Health of Your Pets During COVID-19 Pandemic

N e w s   f r o m:  TERRY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Dear Families,
Greetings to everyone- we hope you and your families (human and animal) are all doing well during this difficult time.

The main concern of Terry Animal Hospital right now is how to continue to bring needed care to your pets while following CDC and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19. 
Pets are still getting sick, and veterinary clinics are providing an essential service, so we are open and here to help you.

As recommended by the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) we are encouraging you to delay routine annual exams and elective surgical procedures until the situation stabilizes.  The only exception to this is if your pet is due for a rabies vaccine.  If you are not sure about scheduling, or if you currently have a surgical procedure scheduled with us, please call us so we can advise you on an individual basis.

We are still seeing pets that are ill or need ongoing care for chronic conditions with a few adjustments to ensure the safety of human companions and the safety of our staff.  If you or someone in your home is showing signs of a respiratory illness, you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or you are in a high risk group (older or with chronic conditions), try to find someone else to bring your pet in for you and remain safely at home. We can discuss the problems, findings, and plan with you over the phone, so it is ok if you are not there.

If you are healthy and not high-risk (older or with chronic medical conditions) we will be providing curb-side service. Please call when you arrive, and we can come to the car to get your pet, then communicate the next steps for their care over the phone. When your pet is ready to be taken home we will call you and bring them to the car for you.  -For their safety, all cats must be in carriers. A harness is not a safe alternative. 

We will be accepting payment over the phone so you and your pet can leave after we return your pet to the car. This will limit unnecessary contact.
We will be going over paperwork and accepting consent for urgent surgical procedures electronically or over the phone.  We can plan this when we call the day before the surgery to confirm the procedure.

If you need a prescription refilled, please make use of our online pharmacy to have medications delivered directly to your door.  https://terryanimalhospital.vetsfirstchoice.com//   If your need is urgent, we can still fill medications here. Please call ahead and we can give them to you at the curb.

We continue to maintain comprehensive infectious disease protocols within the hospital.  All touchable surfaces are being disinfected between visits and we are adjusting protocols as new information becomes available.
If you have questions about whether pets can be carriers for or become ill from the coronavirus there are some resources below.  Though complete information is not available, there does not seem to be any reason to be concerned about pets at this time.  

Here are some links with further information about pets and corona virus: 

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/covid-19-faq-pet-owners_031620.pdf
https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/

This situation is constantly changing, and we will be in touch as things develop if we need to make adjustments.  We will do everything possible to make your visit as safe as possible for everyone without compromising caring for your pets’ health.  Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Sincerely,
The Staff at Terry Animal Hospital