Veterinary Visits During These Unprecedented Times

This year has been profound for many reasons, although one stands out among the rest; the Coronavirus pandemic, which exploded in early spring, has led to the end of modern-day economic stability. While responsibilities can sometimes be difficult to recognize, especially right now, it’s important to do what we can for ourselves and each other on a day to day basis. For practicing veterinarians and their clientele, it means there will be many changes in a place like:

• In face-to-face interactions
• Sanitation requirements
• Hospital procedures
• New appointment guidelines
• Overall safety measures

It is imperative to acknowledge why the following new protocols are so essential for you, your pet and your veterinarian. There are so many people involved in the healthcare system, and we all need to be careful with correct social distancing, protective gear, and sanitization to protect them.

When is the right time to take your pet to the vet?

The first step in making good decisions as a thoughtful pet owner is realizing whether a hospital visit is worthwhile. Below are a few things to think about when thinking about scheduling an appointment:

• If your animal isn’t facing pressing health issues, try not to demand an appointment. Many times, a simple call with your veterinarian can be enough to treat your pet for basic complications.
• Avoiding the hassle of an increasingly troublesome hospital visit is often safer and easier than the opposite.
• Monthly checkups and other non-vital procedures should be pushed to a later date, if possible. The more time we spend away from clogged waiting rooms and avoidable physical contact, the better.

Hospitals are or should be operating under strict sanitation rules. They may utilize different barrier systems or even a non-entry pickup process – where a technician comes out to the parking lot to retrieve your pet. Oftentimes, veterinary offices will request online forms and observed senior hour timeslots, too. Whatever specifications they call for, follow suit as best as possible and make sure you know what to expect. As long as you call ahead or make some efforts to comply, you’ll usually be okay.