Avimark vs Shepherd Veterinary Software: Veterinary Software Compared

A side-by-side look at Avimark and Shepherd Veterinary Software. See how these veterinary practice management systems compare on features, deployment, and PupPilot sync support.

26 Features Compared Both Sync with PupPilot Updated 2026

Avimark Hybrid

Parent CompanyCovetrus (Patterson Companies)
Founded~1990s
DeploymentOn-Premise (cloud-hybrid)
PricingLicense + Annual Support
User Base11,000+ hospitals
Best ForEstablished small animal practices that want a proven, widely-supported on-premise system with deep third-party connections
PupPilot Sync Full Sync
VS

Shepherd Veterinary Software Cloud

Parent CompanyShepherd Veterinary Software (independent)
Founded~2018
DeploymentCloud-Based
PricingSubscription (per month)
User BaseGrowing startup user base
Best ForSmall animal general practices that want a modern, intuitive cloud PIM with AI-powered documentation
PupPilot Sync Full Sync

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

How Avimark and Shepherd Veterinary Software stack up across 26 core capabilities

FeatureAvimarkShepherd Veterinary Software
EMR / Medical Records Core Clinical✓✓
SOAP Notes Core Clinical✓✓
AI SOAP / Transcription Core Clinical✗✓
Treatment Sheets / Whiteboard Core Clinical✓✗
Prescription Management Core Clinical✓✓
Digital Imaging / DICOM Core Clinical✓✓
Controlled Substance Logging Core Clinical✓✗
Appointment Scheduling Scheduling✓✓
Online Booking (Client Self-Service) Scheduling✓✓
Boarding / Hospitalization Scheduling✓✗
Inventory Management Financial✓✓
Invoicing & Billing Financial✓✓
Payment Processing Financial✓✓
Wellness Plans Financial✓✗
Client Communication (Reminders) Client Engagement✓✓
2-Way Messaging / Texting Client Engagement✗✓
Client Portal / App Client Engagement✓✓
Telemedicine / Video Client Engagement✓✗
Reporting & Analytics Operations✓✓
Multi-Location Support Operations✓✗
Mobile App / Access Operations✗✓
Digital Forms (Intake/Consent) Operations✗✓
IDEXX Lab Connection Lab Connections✓✓
Antech Lab Connection Lab Connections✓✗
Heska Lab Connection Lab Connections✓✗
IDEXX Web PACS Imaging Lab Connections✗✓

Strengths & Weaknesses

Avimark

+ Largest ecosystem of third-party connections (50+ vendors)
+ Proven reliability with 30+ years and 11,000+ hospitals
+ Single-screen patient view streamlines daily workflows
− On-premise architecture means no true remote access without add-ons
− Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native PIMs
− No AI-powered features like transcription or SOAP generation

Shepherd Veterinary Software

+ AI-powered TranscribeAI and DiagnoseAI save hours of documentation time
+ Interactive body maps for species-appropriate digital exams
+ Clean, modern interface with minimal learning curve — designed by a vet
− Smaller user base means fewer third-party connections
− No multi-location support for growing practices
− Limited to small animal GP — no large animal or specialty features

PupPilot Syncs with Both

Whether your clinic runs Avimark or Shepherd Veterinary Software, PupPilot's AI phone answering service syncs directly with your practice management system to answer calls with real patient context. Learn more about how PupPilot works with Avimark and Shepherd Veterinary Software.

PupPilot + Avimark Full Sync

Reads: Patient records, appointment schedule, medical history, medications, client info

Writes: Appointment booking, call notes, follow-up tasks

Connection: Cloud API or direct database connection

Setup: Days

PupPilot + Shepherd Veterinary Software Full Sync

Reads: Patient records, appointment schedule, medical history, medications, client info

Writes: Appointment booking, call notes, follow-up tasks

Connection: Cloud API

Setup: Days

Frequently Asked Questions

Avimark is Massive installed base with 50+ vendor connections; proven workhorse for general practice. Shepherd Veterinary Software is Vet-founded with built-in AI (TranscribeAI, DiagnoseAI) and interactive body maps. The best choice depends on your clinic's size, specialty, and workflow preferences.

It depends on your priorities. Avimark is best for Established small animal practices that want a proven, widely-supported on-premise system with deep third-party connections. Shepherd Veterinary Software is best for Small animal general practices that want a modern, intuitive cloud PIM with AI-powered documentation. Consider factors like your budget, whether you prefer cloud or on-premise, and which lab systems you use.

Yes. PupPilot syncs with both Avimark and Shepherd Veterinary Software, providing AI-powered phone answering that reads patient records and appointment data directly from either system.

Yes, data migration between Avimark and Shepherd Veterinary Software is possible, though it typically requires careful planning and may involve a third-party migration service. Your PupPilot service would continue working seamlessly through the switch.