered affordable for small practices, and it also offers advanced features that can be a big help to smaller practices in need of customizable solutions. Its fees for data migration and subscription fall in the middle of the pack. It offers different tiers of pricing based on the clinic size. NectarVet also offers low card processing fees. 

Key features to look for in cloud-based vet software

When you’re trying to figure out which kind of cloud-based vet software will work best for you, keep some of these features in mind: 

• Appointment scheduling services
• Automated client reminders
• Comprehensive medical record management
• Inventory tracking 
• Billing and invoicing 
• Client portals 
• Communication tools
• Telemedicine support
• Integration with diagnostic labs

Reviews of Popular Cloud-Based Veterinary Software

What users are saying about different platforms

Opinions on these softwares are a mixed bag! As you might expect, vets’ opinions on particular softwares depends on the specific needs of their practice and how well each software meets those needs.

User feedback on client communication tools

Most cloud-based vet software gives you the ability to message with clients, to share reminders, and to post information in client portals. Vets love the ease that these features bring into their relationship with their clients. 

How to Choose the Best Cloud-Based Software for Your Practice

Key factors to consider in practice management software

Finding the right cloud-based software for you really depends on the specifics of your business. If you have a smaller practice, for example, you can use a simpler cloud-based system; larger clinics, though, tend to need more complex features. Then you should think about the specific needs of your practice. Do you want to prioritize easy client communication? Inventory management? Do you have a big need for telemedicine? All of these facts should be taken into account when you’re deciding. 

Integration with existing systems and client management tools

This is vitally important: You need to be sure that your cloud-based software integrates with your existing systems and client management tools. Software that promises seamless integration with diagnostic labs, payment processors, and so on, will save you a lot of time and cut down on possible errors. 

Cost-benefit analysis of cloud-based solutions

No matter the business you’re in, cost-benefit analyses are important. There are tradeoffs to any decision. Yes, if you invest in cloud-based software, you can expect to pay fees–often monthly subscription fees. But the benefits abound. You save time, reduce costs, and connect more effectively with your clients. For these reasons and more, investing in a cloud-based solution may be worth the price. 

Why Consider NectarVet

NectarVet is an affordable cloud-based software that includes all the features you could possibly want as a vet. But the appeal of NectarVet goes beyond that. It’s really about the team in place that stands ready to help you with all of your needs and get you set up with the kind of software your clients will love. 

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For a veterinary practice to thrive, it needs to be able to maintain a robust and up-to-date schedule. That way, you can keep track of appointments, cut down on no-shows, and generally provide a greater level of care to your clients. But with the range of scheduling software available to you, it’s important to know which features to look out for. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about scheduling software for vet practices. 

Why Use Vet Appointment Scheduling Software?

Appointment scheduling software is essential for any thriving veterinary practice. It helps keep you organized and on task, and it makes scheduling more convenient for you and your clients. 40% of them will likely book an appointment outside your business hours. Embedding online booking on your website also lowers the barrier for new or current clients to schedule appointments. 

With your operations running smoothly, you can focus on what you really care about: helping your clients and their beloved pets. Let’s take a look at some of the most important benefits of using scheduling software. 

Reducing double bookings and no-shows

Ask any vet: Double bookings are a real problem. There’s nothing worse than having two clients show up for an appointment at the same time. Both leave unsatisfied. But when you invest in top-notch scheduling software, you can cut down on double bookings and no-shows. Good scheduling software typically includes an option to send automated reminders to clients, which cuts down on missed appointments. Moreover, such software helps your internal organization, making sure you never accidentally sign clients up for the same time slot.  

How automated reminders and text messages improve patient care

Automated reminders are a way to send texts and emails to clients ahead of their appointments. These regular reminders reduce no-shows and optimize your time caring for patients and their pets. These reminders can also encourage follow-up visits, which are good for business and, more importantly, good for pet health.  

Saving time with online booking and appointment management

Scheduling software helps you and your clients save time through online booking and appointment management. Furthermore, online booking cuts down on administrative tasks at the office. Booking, rescheduling, canceling, and more can all get done with a few simple clicks, leaving you more time to focus on the work that matters most. 

Top Vet Appointment Scheduling Software for 2025

When it comes to vet appointment scheduling software, options abound. Pay attention to the features that will work best for the needs of your own practice. 

Overview of the best software solutions

There are a lot of great options available to you in 2025. Some include PetDesk, AllyDVM, VetStoria, and Weave. You can check out this article about the best cloud-based software now on the market.  

Comparison of pricing and subscription models

Pricing models depend on a variety of factors, including: how many vets are employed by your practice; the number of people using the service; and whether you decide to get billed on a monthly or annual basis. Be sure to compare pricing tiers based on the needs of your own clinic.  

Vet appointment scheduling software features to look for

You want to be sure your vet scheduling software includes online booking, integration with your management system, and automated text reminders. These are the keys to success, leading to reduced errors and fewer no-shows. 

Key Features of Vet Appointment Scheduling Software

To get the most bang for your buck, it’s important to understand which features your clinic will most benefit from. Here are some to keep in mind: 

Automatic text reminders and notifications

Automated text reminders and notifications make sure your clients are aware of their upcoming appointments, thereby reducing no-shows and keeping everything operating at a high level. 

Scheduling vet appointments online

Online scheduling is a must-have for modern vet clinics. It’s good for clients, who can schedule their appointments with ease, and it’s good for the clinics, where employees can spend more time improving client satisfaction. An average of 40% of appointments are booked outside of business hours.

How to schedule a vet appointment online

Few things are easier than scheduling an appointment online. Clients simply log into the booking portal, pick a slot, and confirm it. Quality software allows you to go back in and modify or cancel your appointments, too.  

Schedule vet appointments online near me

Scheduling systems often use location-based services to help pet owners find nearby clinics with online booking. This feature is particularly useful for new clients searching for convenient veterinary care.

Reducing no-shows with automated reminders

Automated reminders cut back on no-shows by letting your clients know about their upcoming appointments. Such reminders are sent via text or email, allowing clients plenty of time to make plans–or adjust existing plans, as needed. 

Managing upcoming appointments in your practice management system

It’s important to choose a software that is easily integrated with your current practice management system. This allows you to have up-to-date info for every appointment.  

24/7 online booking through client portal

A 24/7 online portal lets clients book appointments at literally any time of day. This improves client satisfaction and cuts the workload for 9-5 office workers in your clinic. 

Deposit collection (to reduce no-shows)

Some platforms ask for payment info at the time of booking, thereby reducing no-shows. Clients who have already made a financial commitment to their appointment are much more likely to show up. 

Customizable scheduling 

Customizable scheduling options allow you to make adjustments based on appointment type, length of appointment, and more. That way, you can see if a client is coming in for a checkup, a surgery, or something more serious. Understanding the types of appointments on your schedule will help your clinic operate at the highest level. 

Digital client forms

Have your clients fill out their information before they arrive. This will speed up intake and reduce no-shows.

Reviews of Popular Vet Appointment Scheduling Software

What users say about ease of online booking

Clients and vet clinics alike love the ease of online booking with products like PetDesk, AllyDVM, VetStoria, and Weave. They love the simplicity of the process and the way it cuts down on needless errors associated with manual booking. But there’s also interest in all-in-one Practice Information Management System (PIMS) like NectarVet, which have all the client communications you need provided in the same platform as your medical records, inventory, and billing so that no integration or extra subscription fees are needed.

Pros and cons of veterinary appointment scheduling software

Any technology you invest in has some pros and cons. Some platforms are better than others; some have features that better align with your needs. It’s important to understand these trade-offs before choosing your preferred platform.  

How to Choose the Right Appointment Scheduling Software for Your Vet Clinic

Factors to consider: online scheduling, automatic texts, and reducing no-shows

When you’re deciding which scheduling software to use, make sure you’re choosing software that includes online scheduling and automated messaging. These features help keep you on schedule while reducing pesky no-shows. 

Vet clinic success stories: saving time and improving patient care

Ask around. Many vet clinics that have adopted scheduling software rave about the ways in which this investment has revolutionized their work. 

“(NectarVet) has increased our efficiency quite a bit, including lower numbers of clicks to get to information, streamlining the scheduling process, streamlining communication process with the text two way SMS messaging, and they just rolled out an actual option to request an appointment that we can approve and then put on our calendar as well,” said Dr. Brittany of Magnolia, TX.

Selecting the right software is a personal matter, depending on the particular needs of your clinic. But make no mistake: such software can make a big difference, helping you help pet parents and their beloved pets. 

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