February 2024 Update:
As a small business, we remain cautious about Covid, colds, and flus so that we can minimize staff absences and continue to operate at peak performance. We ask that sick people reschedule or ask for curbside service. Except for euthanasia visits, we limit people in the exam room to just the pet-owning adult.
March 14, 2020 Update
As veterinarians, we take our part in promoting public health seriously. It is part of The Veterinarian’s Oath that we all took upon being admitted to the profession. With the current COVID-19 pandemic on our doorstep, we would like to inform you of the following:
We have always considered cleaning and disinfecting our hospital a priority. In fact, for years we have had a dedicated staff member do nothing but clean 4-6 hrs on most work days. She routinely disinfects not just floors, walls and kennels, but doorknobs, counters, phones, computers, light switches, stethoscopes, otoscopes, scales- well you can see that we are on it.
We wash our hands after every exam and change clothes after contagious exposures.
We routinely offer staff to collect your pet to and from your car if, for any reason, that is helpful to you.
For years, during cold and flu season, we have asked clients to send a healthy friend or family member in with your pet, to decrease the spread of disease. Or to allow us to take care of your pet while you wait in your car.
Sick pets are kept in an isolation unit.
But even with all this being routine, we have to do even more to protect you, our staff, and our community with COVID-19 threatening all of us.
We ask that you call from the parking lot when you arrive for your appointment. If you have no cell phone, knock loudly on the door.
A staff member will check you in and take your pet’s history and your information by phone. If you are a new client, phoning ahead with this information will shorten your wait.
We ask you to allow us to examine your pet inside the hospital while you wait in your car or on our porch. If you have concerns about not being present for your pet’s exam, please let the receptionist know and we will do our best to alleviate your concerns or make any special arrangements to make you more comfortable.
The doctor will then call you by phone to discuss your pet’s exam and options for treatment if needed and to answer your questions.
A staff member will return your pet to you outside, complete paperwork, explain instructions and bring any needed medication.
If you need to pick up medication or food, please call ahead and we will use the same procedure as above.
For more information on COVID-19 please go to http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
Keep washing your hands. Use hand sanitizer. Practice social distancing by keeping 6-10 feet between you and the next person. Call ahead to see your doctor if you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath. Stay at home as much as possible, especially if you are sick. Do not go to places or events with even small crowds. Together we can all help.
For those of you concerned about human/animal transmission of COVID-19, here is what we know so far: A pet Pomeranian whose owner was ill with COVID-19 in China, tested weak positive by RT PCR testing in February, 2020. A housemate of this dog tested negative. Both dogs are isolated in a Hong Kong facility. Neither dog has become sick. Considering this information and more, in total, infectious disease experts and multiple human and animal health organizations agree that there is no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19 to other animals, including people. However, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more is known. If you are ill with COVID-19, tell your doctor that you have a pet in your home and have someone else care for your pet while you are ill. Don’t share food, dishes, hugs or kisses, and wash your hands. More information is available from the CDC.