‘Curbside check-in’: What you need to know about KC veterinarian care during coronavirus

Listed as “essential” businesses, veterinarians can operate during the shelter-in-place order for the COVID-19 pandemic.

But they are taking precautions by taking a page from restaurants — curbside service.

At Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort in Riverside, clients call to make an appointment, then call again when they are in the parking lot. An employee meets them at the car and while keeping a safe distance, picks up the pet and returns them after the exam and any treatment. Pets also can be dropped off and picked up later.

Matthew Silvius, a veterinarian and partner in the business, said some customers may be able to do follow-ups over text or live video feeds. The office also has an in-house cleaning crew that has upped procedures.

Brad Twigg, owner of Plaza Animal Clinic, started noticing a few cancellations last week as news conferences warned of the spread of the virus. But this week business is picking up as adults and children are spending more time with their pets, and “noticing limping or growths.” The pet care clinic south of the Plaza is concentrating on illness and injuries vs. wellness appointments.

KC Mobile Vet has seen business increase every year since it was founded in 2015. It is currently getting more calls from clients on preventative measures while visits are for more urgent needs.

“We have had a good response to people bringing pets out to the truck instead of me seeing them in the house. To keep me safe to keep them safe,” said owner Sarah Burkindine. “If I have a young person with no symptoms pass it on to me, I don’t want to pass it on to my customers.”

She even canceled one appointment with a client whose daughter just flew in from the East Coast.

Burkindine added: “Everyone is nervous. Will we be able to be safe, keep our employees safe and keep on surviving another day business-wise?“

Dog Pawz, a dog daycare and boarding facility, has temporarily closed for “the safety of our staff and clients,” it said. But it will make arrangements for “essential” workers.

The American Veterinary Medical Association said infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19, or that they spread it to other animals or to people.

The association said pet owners who are not ill with COVID-19 can interact with their pet as they normally would, including walking, feeding and playing. Those people with COVID-19 should limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

“It’s a scary time to have to continue to work with the public, but veterinarians across the country are going to keep working with pets to keep them healthy,” Silvius said.

This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 4:44 PM.