How do you keep your pup healthy during the pandemic? All the focus is on humans and keeping humans safe, but remember your dog! She still needs her medications, preventatives, and if she falls ill or gets injured, she will need treatment. We wanted to touch on a few things you may not know or have thought of when it comes to veterinary care right now.Of course, every state is different, so we can only speak about our own state, but we do know many states have similar policies. Veterinary care is considered an essential service in many if not all states. Keep in mind, essential service may mean only care that is absolutely necessary. Veterinary practices are seeing patients curbside or with remote video service. What does this mean for you and your dog?
Those working at the clinic need to protect themselves and will most likely be wearing masks and gloves. Many of us canines are not used to masks, so keep this in mind. Pet parents who choose a curbside appointment will give their pup up to a person at the clinic and not be able to go inside with them. If your dog is fearful of masks or other facial coverings, practice with her at home to help her feel more comfortable, especially since you won’t be with her.
Virtual vet visits are a great way to stay safe at home and have a real veterinarian diagnose your dog through video. Not all clinics offer this service, and it may not work for all illnesses, but it is a good place to start.
Most veterinary clinics have limited curbside services to essential services only. Examples would be injuries, infections, serious illness, vital vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, end of life services. If you are unsure whether your issue qualifies, call your clinic. Why are some vaccinations and flea and tick prevention essential? They are vital to ensuring the health of your dog, and possible of their human in the case of ticks and fleas. Just because we have stay at home orders doesn’t mean your dog isn’t going outside and picking up nasty hitchhikers.
As with going anywhere, if you are not feeling well, cancel your appointment and stay home! Don’t risk infecting someone by taking your pup to the vet. Not only do you need to keep your pup healthy during the pandemic, you need to help keep others healthy as well.
Normally we go for our heartworm test in April. This year in mid March, before our state started shutting down, Mom decided we should all go in asap just in case things would be closed down. Luckily, we did go and had curbside service. We got our heartworm medication, and several months of flea and tick preventative. Thankfully we did, as Olivia had a tick crawling over her nose the day of our snowstorm!
There are a few other considerations to make to keep your pup healthy during the pandemic, and cared for as well. Remember, we are completely dependent on you for our care.
Make sure you have plenty of prescriptions for your dog’s medication on hand. Right now it may take a longer time to get a refill. If you can’t get out, or prefer not to, see if your veterinarian can fax your prescription to a pharmacy near you. For flea and tick prevention, many companies ship to your door if they have your prescription.
Keep an extra bag or two of food on hand. So far we haven’t had trouble getting our food, but it has been taking a lot longer to arrive. Getting the meat to mix in with it has been more challenging. Switching a dog’s food takes a few days at least to keep our tummies from getting upset, so don’t risk running out.
Lastly, in the event that you fall ill, who will care for your furry one? This is a point for now and for always actually. We hope no one gets ill, but if you do, someone will need to care for your pup. Make a plan with someone you know in the event you need some help.
We’re thankful veterinarians are considered essential services. It’s great the government is recognizing the importance of pets and our health!
We’re joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop! Visit some other blogs to see what they are thankful for.
Yes, we have many things to consider and prepare for. Thank you for these reminders.
And we agree that veterinarians are absolutely essential. We truly love ours! We would like a future where it is truly One Health.
That is an interesting idea. We like out vet, but we don’t like going there, except for Olivia who loves the place.
Those were great points and yes, it’s important that we all stay safe without ignoring our health. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
It’s important for everyone!
oh how great that you went to da vet place before things became complicated… your mom has a super sense for the right time!
She is learning to trust her instincts in dog sports and in life and is almost always right. Humans are so silly.
You pups are too darling in your safety get-up, thanks for the tips and stay healthy all!
Thank you. We just want to make sure all the pets out there stay safe too.
Thank you for your wonderful suggestions! We are doing the best we can. XOXO, Sparkle
Everything is tough. Mom never thought she would spend 2 weeks searching for toilet paper for Gramma, but she did. What is wrong with our world? It is insane!
Wonderful info! Our vet has curbside if appointment made in advance. We got Chablis’ meds refilled, and extra treats for ME – plus food of course. We are good for a couple more months. LB
p.s. Madison you sure look cute in your pink bow!
Thank you. I got a lot of comments on my bow 🙂 Glad you boys are all set for a while. It’s a good feeling.
Your mom is very smart, but we already knew that.
Have a woof woof Thankful Thursday. My best to your mom. ♥
We just try to stay a bit ahead of the game and be prepared since who knows what will happen next.
Great advice. We all need to get through this crisis and stay safe.
We sure do!
Great advice and such a good timing of your mom😸Clean Pawkisses for a Happy Thursday. Stay Safe Healthy and Yourselfie🙏🐾😽💞
Mom gets feelings and if she ignores them, she always regrets it, so now she is trying to just go with them.
Great tips! It’s a lot to keep track of these days, how every different thing is working! Thankfully, vet’s offices are considered essential in our state as well.
They are essential, but only open for essential things. Crazy world out there.
All vets here are now curbside only, you give great tips, but the cats aren’t going to like a vet visit no matter what. Unless it’s an emergency, they won’t see the vet until this is over.
They are curbside only here too, but for vaccinations, heartworm tests, and essential items like that to stay healthy, they take the dog in and do the exam and bring her back out.
After our week this week, we can speak to all of this!
xoxo,
Arty
We are thinking of you Arty. Hope you were able to get some help at the vet.
Pawsome tips!
Thank you.
It is a scary time and we do have to take extra care of everyone. The boys get their meds from Chewy so we are okay. Thankfully, they were sick prior to this craziness and we could be with them inside the vet office.
Going into the vet without Mom is scary for us and for her, but at least we can go if we need to. Hopefully rules will loosen again soon, but who knows.
This such a great post!
We were supposed to go to Athena’s booster vaccination this month but we had to cancel.
Thank you. Everyone has to do what is best for them and their pet. Hopefully in a few months things will be more “normal” when we need our vaccinations.
Thank you for this great information. We are doing curbside at our clinic and I have noticed a few dogs that are afraid of the masks which I don’t blame them as they probably never saw one.
We are starting to work on Mom wearing a mask because if sports trials start again, most likely everyone will need to wear a mask.