Veterinarian Column: [State of Emergency] About visiting a veterinary hospital
As of April 14th, a state of emergency has been declared in seven prefectures. In order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, both in areas where a state of emergency has been declared and in areas where a state of emergency has not been declared, people must refrain from going out unless necessary.
We are receiving an increasing number of inquiries from people who are concerned about the risk of infection with the new coronavirus by going out to visit a veterinary hospital. How should I go to the veterinary hospital? This time, we will explain when it is okay to postpone a visit to the veterinary hospital, when a visit is necessary, and precautions to be taken when visiting the hospital.
When you can postpone your visit
■ Rabies vaccination
Rabies group injections have been canceled in various places due to the new coronavirus. If you have previously received vaccinations through group vaccinations, please receive them at a veterinary hospital.
Under the Rabies Prevention Act, the injection period is from April to June. There is no need to rush to get vaccinated in April or May just because you were vaccinated in April every year. Don't forget to get vaccinated after the new coronavirus has subsided. (If you are unable to vaccinate your dog by June due to unavoidable reasons, please rest assured that you can still receive rabies vaccinations at the veterinary hospital after June.)
■ Combined vaccine
What should I do since I received the combination vaccine in April and May every year? You may want to postpone it. Due to the state of emergency, it is unlikely that you will be traveling with your pet or going to places where pets gather, and the antibodies from vaccines do not wear off after exactly one year. Don't forget to get vaccinated after the new coronavirus has subsided.
You may be able to postpone your visit until the end of May (varies in warmer regions).
■ Heartworm preventive medicine
The administration period for heartworm preventive drugs varies depending on the region and the veterinary hospital's policy, such as from April to December, from the end of May to the end of November, or throughout the year. Also, when prescribing preventive drugs, are the preventive measures taken in the previous year? There are various hospitals, including hospitals that require testing to confirm whether there is heartworm infection, and hospitals that conduct tests on a voluntary basis. This test requires a visit to the veterinary hospital.
The period of administration of heartworm preventive drugs is important. Delaying the administration of prophylactic drugs from June or July will result in incomplete prevention. Doses should be started once a month from the end of May at the latest.
If you are concerned about the risk of infection from visiting the hospital, please call the veterinary hospital for advice. Some hospitals are taking measures such as changing to appointment-only treatment to avoid crowding in the waiting room, or prescribing only preventive medication if requested (because they do not perform tests, you will be responsible if anything happens). It seems that.
If you need to visit the hospital
■ Visiting the hospital due to illness or injury
Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, in order to ensure the safety of pet owners and prevent infection within veterinary hospitals, each hospital has taken measures such as requiring reservations, asking pets to wait in their cars instead of in the waiting room, and disinfecting their pets with alcohol when visiting the hospital. I am. Please check your local homepage or phone before visiting the hospital.
In the case of illness or injury, do not judge on your own whether it is an emergency or not, but rather consult a veterinarian over the phone.
・When visiting a veterinary hospital
Please wear a mask as much as possible and visit the clinic alone if possible. If the waiting room is crowded, avoid crowding many patients by waiting in your car or outside.
・If only medicine is prescribed
Please be aware of the above even if only the owner is visiting.
In response to the new coronavirus, some pet insurance companies are now covering hospital visits without your pet. Veterinary hospitals also take flexible measures, such as prescribing only medication depending on the pet's condition. Since medicines will be prescribed without examining your pet, be sure to tell your veterinarian about its general condition, such as its energy and appetite. Also, weigh your pet at home.
I think elderly owners, owners with infants, and pregnant owners should refrain from going out as much as possible. If this is the case, I think it would be a good idea to talk to your veterinary hospital about your pet's condition over the phone and ask if a representative can come to the hospital or send medication by mail.
Until the new coronavirus infection subsides, non-urgent matters such as vaccinations and vaccinations should be postponed, and if you need to go to the hospital, please pay close attention to minimize the risk of infection.
What to do with your pet if the owner is infected with the new coronavirus?
This is new information. please refer.
*Tokyo Veterinary Association
For owners (new coronavirus Q&A)
https://www.tvma.or.jp/public/items/1-20200408%28Q%26A-5%EF%BC%89.pdf
Contains the latest information as of April 8th.
*What you need to know about taking care of pets owned by people infected with the new coronavirus
https://www.tvma.or.jp/public/items/1-20200406%EF%BC%88COVID-19.pdf
It provides detailed explanations of precautions to take when leaving your pet, how to disinfect it, how to shampoo it, etc.
*Anicom Holdings Co., Ltd.
[#Stay Anicom] project to keep pets of corona infected people free of charge
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000033.000028421.html
This service is for pet owners who have been infected with the new coronavirus.
Interested applicants should apply using the dedicated form.
