Are your vets allowing clients in yet?

[amieejust]

Just wondering really. Our vets are still consulting in the surgery car parks and will be for some time yet.

I think the only exception is for pts.

Consulting outside is working quite well IMO but not sure if it will still work once the colder days and dark evenings set in.

I booked an appointment today for Monday so I hope so!

Ours started letting one person per pet in this week so I’ve booked to take our dog for his jabs and a check up this week .

I went in last week.

No, we have to ring the bell on arrival & they come & collect the pet from us, whilst we wait outside.

We still have to wait outside while the pet goes in.

@Horsemad

No, we have to ring the bell on arrival & they come & collect the pet from us, whilst we wait outside.

Same here.

Not last week. Took cat for jabs and had to handover outside

Ours are asking that you phone them on arrival and say which bay number you are, they will then collect the pet.

No, they come to talk to you outside and collect your pet from you there.

I took one of mine last week. A receptionist comes out into the car park as people arrive with their pets. Vet comes out to collect pet and then returns them. I’m going again next week as as far as I know it’s still the same.

We are certainly still doing this , dreading the winter !
Main reason is we don’t want to get shut down through track and trace so are limiting people in the building. If we have to close, what happens when your pet needs medical help?
Also many practices are older buildings and completely impractical for social distancing. We have a 1m square lobby by the front door that leads to four rooms and the stairs.
Our rota has been completely rearranged so that we are working in small teams in order that if one team has to isolate, another can step in. None of us want to leave pets with no where to go.
My village doctors surgery on the other hand has still not reopened post covid , at all, for anyone .....

We are not allowing clients in the building. Our consultung rooms dont allow for social distancing and have no windows or ventilation. We dont anticipate this changing anytime soon.

This is as much to protect clients as staff. I am not sure how this will work in the rain. It has proven difficult during really hot weather and we have allowed older clients or anyone struggling into the waiting area.

Whilst it isnt perfect, it works well. The pets tend to be calmer without their humans.

Its started to feel normal so it will be weird when we do allow owners back in.

Yes... our dog had an emergency appointment six weeks ago and it was almost business as usual. Only differences were plastic screens and the vet examined our dog on the floor not the table for SD reasons.

No. Took my cat off me in her carrier last week in their car park. She needed pain meds and an antibiotic for a sore eye. Fine now. Worked ok actually.

Ours are still doing handover/reporting back in the car park. Fine usually but tough for nervous pets. We then go inside to pay and sort any admin.

I guess for drivers it'll be fine in winter as you can wait in the car but not so great for people to have to sit outside.

Took my cat in recently. The vet spoke to me on the phone before and after drop off so you aren’t stood in the rain. Someone then came out to collect her

My lovely, git for me if something needs doing, was a delight for the vet apparently.

Someone did come to the vet door and was let into the surgery. I’m assuming that’s someone not in a car as i didn’t see them drive in

Not in general I don't think last med pick up was wait out side and they came out to deliver it. They also as of last week still not seeing animals unless it was necessary.

My vet very kindly made an exception on Saturday for me as we had to have my girl pts but Dp (or anyone) wasn't allowed to come and we had to keep as much distance from each other as possible and wear masks. We obviously couldn't keep two meters but we made it work as best we could.
I'm incredibly grateful to her for allowing me to be with my girl to say goodbye.

When I got to the vet I had to call to let them know I was there with her as reception wasn't open.

For anyone worried about nervous pets, can hand on heart say that the vast majority of pets have been better without their owners. We weren’t expecting that, it’s been a real bonus. I think there just isn’t that level of owner anxiety for them to tune in to. We stay chilled, they still chilled, they get biscuits, works a treat !

Handover outside here. And lovely as my vet is, my cats were definitely not better without their owners! Clearly traumatised and spent the next few days hiding and having to be fed in their hiding spot as they wouldn't come out for food.

Not disputing the approach, and as outside cats, there was no question of whether or not to have their jabs. But we had a very guilty-feeling few days until they re-emerged!

No, it’s park up and phone in giving the car space number. Payment by card over the phone or bank transfer via an emailed bill.

It’s ok to a point. Except they what is said to you in the car park isn’t always written up in the notes later on. Whereas the notes used to be written up whilst you were present - so no chance of miscommunication.

Nearlyoldenough -we have found the same. Much calmer, once we get them inside.

Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple I agree. My cat was in with health problems that meant cleaning the bum area was an issue

After the issues resolved and before post op review I tried to help in that area, complete and utter mess,nI admitted defeat. The vet clipped and groomed and apparently the little git stood completely still no issues.

I absolutely agree if I’d been there they would have been a little git again and been stressed out

Oh and when I say git I obviously mean the bestest cat ever.

Ours are now letting one person in.

No. We have to wait in reception and the pet goes in for consultation. Only one customer in reception at any one time too.