COVID 19 UPDATED PROTOCOLS

Conditions and protocols associated with the Covid 19 pandemic are constantly changing. Last week Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, instituted a Stay at Home proclamation. Veterinary services were deemed to be an essential business. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association have issued guidelines for the conduct of veterinary facilities during this period.

We have been asked to limit our in-person patient care to acutely ill animals and/or emergencies. All elective and non-urgent surgical procedures are to be rescheduled. These steps are being taken for the following reasons:

1. Protect our clients and our staff. By limiting services, we can help to maintain social spacing as required by the CDC and public health department
2. Maintain restrictions on the number of persons in any one room.
3. We have been asked to minimize our use of personal protection equipment and medical supplies. The availability of these items is limited and need to be prioritized for individuals that are at risk in the public healthcare sector.

In order to comply with these guidelines, we have taken the following measures:

1. We have limited the number of appointments available throughout the day. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we are trying to prioritize our schedule to accommodate patients with more critical needs.
2. We are limiting our technician appointments to suture removal, administration of chronic medications, and bandage or splint reapplications.
3. Surgical and dental procedures will be limited to cases of an urgent or emergency condition. A procedure or surgery will be scheduled if delay in the procedure or surgery would put the patient at risk of irreversible harm.
4. Client access to the facility will be limited to dropping off pets at the front door of the hospital or we will send a technician to the vehicle to bring them into the hospital.
5. Examinations will be performed by the doctor, and they will contact you by phone for further history and recommendations for treatment.
6. If access to the clinic is required, we will use our examination room that has outside access. We will limit the number of clients in the room to one individual unless otherwise approved by the office manager or doctor.
7. We are stressing to our staff to stay home if they are not feeling well.

We ask that our clients please follow the following instructions:

1. Please call ahead if you need your pet to be seen. This will allow us to prepare for your arrival and schedule clients to minimize the number of clients at the hospital at any one time.
2. To pick up prescriptions or special diets, please call us when you arrive, and we will deliver your food or prescription to your vehicle.
3. If you are not feeling well, please send your pet with a healthy friend or family member.