Vets remain available to care for pets who may be sick
A group of local vets in County Wicklow has issued a joint statement to reassure local pet owners that the veterinary profession is ready and available to treat pets that need veterinary care. They are included in the latest list of essential services provided by the government.
‘Vets understand infectious diseases more than most people, and we are familiar with taking serious precautions to prevent viral contamination and spread,’ they said in the statement.
‘Vet clinics in Ireland have rapidly changed how we function on a day to day basis due to Covid-19.
‘We still need to look after pets so that they remain healthy throughout this crisis, but we need to do this in a way that also protects humans from any spread of the virus.’
Measures taken vary from clinic to clinic, but all involve high levels of use of disinfection and hand cleaning, reduced contact between humans, and more use of mobile phone communications and contactless payments.
People are asked to contact their local vet if their pets fall ill.
‘It’s important to stress that pets are not vulnerable to CoVid-19, and people who are avoiding social contact can still spend time with their pets.
‘Animals can be a welcome and refreshing reminder of normal life at a time when the rest of our routines have been severely disrupted,’ read the statement.
‘Anyone who is suffering from signs of illness (such as high temperature, cough, etc) should avoid direct contact with their pets at this time: while pets cannot fall ill due to Covid-19, droplets from an infected person that land on a pet’s coat could be passed on to someone else if they then touch the pet, and put their hand to their own face. Sensible hygiene should always apply around pets.’
The group of local vets have agreed contingency plans so that if any vet clinic needs to close for a period of time, then the others will be there to look after the pets that normally attend that clinic, including the provision of important ongoing medication for chronic illnesses.
Bray-based vet Pete Wedderburn said that the vets are all in agreement firstly that animals should not have to suffer.
He said that their second worry is the health of the staff, and they have measures in place to protect them, as well as the public.
He said that there are hand sanitisers in place, tape around the reception areas, and in some cases masks.
He said that it would also be possible, if necessary, for someone to come out and get the animal from the car, and them bring them back to their owner. ‘ There is no need for anyone not to have their pet treated,’ said Pete.
‘We are very familiar with dealing with highly infectious agents, as often animals can have highly infectious diseases,’ he said.
He added that some of the equipment utilised by vets can be used for humans, such as ventilators, and in some areas globally vets are being asked for the use of such equipment.