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Visiting your veterinarian during COVID-19: what you need to know

 
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Veterinary teams are committed to protecting animal health and well-being, especially during this extraordinary time. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges that have impacted the delivery of service in all sectors, including veterinary medicine.

If you’re planning a visit to your veterinarian, be aware that your clinic may be operating differently than usual.

Veterinary clinics are implementing various ways of delivering health care for pets while keeping clients and veterinary staff safe. This could include curbside service, visitor screening, and restricting the number of people at appointments. For the smoothest service, follow your veterinary clinic’s guidelines. To find out what protocols your veterinary clinic has in place, visit its website, social media pages or enquire by email.

Due to a backlog of cases from earlier in the pandemic when veterinarians were restricted to providing urgent care only, and COVID-19 safety protocols that are in place, some clinics may also be experiencing longer than usual wait times for appointments. Keep in mind that veterinary teams are working diligently to see clients in a timely manner. To help with this, many clinics are using services such as telemedicine and are prioritizing urgent cases. Clients can contact their veterinarian to see what options are available and are asked to book appointments as far in advance as possible.

"Veterinarians across Ontario have risen to the challenges of the pandemic," says Dr. Albert Wimmers, OVMA president. "They are deeply committed to providing care to their patients, as well as creating a safe environment for their staff and clients."

As the pandemic continues to evolve, please be patient with your veterinary team as they work to deliver health care for pets while keeping everyone safe.

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Phone: 905.875.0756 / (toll free) 1.800.670.1702

Email: info@ovma.org

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