Specialty medicine, without the software fighting you.
Complex cases, referring-vet relationships, and records that have to hold real detail. OpenVPM's structured medical records and open API keep specialists and referral partners working from the same history.
Built for the realities of specialty & referral.
The friction you know too well, and how an open, API-first PIMS clears it.
Referral communication is clunky
Records from referring vets arrive by fax and email and live nowhere useful. Centralize the case so everyone, including the rDVM, sees the same history.
Records aren't built for complexity
Specialty cases need structured SOAPs, diagnostics, and multi-visit timelines. Generic note fields don't cut it.
Integrations are impossible
Specialty equipment and reference labs need to talk to your PIMS. A real, open API makes that an integration, not a vendor support ticket.
The modules that matter most.
Every OpenVPM module works together. Here's where teams like yours spend their day.
Medical Records
SOAP, labs, Rx, and vaccines on one record.
See how it worksClient Communications
Two-way SMS, email, and portal in one inbox.
See how it worksPatient Management
Weight trends, allergy alerts, multi-pet households.
See how it worksReports & Analytics
Revenue, production, and utilization, exportable.
See how it worksBuilt for Compliance
DEA logging, audit trails, role-based access.
See how it worksUse OpenVPM your way.
Self-host the full open-source PIMS for free, or let us run it for you. Same software, your choice.
Run OpenVPM on your own infrastructure. No billing gates, no feature limits, no hosted metering.
- Full source under the AGPLv3 license
- Every module and the complete API
- Docker or Vercel deployment paths
- Bring your own database, email, SMS, and AI keys
Common questions
Does OpenVPM work for specialty and referral hospitals?
Yes. Structured medical records, referring-vet communication, and an open API for diagnostics and lab integrations make it a fit for specialty and referral caseloads.
Can referring vets get records easily?
Yes. The case is centralized on the patient record, and the open API lets you share or sync records rather than relying on fax and email.
Can we integrate our specialty equipment and labs?
Yes. OpenVPM ships 150+ documented REST endpoints with webhooks, so integrations are something you can build rather than a vendor ticket.
Related reading
Who Owns Your Veterinary Practice's Data? (And What Happens When You Try to Leave)
The AVMA says your practice owns its data. Most PIMS contracts don't agree. A plain-language guide to exit fees, portability traps, and what open-source changes.
Read moreWhy veterinary software should be open
Every other part of the clinic is built on standards. The software that runs it shouldn't be a locked box you rent forever.
Read moreSee OpenVPM in your workflow.
The demo is live and loaded with real-looking data. Click around, then decide whether to self-host it free or let us run it for you.