COVID-19 UPDATE 24/03/20

Updated 31/03/20

In light of the unprecedented measures introduced by the government on 23rd March, current advice from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and British Veterinary Association (BVA) is that veterinary practices must reduce face-to-face contact for at least a 3 week period.  This requires us to provide emergency care only, fulfil urgent prescriptions, and to continue assisting our farmers in maintaining the food supply chain.  Please rest assured that emergency cover will remain in place throughout.

In order to help protect our nation’s population and our NHS, it is necessary that we ALL take steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Animal welfare must not be compromised, but routine work must temporarily cease.

Please follow current government guidelines and if you are self-isolating we will do our best to work with you to achieve the necessary assessment and treatment for all animals under our care.

For patients of all species we are asking that clients do not enter the building unless this is unavoidable. To this end we have locked our front door.  We are providing telephone contact but please bear with us as lines will be busy.

DELIVERIES will help ensure patients receive necessary medications.  In some circumstances it may be possible to post medications; we will also be offering delivery for a charge based on distance from the practice. 

FARM

Work for production animals is to continue as normal as far as possible, providing our staffing levels permit.  Emergency cover will always take priority.

• Visits should take place in well-ventilated areas / outside and animals should be restrained to allow a 2 metre (cow length) distance between vet and farm staff.
• Visits will only take place on farms that aren't showing symptoms or self-isolating.  If a visit is absolutely necessary in this scenario, a second veterinary team member should attend to avoid interaction with the farm team
• For up to date information regarding TB testing, the TB Hub website is an excellent resource and can be accessed here.

PETS

Our Saltash and Looe branches are now open on a limited basis to facilitate our provision of essential services from our main centre at Callington.  We have adapted our working practises in order to protect both our staff and our clients.

• Face-to-face interaction is to be avoided if at all possible.
• We will be triaging patients by telephone and only seeing those when the vet considers this to be essential.
• Telephone consultations will be charged at a reduced rate from our standard consultation.  If a physical examination is consequently deemed necessary there will be no charge for the initial telephone consultation and the appointment will be charged at the normal rate.
• If an examination is necessary your pet will be taken into the practice by the vet to be examined, with the aid of a trained nurse.
• Findings and further diagnostic procedures or treatment requirements will be discussed with you as required.
• Vaccinations are temporarily suspended.  This includes boosters AND puppy vaccinations.  Risk to your pet from lapsed vaccination is markedly reduced due to the current social distancing requirements.  We will be offering a 'vaccination amnesty' in order to ensure full protection for your pets as soon as restrictions are lifted.
• Prescriptions: if your pet is on medication for an ongoing condition we will endeavour to maintain this supply.  Please phone us for advice if needed.

EQUINE

We will be triaging cases by telephone; this may include sending photos and using videos. Telephone consultations will incur a fee, however if we then need to see your horse there will be no additional charge.

Our team are still providing a 24hr emergency service and will still be treating sick and injured horses as normal. Though to do this we require you to respect the social distancing measures put in place. 

We are required to temporarily suspend routine procedures including vaccinations, castrations, routine dental work and pre-purchase examinations.

Vaccinations will be suspended for a period of 1 month. A vaccination amnesty will be available for clients needing to restart vaccinations after restrictions are lifted. In some exceptions we will still be able to vaccinate for tetanus in naive animals. If you are unsure, please contact the equine office and you can discuss this with one of the vets.

We will fulfil prescription checks by telephone where possible.

Many thanks to all clients for your understanding in these exceptional circumstances.