By Heather Nokes

What day is it? Those of us who have been at home for weeks on end are having trouble keeping track. But you know what we are doing? Spending more time with our pets! This means paying more attention to them, their behaviors, and their health. Luckily, veterinary clinics and hospitals are deemed essential businesses. As a seasoned veterinary assistant, this author (see photo) and her colleagues want pet owners to know a few things in this uncertain time.

Our hospitals are just as busy, if not more so, than usual: With people having more free time on their hands, they are able to bring their pet in for routine visits. This is fantastic! However, some veterinary clinics and hospitals are reducing their business hours to protect their staff from exposure. And those hospitals that are running at a normal capacity are filling appointments quickly. It is also important to keep in mind that most of us are doing telemedicine and curbside service which often take up more time than normal office procedures.

We WANT to see your pet… if they are sick: Because of the above listed adjustments, your veterinary hospital may be prioritizing sick visits. This means routine vaccinations and preventative care exams are being put off for weeks or even months.

We act different when you are not around: When we take your pet from you, we understand that it can be nerve-wracking for both you and your fur baby. We take this into account and tend to baby your pet more than you would expect behind closed doors. Not many jobs allow you to use baby talk and cuddles but your veterinary staff is well versed. We do this because we genuinely care for animals and always treat our patients like our very own pets.

At this point, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19: According to the CDC, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. CDC is working with human and animal health partners to monitor this situation and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

Of course, if you have concerns or questions about your pets in this uncertain time, your veterinary hospitals are more than happy to speak with you over the phone. And as always, in an emergency, take your pet to the nearest emergency clinic ASAP!