Clinton Street Veterinary Clinic Winter Newsletter 2020

As we write this newsletter the world is in the grip of a viral pandemic the likes that have not been seen since The Spanish Flu of 1918.  Australia has managed to dodge the worse of the pandemic, especially in comparison to some other countries. We as a society are embracing physical distancing as the new normal.  

We would like to start this newsletter by thanking all of our clients as they have adapted to the changes we have made to help us do our part with social distancing.

This newsletter will highlight the changes that the Clinton Street Veterinary Clinic will continue to implement during the Coronavirus pandemic.


We have instituted appointments for attendances at the clinic, please telephone for an appointment these will be arranged at 15 minute intervals, please arrive just before the appointment time.


We will not be seeing walk ins while the COVID -19 pandemic continues.

We understand that many of our clients are used to arriving for consultations between 9-11am and 4-6pm during the week, however in the interests of reducing congregation points we have decided to implement appointments. IF you attend the clinic expecting a walk in consultation, we will ask you to stay in the car and our staff will make an appointment for the first available time. Please stay in your car until staff come to get you or call you.

 

  • Please keep the recommended distance of 1.5 meters from the staff and other clients if present.
  • Hand sanitisers are available at the front counter and throughout the clinic, please use it on entering the clinic.
  • Please call to organise picking up medication for your pet instead of walking in to the front counter. We will endeavour to have the medication ready for pick up to minimise client numbers in the clinic. We are also happy to supply or order in longer prescriptions for your pets to minimise visits in the near future.
  • If you are unwell or self isolating, please do not come to the clinic. Instead please call and we will do our best to accommodate.
  • We will continue apply disinfectants to high traffic areas of the hospital including the front counter and door handles.


Are pets involved in the spread of COVID-19?

Throughout the pandemic there has been a range of reports of animals also being infected with COVID-19 however as of June 2020 the general consensus from different veterinary and government groups is that animals do not play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID -19.

There have been international reports of pet cats and dogs testing positive to COVID -19 and almost all of these cases have been linked back to the pet’s owner or family member that was initially infected with COVID-19. There are even reported cases of lions and tigers at New York Zoo testing positive for COVID-19, however again these animals are likely to have contracted the virus from a zoo employee who was infected with SARS CoV2. As of writing this newsletter the COVID-19 disease has not been reported in domestic animals (pets or livestock) or wildlife.

The World Organisation for Animal Health has confirmed that there continues to be no evidence that companion animals have spread the disease, or play a significant role in this human disease. Human outbreaks are being driven by person to person spread.

The current spread of the virus is due to transmission between people, not through contact with domestic animals. Testing animals is currently not a priority in accordance with the latest scientific information.

Key points of advice from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association are:

 

  • Keep your companion animals with you if you are self quarantined.
  • Maintain good hygiene practices, including washing your hands when interacting with your pets.
  • Arrange for the care of any animals left at home with family or friends should you be hospitalized.
  • If you are infected with COVID -19 then you should minimize close contact with your animals as a precaution e.g. reduce face to face contact, sharing food and avoiding pets sleeping on your bed.

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/coronavirus/animals

https://wsava.org/news/highlighted-news/the-new-coronavirus-and-companion-animals-advice-for-wsava-members/

 

Get well soon Karen

Our head nurse, Karen, will be on medical rest for the rest of winter as she recovers from hand and shoulder surgeries. We hope that she is feeling better soon and that she enjoys some nice relaxing recovery time.

Joke Corner

What do you call a baby bear with no teeth?

A gummy bear

Where do sheep go on holidays?

The baaahamas
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