Essential services list for veterinarians

VETERINARIANS, being the custodians of animal health and welfare, have been classified as essential service providers during the national lockdown.

In response to this, the South African Veterinary Association has provided guidelines for veterinarians, assisting them to determine which services are deemed essential.

These have also been made available to the public to assist animal owners in making informed decisions on when to contact their veterinarian.

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If animal owners are concerned about the health of their animals, the first step is to call the clinic to first discuss the concern, and if deemed necessary by the consulting veterinarian, to take the animal to the clinic.

Listed below are the necessary guidelines to aid pet owners during this pandemic:

• Wellness visits – postponed.

• Food sales and medication refills – continue, but maintain social distancing if purchasing directly from your preferred veterinary clinic or make use of online delivery services.

• Rabies vaccination – routine vaccinations can be reasonably postponed if the owner can manage the animal in such a way to minimise the risk of exposure until the animal can be vaccinated.

• Other vaccinations – if deemed necessary, have your veterinary clinic administer boosters of vaccine based on your animal’s condition and circumstances.

• Flea/tick preventives – maintain social distancing if collecting from your veterinary clinic, or arrange with your clinic if they offer the option of delivery.

• Life-threatening conditions – if your animal suffers from a life-threatening condition and you are both from a low-risk household, apply social distancing when visiting your veterinary clinic.

High risk households

• Management of painful, chronic conditions – could be managed by telemedicine.

• Surgical procedures for painful disorders – if your animal can be temporarily maintained on analgesics with a low risk of negative consequences, delay the surgery. If the surgery cannot be delayed, proceed if the household is low-risk. If the household is high-risk, consult your veterinary clinic to discuss alternative options. If possible, isolate your animal from any high-risk individuals for 2-3 days to minimise the risk of possible contamination.

• Sterilisations – elective sterilisation for animals from a high-risk household should be discontinued until further notice. Animals from low-risk households could be sterilised, but always maintain social distancing. High-risk households are those that have individuals known or suspected of Covid-19 infections, as well as those in which a person has been self-isolating and subsequently developed signs of respiratory infections, even if Covid-19 testing has not been performed.

• Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine allows patients in remote locations to access medical expertise quickly, efficiently and without travel.

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