Photo courtesy Cypress View Vet Clinic Facebook page

By Chantal Wagner

COVID precautions

Veterinary service continues with physical distancing measures

Mar 31, 2020 | 5:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Local veterinary clinics have amped up their physical distancing policies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And still, continue to offer urgent and emergency appointments.

But everything is done with no clients in the clinic policy.

Registered veterinary technician with Cypress View Vet Clinic Marena Goehring says if doctors can diagnose and prescribe over the phone that’s their first option.

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Clients are then asked to phone in their vehicle when they are in the parking lot for the appointment.

“The technician will then go out to the car, pick up the pet, brings it in for the exam. And then the doctor follows up with the client while they’re in the parking lot via telephone,” Goehring said.

She adds the provincial government deemed veterinary services as essential.

“This means we can continue to offer urgent and emergency care. But we have really cut back on wellness exams, routine vaccinations, surgeries, things like that, that can wait for a month or two while we just let this thing settle down for a bit.”

Clients have been emailing pictures or videos of their pets to help with the diagnoses.

Goehring adds clients have been understanding with this new temporary policy.

Clients are also being screened under the COVID-19 assessment before pet appointments.