The clinic keeps pet owners out of the exam room but is still in contact.
March 20, 2020, 12:13 a.m.
8 min read
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Amid restaurant closings and restrictions on nursing homes, veterinary practices are also feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Maryland clinic is taking steps to slow the spread of the virus by offering its customers roadside check-in to keep both their employees and their human customers safe and healthy.
“There’s no way to see a dog (or cat) from your home,” said Laila Bolsteins, a vet technician at Laytonsville vet office in Montgomery County, Maryland.
“The best we can do is see the animal without the people around, just to reduce some of the human contact,” she said.
Maryland is the vet at Laytonsville Vet’s office in Montgomery County, escorting a dog to the clinic after taking the puppy from its owner outside of the building to help reduce cross-contamination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The clinic rolled out the new protocol on Tuesday, instructing its customers to call or text them when they arrive. Veterinary staff then meet the pet owner at his car and bring the animal inside, where, as Bolsteins said, the appointment continues as usual.
Well, almost normal.
“Hi?” asked Dr. Claire Godwin when she started examining a small black and white schnauzer on her exam table.
“Hi!” answered a deep, scratchy voice from a cell phone speaker a few inches away. The voice belonged to Donald Mowbray, who was sitting in his silver limousine just outside the building.
“Hello Mr. Mowbray, how are you?” asked Dr. Goodwin when she started examining the dog’s ears and teeth.
“Good Dr. Godwin. It’s good to hear from you, ”Mowbray answered on the phone.
Izzy, a 9-year-old rescued schnauzer, is treated at a veterinary clinic in Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The veterinary clinic is taking precautions to protect both staff and human customers by checking in the curb of the animals.
Bolsteins said pet owners talking to doctors while they wait outside will keep them updated during the exam, which makes them feel like they are in the room with their pet.
“[They] They can talk about any problems they might have or why they are here about the appointment … as well as thoughts after the appointment, when they need to top up medication, or when other appointments are scheduled, ”said Bolsteins.
Mowbray, who is at higher risk of developing COVID-19 at age 82, said he was impressed that the vet practice is working hard to keep him safe.
And because “we are not at the doctor,” said Mowbray, employees can protect themselves.
Signs on the door of the Laytonsville, Maryland veterinary office notify pet owners of new protocols currently in use at the clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials from the Centers for Disease Control said they had not received reports of pets or other animals contracting the COVID-19 virus, but warned that further research was needed to understand how animals are affected could be.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has published guidelines for pet owners who have contracted the virus.
“As a precaution, it is recommended that COVID-19 sufferers limit contact with animals until further information about the virus is known,” the AVMA published on its website. “Let another member of your household take care of the going.” , feed and play with your pet. If you have a service animal or need to look after your pet, wear a face mask. Don’t share food, kiss or hug her; and wash your hands before and after every contact with them. “
To keep themselves and their furry customers safe, Maryland Clinic staff are taking steps to limit cross-contamination. But just like doctors and nurses who treat people, employees there run into problems with device supply.
“We’re trying to be a lot less wasteful and at the same time be careful not to spread germs,” said Bolsteins. “So we tried to swap out the sprays we used like bleach and then special detergents for the cages.”
“And we’re trying to waste a little less masks on people. We try to label them, write our name on them so we can keep our own little personal supply of things that are safe to use, “she added.” It was just something to keep in mind that we don’t do. I don’t necessarily have an unlimited amount of resources like we’ve had in the past. “
A dog sniffs a camera lens while waiting to be taken to a vet office in Maryland amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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