Sofia Spatola
Posted by Computer Solutions on December 15, 2025
If you’ve ever lost power mid-appointment, watched your internet drop during a payment, or scrambled to recover a chart after a crash, you already know how fragile veterinary technology can be.
And as winter storms roll in, those risks multiply. December through March is peak season for outages, interruptions, and lost data. That’s why now is the time to double-check your clinic’s safety net starting with your veterinary data backup.
From snowstorms to ransomware, your practice needs systems that can bounce back fast. Let’s talk about what a reliable backup setup really looks like, how to avoid the most common pitfalls, and why this matters even if “everything seems fine.”
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Plenty. And it happens more often than you think.
- Power outages can cause corrupted files, failed updates, or loss of in-progress SOAPs
- Internet downtime stops cloud-based PIMS tools, payment processing, and email
- Failed backups that haven’t been tested leave you with no safety net
- One-location-only backups mean your data could vanish in a fire, flood, or theft
- No failover internet leads to total downtime during busy holiday rushes
It only takes one of those scenarios to disrupt an entire day and lose revenue you can’t get back.
What a Veterinary Data Backup System Should Actually Include
A solid veterinary data backup isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a layered plan that covers multiple threats.
Here’s what that looks like in a well-supported clinic:
1. Local backup (on-site NAS or server)
Captures frequent snapshots throughout the day and stores them on-site for fast restores.
2. Cloud backup (encrypted, off-site)
Protects you if your building goes offline or hardware fails. Should include versioning for specific restore points.
3. Tested restores
A backup that hasn’t been tested is a gamble. You (or your IT provider) should verify restores regularly.
4. Monitoring and alerts
Automatic alerts flag failures, stalls, or missed schedules before a crisis hits.
5. Clear recovery procedures
Your team should know who to call, what steps to take, and where backups are located.
Don’t Forget the Internet Side of the Storm
Even if your data is safe, you can’t operate if your internet is down.
Ask yourself:
- Do you have redundant internet or LTE failover?
- Can your team access patient data or process payments offline?
- Are your access points and routers on battery backup (UPS)?
These often-forgotten pieces matter just as much as your backups.
What Happens When the Phones Go Out?
Technology failures don’t stop with data. Power or internet loss also affects phones, VoIP systems, and email. If your clients can’t reach you, or vice versa, you need a fallback plan.
Emergency communication checklist:
- Have an LTE hotspot or backup phone (charged and ready)
- Use cloud-based phone systems with mobile app access
- Maintain a paper version of your schedule and patient list
- Post urgent updates on your clinic’s social media or website
- Make sure staff have a clear point person and process when systems go down
A communication failure during a snowstorm or holiday weekend doesn’t just cost money, it damages trust with your clients. The good news? A little planning goes a long way.
The Hidden Cost of Downtime
Veterinary teams are great at adapting on the fly, but that adaptability shouldn’t be your disaster plan.
When systems go down:
- Appointments get delayed or canceled
- Checkouts back up and payments are missed
- Staff waste time troubleshooting instead of treating
- Stress skyrockets, especially during the holiday rush
A small investment in your veterinary data backup setup can prevent big losses when the unexpected hits.
Your Winter Checklist (You Can Do This Week)
Here’s a quick self-audit you can run now:
- Do you have both local and cloud backups?
- When was your last tested restore?
- Does someone on-site know how to access your backups?
- Is your network gear plugged into a UPS?
- Do you have an LTE hotspot or internet failover option?
- Do you have a backup communication plan for phone/email disruptions?
If you’re unsure on even one, it’s time to schedule a review.
How We Help Clinics Stay Storm-Proof
At Computer Solutions, we specialize in veterinary data backup and recovery for practices across the US. We build hybrid systems that work with your existing tech stack; Cornerstone, AVImark, cloud PIMS, and beyond.
We also help you create step-by-step emergency checklists so your team can respond confidently, even on a busy day or skeleton crew.
Call 609.514.0100 or visit welinku.com to schedule a winter-readiness review.
Let’s make sure your clinic can weather any storm, digital or otherwise.
Want to learn more about veterinary IT and cybersecurity? Check out last week’s blog post here or subscribe to our newsletter here!
Discover more from Computer Solutions
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
