COVID-19 Protocols
What should I do when I arrive for my appointment?
When you arrive for a physical exam, sick visit, emergency visit, physical therapy, or if you are dropping off or picking up a pet you can proceed to enter the hospital through the sliding glass doors. You can proceed to check-in at the front desk.
*Starting February 10, 2022, masks are no longer required inside the building. If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms, you should reschedule your appointment.
If you love curbside, let us know! We are happy to keep any visits curbside. Just let the receptionist know when checking in.
You can come to the hospital for weight checks. These are available during the select times: Monday-Thursday 8 am-12 pm and 2 pm-7 pm, Friday 8 am-12 pm, 2 pm-6 pm, and Saturday 8 am-1 pm.
All dogs must be on a leash
All cats must be in a carrier
What is now opened in the hospital?
There will no longer be capacity restrictions in the hospital. We will not have limits on the number of people per pet visit.
There will no longer be mask mandates for vaccinated individuals. Per the CDC and New York State, non-vaccinated individuals are still required to wear their masks.
If you feel more comfortable wearing your mask, please do so!
There will no longer be social distancing guidelines. Clients are welcome to wait in our waiting room once again.
What should I do if I need to order and/or pick up food or medications?
If you need to order food or medication, there are 3 ways to do it!
- You can call the hospital to leave a message
- You can text us your food or medication refill order
- You can also download the PetDesk app and order your food or medication
ALL FOOD AND MEDICATIONS WILL BE READY FOR PICK UP IN 24 HOURS
ALL FOODS AND MEDICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED TO STOCK AFTER 10 BUSINESS DAYS
If you are ready to pick up your food or medications, please come to the front desk inside the hospital.
Pick-ups are only during “normal business hours”, which are Monday-Thursday 8 am-7 pm, Friday 8 am-6 pm, and Saturday 8 am-1 pm.
The phone system has been updated, What should I do when I call?
This past year we have experienced the highest call volume ever! In order to help alleviate that we have updated our phone systems. When you call you will need to listen to the menu options and select a number that corresponds to why you are calling.
What should I do if I am sick?
If you are sick, please stay home!
According to the CDC, the symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting or nausea, diarrhea, loss of taste, and smell. Symptoms show up 2-14 days of exposure. If you are displaying any of these symptoms, you should not bring leave your house- contact your doctor.
- If you are sick- please stay home and notify us if your pet is ill. Depending on your pet’s ailment, we may ask you to reschedule your appointment or to find someone who does not live in your household (that was not exposed to you) who can bring your pet in for their appointment.
- If you have been exposed to someone that is COVID-19 positive and your pet is ill, please notify us prior to bringing your pet in and we will arrange a curbside appointment.
- If someone in your household is COVID-19 positive, please notify us prior to bringing your pet in.
COVID-19 Pet Facts
Can I give my pet COVID-19?
- Although there have been a few cases of dogs and cats testing positive in the US for COVID-19, the AVMA, CDC, and other veterinary organizations still have a firm stance that it is a very low possibility this will occur.
- Chickens and Pigs – no
- Ferrets and cats – are susceptible, but very rare. Mild respiratory signs are all that have been seen in a few cases.
- Dogs – very rare. They are seen as a “dead-end host”. Meaning they are not able to pass it along to others.
- Pets do not play a role in the spread of COVID-19. USDA, CDC, AVMA, and others are not recommending pets be tested for COVID-19 at this time.
Can my pet give COVID-19 to me?
There is still no reason to believe that you can get COVID-19 from your pet. This is still just a human to human virus.
What if I am sick and own a pet?
The CDC and AVMA both recommend that you separate yourself from your pet if you are experiencing symptoms or have been confirmed positive with COVID-19. Although the risk of your pet contracting it from you is very rare, it is best not to change it. You should limit snuggling, petting, kissing, hugging, touching their food dishes, or being around them in general. If you do need to interact with them you should wear a mask or wear gloves. Wash your hand frequently. Wash their dishes frequently.
Should my pet wear a face mask in public?
No. Face masks may not protect your pet from the disease and may cause them to have difficulty breathing.
Should I make preparations for my pet if I become sick?
- Ensure your pet has proper identification. Their tags should be visible and able to read. Your address, name, and phone number should be up to date as well.
- Your pet’s microchip information should be current and up to date.
- You should designate a trusted caregiver (family member, friend, neighbor) if you become ill. If necessary they may need housekeys, know your emergency plans, and know your pet’s medical history.
- Have a record of your pet’s medical history available, any health issues they need to be aware of, as well as the contact information of your pet’s veterinarian.
- Be sure to have at least a two-week supply of food, any medications or supplements your pet may be on, and necessary supplies (for example litter or crate).
- Have a leash and harness available for your caretaker.
- Refill monthly medications for fleas, internal parasites, heartworm preventive, etc. if you are down to a two-week supply.
- Be sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations.
- Have a record of all medications your pet is on (dosages, how often they are taken, and times).
Can I take my dog for a walk?
Yes, you can still take your dog for a walk. This is a great exercise. You should ensure you are following proper social distancing. Avoid crowded areas. Uses a leash. If you are sick, you should stay at home. If you are going to walk, you should also wear a mask (since you are in public, this is a mandated order in NYS).
Can coronavirus live on my pet’s fur?
Although the virus can live on various surfaces for several hours it has not been known to survive or live on pet hair for long. If you are sick with COVID-19 the best option for your pet is to avoid contact.
What can I do if my pet feels anxious? How can I help them cope with being home or going back to work?
Our pets pick up on our stressful and worrying cues. It is best to try and keep a routine. If we are mentally and physically healthy, our pets will benefit. If you note that your pet is displaying stressful, fearful, or even aggressive behavior you should contact your veterinarian.
These behaviors can include eating things they shouldn’t, chewing (themselves or objects), scratching, barking, licking, urinating, or defecating in the house or outside their litter box, etc. If you notice any changes in their normal behaviors such as eating, you should contact your veterinarian.
It is helpful to keep a routine at home, similar to what you did when you were at work. You may also consider taking a 15-minute drive a few times a week so that your pet gets used to you not being home.
It is also a great time to teach them a new trick or start/continue with obedience training. With many of us home, we can put more time into these types of activities. If you have a pet at home with a phobia, you can even start to work conquering that. You may need some guidance however from your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.