Some veterinary clinics in Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough report a lack of medicines and medical equipment.
Sherry Nielsen, office manager at Kawartha Lakes Animal Hospital, said it was difficult because animals need the same medical equipment as humans.
“We are fighting for a lot of the same medical devices that human medicine needs, such as needles, syringes and gloves, and it has been and continues to be a challenge all along,” said Nielsen. “Many of the drugs are also used in human medicine.”
Jody Marshall, a registered veterinary technician and hospital manager at Omemee Veterinary Hospital, said they are also seeing increases in supply and demand for prescription diets and medications.
She said there were times when she couldn’t get one of her essential medicines from her pharmacy.
“When I asked them, they said the manufacturing facility that processed the drugs had COVID-positive workers added and they had to close the factory,” she said.
“We even see reorders with a lot of our groceries. And when we interview our reps, they say it’s harder to source some of these high quality ingredients. “
Another reason for the food shortage is the number of puppies and kittens purchased during the period of the pandemic, Nielsen said.
“And then the border problems and the loss of personnel to COVID. For one reason or another, we are losing all employees due to COVID. If someone sniffs, he’s out, ”she said.
This has been a challenge due to the influx of new customers over the past year and staff shortage, added Nielsen.
“People who have pets, who don’t always go to a vet and now have medical emergencies, get mad at us because we can’t fit them in,” she said.
Marshall said the owner of her practice is still taking in new patients as well as clients from other veterinary clinics who can’t get appointments elsewhere.
“But it puts more strain on our team because we don’t have lunch or stay later,” she said. “It definitely adds stress to the environment around our practice, but we don’t want an animal to walk without care.”
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Marshall would like to remind individuals that the Kawartha Veterinary Emergency Clinic is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It is located in 1840 Lansdowne St. W. in Peterborough.
