Vetcove Integration is currently in Closed Beta.
Purpose
The Vetcove Integration connects Shepherd with the Vetcove ordering platform to reduce the need to switch between systems. By linking inventory items and syncing orders automatically, practices can streamline purchasing while keeping inventory accurate in Shepherd.
We've partnered with Vetcove to integrate the ordering experience within Shepherd's workflow. The integration aims to reduce the steps to navigate between two systems, saving you valuable time.
Integration Overview
With the Vetcove integration connected to Shepherd, you can:
Link Shepherd inventory items to Vetcove lists for easier ordering
Sync on-hand quantities and reorder points to Vetcove
Automatically create Shepherd purchase orders from orders placed in Vetcove
Receive items quickly upon arrival using standard Shepherd workflows
Before You Start
To use this integration, you’ll need:
An active Vetcove account
Inventory items created and active in Shepherd
Activating the Vetcove Integration
Enable the Integration in Shepherd
This integration is currently in closed beta. If you don't see the integration tile, contact Shepherd Support via the in-app chat to request to join.
Navigate to Admin → Integrations → Vetcove
Select Connect with Vetcove
You’ll be redirected to Vetcove to enter your username and password
After confirming, you’ll return to Shepherd and see the integration marked as Enabled
To confirm the connection from Vetcove:
In Vetcove, go to Orders → PIMS Integration → Connect
Linking Shepherd Items to Vetcove
Once your inventory items are created in Shepherd, you can sync them to Vetcove.
In Shepherd, navigate to Admin → Inventory → Purchase Orders
Select Sync Inventory with Vetcove
All active Shepherd inventory items will appear in your Vetcove account.
If an inventory item is inactivated in Shepherd, it will be removed from Vetcove the next time a sync is run - either during the automatic sync (every 6 hours) or by manually clicking Sync Inventory with Vetcove.
Linking Items in Vetcove
Vetcove supports two methods for linking items to Shepherd.
Method 1: Link Items from the Shopping Cart
Open the Shopping Cart in Vetcove
Select PIMS Link: None on an item that needs linking
Search for the appropriate Shepherd inventory item and select Link
Choose the unit of measure used in Shepherd and select Update
Once linked, the Shepherd item will display in the cart.
Method 2: Link Items from the PIMS Integration Page
In Vetcove, go to Orders → PIMS Integrations
Select Products and filter by Unlinked Items
Search for an item and select Link
Choose the appropriate unit of measure and select Update
Hiding Items in Vetcove
If you do not want to link certain items, you can hide them in Vetcove.
To hide an item
Go to Orders → PIMS Integration → Products
Select the Actions button next to the item
Choose Hide this Item
Hidden items are moved to the Hidden Items folder and will not appear in lists or critical shortage views.
To restore a hidden item
Open the Hidden Items folder
Select Actions next to the item
Choose Show this Item
Shopping and Placing Orders in Vetcove
Once items are linked, you can shop and place orders as usual in Vetcove.
Build carts from your Lists page
Select suppliers and quantities
Proceed to checkout using the shopping cart
Orders placed in Vetcove automatically create a purchase order in Shepherd.
If items on the order are not yet linked, you’ll be prompted to link them to existing Shepherd items or create new inventory items before receiving.
Inventory Syncing
Shepherd inventory syncs to Vetcove automatically every 6 hours.
To trigger a manual sync:
Open an inventory item in Shepherd
Select Sync Inventory with Vetcove
After syncing, you can review linked items in Vetcove to confirm accuracy.
Disabling the Integration
To disable the integration:
Contact Vetcove via Live Chat for assistance
Improperly disabling the integration after items are linked may result in purchase order receiving issues that require manual correction.
In Shepherd, credentials can be removed from: Admin → Integrations → Vetcove
Need Help?
Contact Vetcove Support:
Live Chat: available via the blue icon in your Vetcove account
Email: support@vetcove.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I inactivate an inventory item or product code?
If an inventory item is still linked in Vetcove, it must remain active because it can still be ordered from the Vetcove side. Unlink the item in Vetcove before attempting to inactivate it in Shepherd. Similarly, if a Shepherd product code is linked to an inventory item that is still connected to Vetcove, the product code cannot be inactivated until the link is removed.
I disabled the integration but still see associations or receiving errors
Open any affected inventory items in Shepherd and select Save. No changes are required. This forces Shepherd to reapply the updated integration state.
Can I manually add Vetcove-linked items to a purchase order for another vendor?
No. Inventory items linked to Vetcove must be ordered through the Vetcove integration. Adding them manually to a purchase order for a different vendor is not supported and may cause receiving errors.
To resolve this, unlink the item from Vetcove.
I have a Vetcove order in Shepherd but items aren’t linked. How do I fix this?
On the purchase order in Shepherd, select the link icon next to each unlinked item. You’ll be prompted to map the item to an existing Shepherd inventory item or create a new one.