05/14/2021
What has covid meant for veterinarian offices?
Since the start of Covid in 2020 we knew day to day life was changing. Places were closing, jobs were lost, working from home became the norm, and let’s not get started on the masks. The changes that happened to the veterinary field was unexpected and has taken many offices by storm. Initially it was thought that many offices would be forced to treat emergencies only, but as weeks turned to months this was obviously not feasible. Business resumed to as normal as covid would allow. Supplies often hard to find as basic needs for gloves, cleaning supplies and other PPE are being sent to many human hospitals over veterinarian hospitals. Almost all offices went to curbside services only to avoid the face-to-face exposure between staff and owners. Communication to clients was lengthened due to phone calls being required for pet histories, concerns, diagnostic reviews, recommendations, reports, checking out, medication instructions and much more. As we crept along with curbside services, we suddenly saw a huge influx in pets needing to be seen. Pets we hadn’t seen in years, new pets, old pets, young pets and pets with chronic conditions owners previously had not noticed. The more owners at home the more pets being watched closer resulting in more veterinary needs. Many offices went from being available same day or within 24 hours to being booked weeks or even months out at a time! We know this can get frustrating as a pet owner because, what are you supposed to do if your pet has an ear infection and your vet office is booked? Our personal office is booked up and often double booked trying to see everyone’s pet in a timely fashion. The solution would seem simple, right? Hire more veterinarians and more staff. The honest truth is, there is a shortage on good veterinarians and experienced staff to hire.
We know when it comes to our pet’s health emotions can run high. Please be patient and kind to our staff as they are working hard every day trying to ensure all our patients needs are met. Many of our veterinarians are working at home on their days off to call clients with lab work reports, staying at the office for 12-hour days and much more. Our technicians often work well past their scheduled times, are juggling multiple patients at once and running in and out of the hospital to get pets from cars or bringing pets back to their family. Our receptionists are juggling checking people out over the phone, trying to find room on the schedule for more pets to be seen and the endless phone calls during the day. We appreciate all your support through this pandemic and we certainly hope you and your family are staying safe as well. Please remember to schedule your pets follows ups, vaccines, and other needs your pet may have as far in advanced as possible. If your pet is seen scratching at their ear a little, or coughed once or twice call and schedule the appointment before it gets worse. We would rather you cancel a few days later because your pet is better than call us with an urgent condition that needs to be seen ASAP. If your pet is experiencing an emergency and you are sent away to another clinic, please understand it is not because we don’t want to help, but rather we truly do not have the staffing, supplies or time to properly provide treatment for your pet.
Hug your pets today and please thank your veterinarian and their staff, they are likely all exhausted.
