Any vets’ off ices open during pandemic, with restrictions

Q: Are all veterinary clinics closed because of the pandemic? I can’t get ahold of our veterinarian’s office by phone and I’m wondering what we’re going to do about medications and emergencies.

A: For the most part, veterinary clinics and pet ERs are open for business. Because we’re classified as healthcare concerns, we’re considered “essential” and are therefore allowed to remain open. But that doesn’t mean that all are. In fact, very few are operating as they normally would.

Some have pared down their operating hours or are closing their doors temporarily as a result of their unique circumstances. For example, many clinics that classify themselves as “wellness” centers, where preventative care and elective procedures are their primary purpose, have temporarily closed.

Smaller veterinary clinics may be closed because key employees are uncomfortable coming to work or because a staff member is ill. Veterinarians understand the behavior of infectious diseases better than most and we know that in a high-risk scenario shuttering is always the smartest option.

Because we understand that your pets’ health is crucial to your well-being, too, most of us have elected to stay open. But it’s by no means “business as usual.” Here’s what many of us are doing to help halt the spread of COVID-19:

We’re putting severe restrictions on how pet owners navigate through the hospital. Pet owners are being asked to stay outside or in their vehicles until the doctor is ready to see their pet. Only then is the pet owner allowed to enter the building and proceed directly to the exam room.

In many cases, however, the pet owner is being asked to leave the pet at the door. Some are picking pets up at their owner’s vehicle directly.

Depending on the volume of patients, pet owners may be asked to leave their pet for a few hours or expect to wait in their cars for a prolonged period of time until pets can be seen. (This is most common at emergency facilities or specialist’s offices.)

Pet parents may then interact with veterinarians by telephone or video conferencing, with a few exceptions. For example, our clinic still allows asymptomatic owners to attend euthanasia services. (It seems unduly cruel not to.)

Every veterinary facility will be offering a variation on these procedures. We’re all abiding by the CDC’s disease prevention recommendations including sanitation, self-quarantine and social distancing.

It may seem impersonal but please understand that we do this for everyone’s safety. After all, if we don’t stay healthy we can’t be here for your pets.

Dr. Patty Khuly has a veterinary practice at Sunset Animal Clinic in South Miami. Her website is drpattykhuly.com. Send questions to khulyp@bellsouth.net.