It’s a small, family owned and operated clinic right near your house. The hours aren’t bend-over-backwards, but they work out. They don’t have all the big machines, but once a year, you just need shots and a quick (very quick, if you are Smidge) physical exam.
And it looks like they haven’t posted on social media since May, but they used to post pictures of their clients multiple times a week. You haven’t seen any cars in the lot lately. No one has called, texted, or mailed you reminders for upcoming exams, which are approaching overdue, and…
Oh no. Did COVID-19 get ahold of my veterinarian’s office!?
Well, hopefully not in the traditional sense. Anyone who has been using family owned, locally operate or other small businesses routinely has likely noticed friction between those businesses and the COVID-19 pandemic. So what’s the plan if your vet goes radio silent right now?
No, your pet definitely does still need care right now.
Not a question, my dudes. Get those rabies shots up to date, keep a stash of medications and don't let those spay and neuters go by for too long.
Wait, your vet might be hibernating.
Since know that, while it is incredibly rare, dogs and cats can become infected with COVID-19, it’s important to remember that your veterinarian might be distancing themselves from their practice for their own safety. They are humans too, and humans get older, deal with chronic illnesses, and take care of other humans who are getting older and/or have chronic illnesses. If they’re able to adjust their hours, awesome, but keep in mind, they may have suspended their office for the time being as they sort out the best plan of action that doesn’t put any one in danger.
The office is closed… but not really.
Have you driven by and seen a sign on the door, but not stopped to read it? Maybe stop to read it sometime soon, it may have helpful information on it regarding your vet’s schedule, or if they’re referring patients out to another vet, or if there’s a different number to call than normal, or if they’re closed forever. If you’ve called the regular number you usually called and not gotten a response, try checking out the office. If you haven’t called the standard office line… well, I guess you could try that.
Those appointment windows are getting reallllll tight.
If you’ve been able to make contact, you may learn a couple of things, such as that the office is only open by appointment and there are specific parameters for those entering, or that they’re only offering specific services, like rabies shots or med refills, or that they are referring patients to another vet for services. If you find out your regular vet cannot make an appointment with you at a time
Ok, I should have done one or all of these things, but I didn’t, what now?
If your pet is overdue for a rabies or other cycle of shots, is running out of a medication, or has a chronic condition that needs to be attended to, you have a few options. If you don’t want to try and locate your regular vet, or feel like you’ve exhausted your options, whatever reasoning you have, literally just pick a new vet and make an appointment. Tell them your pet needs XYZ and you’re not able to get in touch with your current vet right now. More than likely they’d rather have your raging furball get their rabies vaccine than not, and if your vet did duck out, maybe they can give you some insight about what to do next to get records, transfer them, etc.
If you prefer to stay as loyal as possible to your regular vet, but can’t locate them, or they are closed and unable to help, and all you need is shots or even a sterilization procedure, use whoever they are referring out to (if they’re referring out) or reach out to your local nonprofit, or you municipal shelter. For example, the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia offers low-cost sterilizations by appointment and shots and other wellness needs by appointment, with some modifications due to the pandemic.
If you are a Smidge or are Smidge-like and therefore are on best behavior for the vet tech works trimming your nails but NOT when MOMMY tries it at home, the Humane Society can cut them with an appointment, and PetSmart will cut them without an appointment – if you want them ground or cut by the PetSmart salon, you MUST have your rabies paperwork (tag is not enough), but if you only want them cut and don’t have papers handy, the Banfield Hospital on the PetSmart site will also cut nails. Both take walk-ins. We have used the Banfield at the Flowery Branch PetSmart with success previously for a quickly-needed nail trim.
A final thought.
The pandemic has been awkward and weird for pretty much everyone, and if your local or family vet is still trying to operate during these times, it’s worth trying to support them. And unfortunately, sometimes the only way that can be is to give a new vet a try, per their referral. Whatever you end up choosing to do, don’t give up on the small paws backing our communities.
