OT: Veterinary Services not an essential service in Ontario

Mods: I'm sticking this in Lantus because most Canadians use Lantus. Feel free to share and/or move to a different forum if appropriate.

Rob Ford is shutting down all non-essential service Tuesday at midnight. What that means for veterinary practices, we don't know yet. Below was posted on 20 March 2020.

From:
https://cvo.org/About-CVO/News/Coro...0AeSRBVGOaU2G8CIqOd_JyE2Kz7p1WInysxBod8CibqKc

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario has received an increasing number of questions from veterinarians seeking direction as to what a shutdown in non-essential services means for veterinary medicine in Ontario.

As the College said in its March 13th update, veterinary medicine is currently not deemed to be an essential service in Ontario under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Veterinary medicine is similar to the majority of human health professions in this regard.

Nonetheless, the provincial authorities understand the critical role that veterinarians serve in protecting human and animal health, and the OVMA and others continue to emphasize this on your behalf.

As calls for action by our human health colleagues increase, the province has issued a directive to health care providers to cease or reduce non-essential or elective services. The College believes a consistent approach is appropriate for veterinary medicine. This does not mean you need to close your practice. However, this does mean you are asked to alter your services to support social distancing. The College has been consistent in its message that veterinarians are to use their judgement in reducing services that are not deemed necessary to support human and animal health at this time of public health emergency.

What that looks like is dependent on your individual practice. As in human health care, it makes sense for veterinarians to maintain services that avoid negative patient outcomes. It is equally logical to avert situations that would have a direct negative impact on the safety or welfare of an animal or group of animals. Preventative health measures that have long term disease implications, (such as flea and tick control, heartworm prevention) can also potentially be maintained in many cases through mechanisms such as telemedicine. Veterinary services dedicated to food safety and disease response in livestock are critical.

None of us know what the next few days or weeks may bring. Again, we stress that veterinarians follow all public health recommendations, be innovative in your care delivery (think telemedicine), and make smart choices in reducing services not essential to the scope of the work you do for the time being. When you do provide necessary treatment, be attentive to your infection control and biosecurity protocols to safeguard employees and clients.

The College continues to monitor this challenging and unprecedented situation. Please watch for our updates. Please connect by e-mail at practiceadvice@cvo.org if you have questions.​

 

Surely they will keep vets open. Animals aren’t suddenly not going to get sick.

 

I do hope they will keep the doors open at least for sick animals!

Here is what my former vet practice is doing. It’s brilliant!


Rockhill Vet is open - important update

Governor Tom Wolf has confirmed that Rockhill Veterinary Associates is considered a life-sustaining business and will stay open to care for your pets. RVA will be open and holding our regular business hours. Please note that Rockhill Vet instituted a mandatory “car side check” in since Sunday (3/15) to protect you, our staff and our hospital. We appreciate all the support and understanding from all of you this week. The car side check in service has been operating great with many people enjoying the extra service. RVA will continue to give the best care to your “other family members” during this time. RVA Grooming services are currently suspended until further notice.

We ask if you or any family members are showing any symptoms to please stay home and call to reschedule your appointment.

Please follow us on Facebook Click Here For up to date information.

Please see Care side check in instructions below:

To keep our clients, staff and hospital protected, RVA will be instituted a mandatory “Car Side Check in”.

Rockhill Vet will remain open for regular business hours.

Introducing Mandatory “Rockhill Vet CAR SIDE CHECK IN”

Due to the concerns for COVID -19 :

What is Car-side Check in?

When you arrive into our parking lot, please call the front desk to let them know you have arrived 215-257-6515. We will have our “Pet Concierge” meet you in the parking lot.

A staff member will come out, greet you with a wave and get your cell phone information. We will bring your pet inside the hospital. Our Veterinarian will do the exam as usual, call you on your cellphone, talk about the findings, and go over recommendations. After the exam, we will bring your pet back outside to your car.

RVA is constantly disinfecting our treatment areas. RVA also has an overnight Technician who monitors your pet’s health and fully cleans and disinfects the hospital each night.

Sincerely,

Rockhill Veterinary Associates (your other family doctor)

 

Vets in Ontario are allowed to remain open as are stores like Pet Smart, Global, etc.

 

I'm in Ontario and I read the same this morning. Pet food stores and vets are on the essential businesses list.

 

In Quebec, vets, pet food stores and shelters are on the essential list.

 

The info in the original post is no longer current.


Coronavirus: An information update from the College of Veterinarians of Ontario

Update: March 24, 2020

• Veterinary services listed as an essential workplace

Businesses that provide veterinary services are permitted to continue to deliver essential services, as indicated in the list of essential workplaces provided by the Province of Ontario on March 23, 2020.


The items on the list which pertain to veterinary medicine are:


24. Businesses that provide veterinary services, and that supply veterinary and animal control medications and related supplies and testing kits;


3. Businesses that provide essential items for the health and welfare of animals, including feed, animal food, pet food and animal supplies including bedding;


71. Businesses that provide for the health and welfare of animals, including veterinarians, farms, boarding kennels, stables, animal shelters, zoos, aquariums, research facilities and other service providers;


Veterinarians must continue to follow all public health recommendations, be innovative in your care delivery by making use of telemedicine whenever possible and make smart choices in reducing services not essential to the scope of the work you do for the time being. When you do provide necessary treatment, be attentive to your infection control and biosecurity protocols to safeguard employees and clients.


The College has been consistent in its message that veterinarians are to use their judgement in reducing services that are not deemed necessary to support human and animal health at this time of public health emergency.


What that looks like is dependent on your individual practice. As in human health care, it makes sense for veterinarians to maintain services that avoid negative patient outcomes. It is equally logical to avert situations that would have a direct negative impact on the safety or welfare of an animal or group of animals. Preventative health measures that have long term disease implications, (such as flea and tick control, heartworm prevention) can also potentially be maintained in many cases through mechanisms such as telemedicine. Veterinary services dedicated to food safety and disease response in livestock are critical.


The College continues to monitor this challenging and unprecedented situation. Please watch for our updates. Please connect by e-mail at practiceadvice@cvo.org if you have questions.


We trust your judgement. Stay well.