The Gloucester Veterinary Hospital will be continuing to provide essential services during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of April 3 2020, the Province of Ontario has issued the following directive: Veterinary services are still considered essential, so veterinary practices may remain open. However practices are to offer “urgent care only.” This includes both medical needs and necessary preventative health care that, in the best interest of your pet, should not be delayed.

In order to protect our clients, staff and patients, certain safety protocols have been put in place to ensure that social distancing will always be maintained. We are now operating under a locked door policy. Clients are asked to please call the office first to arrange for any of our services. Medication renewals and food orders are available by curbside pickup. Payment is arranged over the phone and when you arrive a staff member will bring your items outside and leave them a safe distance from your vehicle. For clients bringing patients into the clinic, our protocols always allow you to safely transfer your pet to our staff and proceed to a consultation with one of our Veterinarians. Effective social distancing will always be maintained. In some cases, consultations can be done remotely, and we are offering telemedicine by video conferencing. This allows our Veterinarians to assess the needs of your Pet and determine if a treatment can be prescribed or safe admission to hospital if further testing is required.

Please call our office if you have questions about your Pets health care. Please note that we have temporarily changed our hours. They will return to normal once this current crisis is over. We appreciate the understanding of our clients as we strive to care for the needs of our patients.

 

Vaccination Information:

For Pet owners whose Pet’s are due for vaccines wondering if they can delay until there is less risk from Covid-19, here are some guidelines:

First and foremost, if you can reduce or eliminate the risk of your Pet coming into contact with the disease in question, then delay your visit. The information below is provided to help you make an informed decision. Most viral vaccines can likely be delayed. More consideration should be given to bacterial vaccines (dogs only) and Rabies.

Viral Vaccines:

DHPP, FVRCP, Leukemia – These have good longevity and delays of several weeks (or even months) should have little impact. There is no need to be on time and they can wait until this crisis has passed.

            Rabies – While the Health Department does consider Rabies to be a mandatory vaccine, in the interest of public safety during the Covid-19 crisis, Veterinary specialists agree that, for previously vaccinated animals, some delay in Rabies vaccination is likely acceptable. Rabies vaccination should be given to animals that have not been previously vaccinated and those who received their first Rabies vaccine a year ago and are now due.

Bacterial Vaccines:

            Leptospirosis, Lyme– protection does not extend beyond 1 year (assuming 2 properly timed boosters to start and annual vaccination thereafter). If vaccination is delayed the patient is considered unprotected starting one year after it was last given. If you can eliminate the risk to your pet by being selective where you go for walks, these vaccines can be delayed. Pets at risk should keep these vaccines up to date. In the event the vaccine is delayed more than 6 months past the “due date”, the series of two properly timed vaccines will need to be repeated to resume protection.

            Bordetella– protection does not extend beyond 1 year but a single nasal vaccine will last one year. For dogs receiving injectable Bordetella, the annual vaccine would again need to be given within 6 months of the due date to avoid starting the series again. Bordetella can be delayed if your pet is not at risk at this time.

For unvaccinated puppies and kittens that are being kept isolated and therefore at minimal risk, the vaccine series can wait and start when the Rabies vaccine is due (both can be delayed until 4 months of age as long as risk of exposure is minimized).

 

For those patients that do require vaccination, an appointment can be made and we will ensure that all currently due vaccines are brought up to date.