Carroll County Veterinary Clinic based in Westminster, Maryland is a full-service animal hospital that provides medical, dental, testing, surgical, therapeutical, and care services for four-legged companions. “We strive to treat you and your pets as part of our family,” the description reads.
But the coronavirus outbreak is changing the normal routines for vet clinics in the US. According to NBC15 News, many pet clinics have cut back on elective surgeries and are focusing mainly on essential and emergency treatments.
Dr. Mike Leuthner, an associate veterinarian at Petcare Animal Hospital, says that “we’re not turning anyone away if someone has an emergency.” For non-essential inquires, it’s better to have a virtual check-up or simply call your vet and follow his guidelines.
We still don’t know much about the coronavirus and whether it affects animals. But the American Veterinary Medical Association released guidelines for pet owners who have tested positive with COVID-19. “Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus," they posted on the website.
Meanwhile, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention urges us to treat pets as you would other human family members. “Do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household.” If someone inside the house becomes sick, “isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.”
