Vet appointments during lockdown

[PermanentlyDizzy]

Just wanted to know how many of you are able to book veterinary appointments for advice over the telephone at the moment. It seems some people are only having phone calls and then see a vet if they decide it’s necessary (a bit like most GP’s have been doing).

Our vets have not had people in consulting rooms since March last year. They take the dog in, then come out and speak to you in the carpark. Fair enough, limiting exposure is sensible at the moment.

(They don’t offer a euthanasia service other than the dog going in without you either. It’s a whole other story, but my other dog died at home last year, because he was terrified of the vets and we couldn’t have just handed him over to die without us and they wouldn’t offer an alternative.)

My elderly dog was seen and examined a couple of weeks ago. We are monitoring him, as he has been having a few episodes that the vet thinks are neurological, he also has a tooth which could do with coming out, but they aren’t happy to put him under because of the neuro issue.

I have just called to see if I can book a telephone consultation to discuss the way forward. He doesn’t need to be examined, we need to make some decisions. I was willing to book a slot and pay a full consultation fee for the call. Apparently they don’t do telephone consults as they are too busy with appointments. Surely it’s easier to pick up the phone and call me at his allotted appointment time, than it is to have him in, then bring him out and discuss it all in the car park face to face. Not to mention it’s going to be a difficult conversation and I would rather not have it standing in a car park in front of other vet clients and the queue for the local cafe’s coffee take away. I also have health issues, which mean we have pretty much avoided all contact except vet, GP and hospital appointments for the past year. It just seems a bit strange to, understandably, be wanting to limit contact due to Covid, but then to refuse to speak on the phone and insist you go down there. It won’t take any longer or need to be done in the evening, I was wanting to book an appointment slot.

Incidentally, their website has claimed for a year that they do video consults and has an online form to book them. I asked about that and they said they aren’t doing them at the moment due to technical difficulties (they weren’t doing them last May when my other dog was dying either) so I said, surely I could book a video slot, but speak on the phone instead. Apparently not.

We know we don’t have long left with him, we lost our younger dog in horrible circumstances in the first lockdown and I am feeling very emotional about the situation, so accept that I am probably oversensitive about all this because of that. If my perspective is skewed/off and/or I am missing something I am happy to take than on board. (FWIW I have booked him in for an appointment anyway, as obviously his needs come first.)

I have been with this practice for over 30 years, but am seriously considering moving to a new one for my next dog. They were taken over by a large corporate firm fairly recently, the vet we had a relationship with has left and after how things went with my other dog least year, I feel like I have lost faith in them.

Yes, it's down to the individual surgery or company to make sure they are Covid secure, so it will vary between practices. Bear in mind in the age of corporate practice, it is unlikely to be your vet who has made that decision. Veterinary practices have a responsibility to the wider community to operate as safely as possible and as PP pointed out, it can be a long winded way of doing things as everything is more labour intensive. Practices vary a lot: ours is large, multi-centre and busy, and local rates are fairly high at the moment, so would not be the right thing to let people in! Places like Vets4Pets have a different set up, as they can't really see people outside, but then their buildings are more modern and they tend to be quieter (our local one certainly is).

I consider myself to by CV (though I'm not on the vaccine priority list) and my nurse is CV, but that won't be the reason you are not allowed in. Covid could spread easily within a vets staff as buildings are traditionally poorly ventilated (to prevent escapees!) and we cannot socially distance from each other when we are treating your pets. A couple of cases within a practice, and we'd have to close, which would be a nightmare for pets, neighbouring practices and the business alike. Only people allowed furlough in my place are CEV, but plenty of us have childcare issues, some practices will be short staffed!

I've gone off on a tangent, but in your shoes I would investigate the mobile vet option, or phone another local practice and ask what their likely procedure would be. I hope your dog picks up, but if not I do sympathise, it is not easy to say goodbye at the best of times.

@PermanentlyDizzy

Just wanted to know how many of you are able to book veterinary appointments for advice over the telephone at the moment. It seems some people are only having phone calls and then see a vet if they decide it’s necessary (a bit like most GP’s have been doing).

Our vets have not had people in consulting rooms since March last year. They take the dog in, then come out and speak to you in the carpark. Fair enough, limiting exposure is sensible at the moment.

(They don’t offer a euthanasia service other than the dog going in without you either. It’s a whole other story, but my other dog died at home last year, because he was terrified of the vets and we couldn’t have just handed him over to die without us and they wouldn’t offer an alternative.)

My elderly dog was seen and examined a couple of weeks ago. We are monitoring him, as he has been having a few episodes that the vet thinks are neurological, he also has a tooth which could do with coming out, but they aren’t happy to put him under because of the neuro issue.

I have just called to see if I can book a telephone consultation to discuss the way forward. He doesn’t need to be examined, we need to make some decisions. I was willing to book a slot and pay a full consultation fee for the call. Apparently they don’t do telephone consults as they are too busy with appointments. Surely it’s easier to pick up the phone and call me at his allotted appointment time, than it is to have him in, then bring him out and discuss it all in the car park face to face. Not to mention it’s going to be a difficult conversation and I would rather not have it standing in a car park in front of other vet clients and the queue for the local cafe’s coffee take away. I also have health issues, which mean we have pretty much avoided all contact except vet, GP and hospital appointments for the past year. It just seems a bit strange to, understandably, be wanting to limit contact due to Covid, but then to refuse to speak on the phone and insist you go down there. It won’t take any longer or need to be done in the evening, I was wanting to book an appointment slot.

Incidentally, their website has claimed for a year that they do video consults and has an online form to book them. I asked about that and they said they aren’t doing them at the moment due to technical difficulties (they weren’t doing them last May when my other dog was dying either) so I said, surely I could book a video slot, but speak on the phone instead. Apparently not.

We know we don’t have long left with him, we lost our younger dog in horrible circumstances in the first lockdown and I am feeling very emotional about the situation, so accept that I am probably oversensitive about all this because of that. If my perspective is skewed/off and/or I am missing something I am happy to take than on board. (FWIW I have booked him in for an appointment anyway, as obviously his needs come first.)

I have been with this practice for over 30 years, but am seriously considering moving to a new one for my next dog. They were taken over by a large corporate firm fairly recently, the vet we had a relationship with has left and after how things went with my other dog least year, I feel like I have lost faith in them.

My vet of 30 yrs also sold out last yr @PermanentlyDizzy - I'd always been very happy there until that point. Luckily a young male vet who'd been a locum there (and I really liked because he listened!) was setting up a small practice in the next town. People have been flocking there.

Are there any small, independent, practices near you? I would be investigating change of vet at this point. Good luck.

Definitely change your vet.
I moved areas in November and signed up for a local one man practice.
When it was obvious that my elderly dog was suffering I booked her in to be told that the vet would collect her from the car and take her inside to put her to sleep.
I refused the appointment and went to the nearest Pets at Home practice to explain the situation.
They were superb.
I was able to take her in and sit with her whilst the sedation took effect.
I waited in the reception area as the final jab was given.
The staff were brilliant.
They had already lit a candle in memory for her in reception and I also received a condolence card a few days later.
It was a terrible time but I felt she had a dignified and peaceful end .

I know a cat is much smaller than a dog but when we needed to take ours ( we were both on shielding list ) this is what we did.
Put our cat in her carrier , drove to the vets. Put the cat carrier in the (open) boot of the car. Vet came out and collected cat . Bought cat back to boot, we put the cat back in car , telephoned for the consultation . Vet bought out medication to car.