We’re here for you and your animals
RAPID spread of Covid-19 has prompted further Government advice regarding strictly limiting contact between people to protect everyone, ensure NHS resources are available for everyone who needs them, and that we have enough healthcare professionals available to care for those affected with this and any other illness or injury.
Veterinary practices have a huge responsibility to protect animal health and welfare and support the farming sector in keeping delivering food to the nation whilst safeguarding public health and under guidance from our professional governing bodies we must act responsibly to prioritise services and maintain this difficult balance.
We must now stop accepting patients for routine healthcare such as boosters, nail clips, and neutering for the time being, as these procedures do not justify the current risks placed on you, our loyal and valued clients, or our staff. We will be here for you as soon as it is safe to resume and we, like you, are looking forward to that day.
We WILL be here for urgent and emergency small animal cases, but we must ask you to telephone the practice before attending at any time. Your pet’s problem will be triaged and it is likely that in some cases we can advise you and prescribe treatment over the telephone and with the help of photographs or videos due to relaxations in prescribing law that have been temporarily made, to avoid unnecessary travel and contact.
If your pet needs urgent treatment, you will be asked to come to our dedicated Veterinary Hospital at Somerset Road where we have superb facilities and staff ready, 24/7. You will also be advised on biosecurity measures to follow on arrival, where it will be necessary to ask you to remain outside the building while we collect your pet and continue to talk to you by telephone as we examine and treat them.
We will continue to make sure your pets can receive repeat prescriptions of their medication and preventative healthcare medications such as flea and worm treatments. We may be able to post some to you, or arrange for you or a friend to collect them from Somerset Road, again following hygiene precautions by telephoning to let us know you have arrived and picking them up from the drop off point once staff have stepped away.
To avoid handling cash in line with safety advice, we ask you to pay by card other than in exceptional circumstances. This should be done in advance for repeat prescriptions over the telephone.
Farm animal work essential to the maintenance of the food chain will continue as normal with increased biosecurity precautions. Please do not be offended when our staff do not shake hands or enter your home and maintain a safe distance from others. Please make sure only one person is present when the vet arrives if at all possible, and if you are ill or self-isolating, please stay inside and ask someone else to be present and discuss by telephone with the vet if necessary. Routine procedures such as disbudding or Red Tractor visits must be postponed for now.
Equine routine procedures must also be postponed. If your horse is unwell or injured, telephone the surgery as normal to discuss the situation. If it is necessary, a vet will visit to treat your horse.
We all face a period of unprecedented challenge over the coming weeks, but the team at Donaldson’s Vets want to reassure you that we will continue to be here for you and your animals, and together we will keep our patients safe. We thank you for your continued understanding and the many kind messages of support which you have already sent.