For the next few weeks or months, our world has changed as we fight the spread of COVID-19. Veterinary medicine has been declared an essential service, but we have changed the face of its delivery to you and your pet. If a member of a veterinary practice were to become ill with COVID-19, the practice will be forced to close so most practices have set in place social-distancing steps to protect us all and our ability to provide veterinary care. We are following many of the recommendations of our provincial professional associations.
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment, many elective procedures are being postponed. These surgeries may include spaying and neutering dogs and dental procedures on pets with only mild disease. Some practices are continuing cat spays and neuters because of the strong behaviours that many cats engage to find a mate. Puppy and kitten vaccinations are continuing but annual wellness examinations may be postponed. Clients with current veterinary patient client relationships with practices will find many of their needs may be dealt with through telemedicine. Veterinarians must use their professional judgement on a case by case basis and be able to justify decisions to their professional associations. Heartworm, flea and tick preventatives, food and medication refills are available.
Many practices have reduced hours and appointments are being made as staff are available. Doors are locked at most practices. Upon arrival clients phone the reception desk, food and medication to be picked up will be brought outside to clients, and payment will be made electronically. Clients with appointments are being asked to remain in their cars until the examination room is ready, so no one is in waiting rooms. Practices that still allow a client to accompany a pet into an examination room may limit this to one individual with the veterinarian in the closed space. This applies only to clients that are not considered high risk. A strict protocol is in place for pets of high-risk clients that need care.
In the case of many practices, especially emergency clinics, the pet will be taken from the car with a leash provided by the facility or in the crate or carrier. Clients will be asked to stay in the vehicle while the pet is examined and all consultations with the client will be remote by phone or computer. Many house call practices have discontinued service completely or go only to established clients.
I chose to become a small animal general practitioner because of a love of animals. I enjoyed sharing that human-animal bond with my clients, with over thirty years of practice. This is not how I want to practice but we all must come together “at a distance” to get through this crisis. While your veterinarian and their staff members must put many procedures in place to protect us all, we have not lost sight that these are, for many of us, our furry family members and some of the social distancing steps we are asking our clients to take are incredibly emotionally painful.
Dr. Jennifer L. Scott B.Sc., D.V.M.
