Going to the Vet during Coronavirus

This afternoon I have to take His Highness (our Pitbull: Groot) to the veterinarian for his annual shots and heartworm test. They have asked me to call once I am in the parking lot and they will come to the car and get him and then call me when it's time to pick him up, which is fabulous! Honestly I'm surprised that they haven't been shut down yet, but it could still be coming down the road cuz they've shut down my allergy doc and my physical therapist already here.

What I'm wondering is how other veterinarians are handling all of this. Have any of you had to bring your pets to the vet during this time? And what sorts of systems do they have in place?

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

I haven't had to take any of the kids to the vet yet, but they're indoor kitties, so the odds of any of them having to go right now are low. The one most likely to need it is our senior baby, but she's in good health at the moment.

My physical therapy has not yet been cancelled as it's considered an essential medical need although since I've reached the threshold of being considered recovered to day to day function, and now I"m working on restoring full range of motion toward restoring athletic function, I may be moved to telesession soon. For now, I continue to go on in twice a week.

a reply to: ketsuko

I am hoping they will re-open (physical therapy) next week as they are in the process of trying to get "essential" status. I've been going twice a week as well. In the meantime I am continuing the exercises I can do at home so hopefully wont have to start all over again.

Keep those kitties safe!

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

The veterinary clinic I work at is doing the same. No clients in the building except euthanasias and aggressive pets.

a reply to: BlancheDevereaux

That makes me glad!

It's funny (not) that at least some veterinarians offices are taking more distancing precautions than even the grocery stores are.

Same here.
Call in advance.
Drive there, call again to say you have arrived.
I’m my case I just needed to re-up a couple of meds for the pups. They brought meds out and dropped into the car.
She was wearing a mask.

But I watched as they picked up pets from other cars.

Works out well and is a good model for other stores that are deemed essential.

Same here. My wife did a carpark dog transfer to the vet the other day. All a bit surreal. In the UK vets will not close due to the animal welfare angle - i.e. it would be cruel to refuse an ill animal. Certainly, farm vets are active.

Bit different to China where I hear the authorities exterminated household pets. Ignorance.

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

We will. They're about 6 months old, and we're still discovering things about them.



This morning, we learned that Shazam is a chatterer.

Well, there is one sad note to all this, with the vet.
A fellow I work with, had to put his dog down this week. She was 14, and was just ready.
But they did it, in the parking lot, in the back of his truck.
He said there were other people, in cars, in the parking lot, watching. And not a dry eye.

That would be hard to watch, having been through it so many times. I would want to hug the person. But I wouldn't be able to let my pet go it alone, inside.

Same here, our kittens are due for a final round of shots next week, and we're to call when we get there so they can come out and we pass the carrier off to them.

I doubt they're going to be closing the vets, our vet's office (both for the rabbit & cats, same office) has reassured everyone that they're golden because it's medical care, not grooming. The rabbit's vet said that even if they did force them to close & leave animals without medical care, they'd have to shoot him first to accomplish it. That's dedication to animal care there (and why we like these people so much)

a reply to: ketsuko

Lol, ours are 3 month old Siamese/Tabby mixes, the one with stronger Siamese genes is a shrill & sometimes incessant meower. The one with stronger Tabby genes is a chatterer, it's adorable. If he wants attention, he chatters for it. When he's really desperate, it comes out akin to a squeak

a reply to: GeauxHomeYoureDrunk

Yep had to take both of the dogs in for annual shots (rattlesnake, heartworm, distemper and kennel cough), and one for worms (which means they both have it). This, last week.

Pretty much the same; vet has you wait outside until they text or call you, then you bring your critters in. Smooth as silk actually.

Disclaimer: Our vet is also are large animal vet, so we kind of get VIP treatment with as much business as we do with them (not to mention they use our cattle facilities as a training facility for their interns because they are so safe...which wasn't cheap (for us)).

Overall, I'd say vets are far more interested in your animals than they are about the over-hyped virus. Obviously it's a concern, but the animals get top billing. They can't help it about what's going on, so they shouldn't suffer as a result.