LETTER TO OUR CUSTOMERS
We are in very unsettling times where our lives are so different to the way we once knew them. For some of us having our pets by our side is one of the few constants we have. For people living alone they may be the only thing that can give physical comfort. It is also a time where some of us can spend more time with our pets and build an even stronger bond of friendship. For farmers and crofters it is a very busy time of year with lambings and calvings and they may find they need their vet more than they do at any other time of the year.
We want to reassure you that while we must change the way that we look after the pets, horses and farm animals across Lochaber we are still here to help. Human health is paramount in this situation and we have had to institute protocols in order to support the government’s strategy regarding social distancing. This means that we cannot offer all the services we normally would but we are trying to provide as many other solutions as we can. We urge you that if there is anything at all you are concerned about regarding your animal’s health please phone. We have been urged by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons that we must only see emergencies at the practice. However we have special new rules for this time period only whereby we may dispense, where appropriate, some prescription drugs after a video consultation. After we receive a call regarding a sick pet, unless it appears to be an immediate life threatening emergency, we will book a video consultation with a vet. The vet may decide to dispense a medication based on the video consulation or may decide that you should bring your pet to the surgery.
Unfortunately all vaccines and neuterings are cancelled for now. Annual boosters can go overdue by three months and still be considered to put pets at a very low risk. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon guidelines at the moment are to only vaccinate puppies if they are in a very high risk area where outbreak of life threatening disease could occur if vast numbers are left unvaccinated. We are not in a high risk area therefore unfortunately we cannot warrant vaccinating puppies.
However we urge you, if you have a puppy, to call us to arrange for a nurse to give you health advice on other aspects of having a young puppy. Otherwise we recommend that you keep your puppy in the confines of your own garden but try to introduce it to the sights and sounds of the streets etc in other ways if possible. You might have to get creative! Kittens should be kept inside until we are able to vaccinate and neuter. Bear in mind that the advice we receive as to whether we can start vaccinating again could change at any time so please telephone us or watch our facebook for up to date information.
We are able to arrange to dispense medications for pets on long-term drugs as usual and also flea/tick/wormers. Please give us at least three days to prepare these as we are receiving a high call volume in this regard and we have had to reduce staff in order to follow government guidelines on social distancing. We are able to arrange pick up of drugs or can post out. We can also order food as usual for pick up.
We are operating a locked door system as are many businesses. Please always call ahead so we can arrange when is the best time for you to come then phone on arrival so that we can open the door. We won’t be able to allow clients into the building but if you are picking up medications we can then leave outside for you and take payment over the phone with a card. If we ask you to bring your pet then we have procedures where we will collect him/her at the door and take inside for examination. If in the sad event that your pet needs to be euthanased we have a special arrangement where the procedure can be performed out at your car and continuing to maintain appropriate social distance. We know how difficult it could be to be separated from your pet in those final moments.
Routine equine work is not possible at the moment but we are still able to attend sick horses. We can still do most farm animal work provided two metres distance is maintained. This is because the government has stipulated that it is paramount that the human food chain is not interrupted.
We do not know how long we will have to maintain these rules but please follow us on Facebook to see any new changes. We hope, during this time, that if you have any queries at all that you call us as normal to discuss. We have slightly adjusted our routine opening hours for the time being.
9am-4pm Monday to Friday 9am-12noon Saturday
Out of hours emergency available as usual.
Looking forward to seeing all your puppies and kittens at the end of all of this! In the mean time enjoy exercising your dogs and spending time at home with your pets. Best Wishes All the Team at Crown Vets Fort William