While humans have been dealing with the recent pandemic, their beloved pets have been blissfully dodging that worry, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had veterinary needs for the last few months. McAfee Animal Hospital has been providing curbside service whenever possible and is looking forward to welcoming pets and their owners back into the office on June 14, with new safety measures in place.
The idea, Dr. Larry McAfee said, is to provide a human-to-human touchless.
“We want to protect our clients and staff as much as possible,” he said, noting that while the client experience may change, pets can expect the same great care they’ve always received from McAfee Animal Hospital staff.
Here are the details:
Pre-visit and check-in
Only one client will be allowed per pet.
All clients are required to wear a mask upon entering the animal hospital.
McAfee Animal Hospital staff will greet clients at the door, take their temperatures, and ask two basic questions: Have you been sick, and do you currently have a cough?
Upon entering, clients will be guided to an exam room immediately instead of being asked to gather in a waiting room.
During the exam
As usual, McAfee Animal Hospital professionals will take all the time needed to properly examine and care for pets. Pet examinations have not changed much due to the pandemic, and while sanitation protocols were always in place between examinations, staff are taking extra precautions to keep all surfaces sanitized between visits.
McAfee said he expects some questions from clients about whether their pets can carry or transmit the novel corona virus to humans.
“The best and most recent knowledge we have is that animals are fomites of the corona virus, which means that their surfaces can be contaminated and then pass on the virus,” he said. “It can be on their skin, coat, or from licking someone or something that is contaminiated.”
That, McAfee said, is why it’s important for the staff to screen clients before they enter the building.
“They have not found any transferability from animals to people except for apparent fomites in some situations,” he said.
As usual, it’s always good practice to wash your hands in soapy water for at least 20 seconds after taking your pet outside.
Check out and billing
To minimize human hand contact, all invoices will now be provided electronically, by email or text.
In addition, pet education that would normally be distributed via pamphlet will be provided electronically.
“We want to be as touch-free as we can be,” McAfee said.
For information, call the animal hospital at 219-462-5901. You can also request an appointment online at https://mcafeeah.com/.