Why are veterinarians still doing curbside?

There are thousands of veterinary hospitals that had to make drastic changes to their pet care protocols when COVID-19 hit our world. Since most businesses have opened their doors, at least partially or with restrictions, people are starting to question why their veterinary offices are still continuing with curbside. My question to you is this...Have you asked your veterinary office why?

From what I have seen on social media, is that no...you have not asked. You assume that you know how their business should be run and do not agree with their business decisions. You are angry and mean and unkind because you think you know what is best.

Right now....people are not treating each other kindly. I am very aware of it in the veterinary world, but I know that it happens all over. This season of our lives is hard. But instead of automatically getting angry or upset, threatening to find another vet, posting a terrible ranting online review, or worse...physically, verbally, and emotionally abusing the staff.....ask them.

Typically it will be one of these reasons:

1. One of doctors or staff are immune compromised, or are caring for someone that is immune compromised. Having that constant face-to-face exposure, even with masks on, can be a problem. What if you are going through chemotherapy, or if you have a child that is medically fragile, would you not want to do everything you could to minimize your exposure so that you minimize theirs? Or how about that elderly parent with a terrible immune system, who would have severe consequences if they get sick?

2. Veterinary hospital exam rooms are not large enough to maintain social distancing guidelines. After you fit in a veterinarian, a technician, the client, and a pet, there is not room to distance yourselves. Exam tables are typically set in the middle of the room. So unless the exam rooms are over 12 foot long, it gets really crowded really quick!

3. In order to disinfect an exam room between clients and pets, the exam table, walls, chairs, and floors need to be cleaned and then properly disinfected. The disinfectants have to have contact time on the surfaces to be effective. That takes staff members whose primary job is doing that cleaning. And that is just the exam rooms. The lobby or waiting area also has to have the same standard between patients.

Veterinarians are reporting seeing a higher volume of patients since the pandemic started. People have been home with their pets which has caused people noticing abnormalities more often. There is a widespread shortage of veterinarians and credentialed veterinary technicians so those that are working, are working 12+ hours per day to see your pets. If they had to open the doors back up to the public with business as it was in 2019, then there would not be enough hospitals to see all of the patients!

So, if you are frustrated with how your veterinary hospital is seeing patients, understand that they are trying the best they can. The veterinarians have reasons, and you don't have to agree with them...but you do need to be kind.