VETS corner

COVID - through the eyes of a vet

By Dr. Kelly Wasylciw, Veterinary Services

COVID-19 really changed how we view everything in our lives. This was especially hard at the beginning of the pandemic because of how sudden everything came to a standstill. I want to share my experience as a vet going through those times.

It began as a storm. People trying to avoid other people, wearing masks, washing hands, keeping things as clean as possible. It was supposed to be temporary, we were told 2 weeks. Just 2 weeks. Suddenly we had to deal with closing everything ‘non-essential’. Veterinary clinics were not listed as ‘essential’ businesses. We feared the absolute worst, that we would be unable to provide care to our patients!

Finally, we were told we could stay open - but only for ‘emergency care’. However, we weren’t told what that actually meant. Veterinarians had to make our own decisions as to what cases we would see. We started asking clients to stay outside and have their furry family members come in alone to the office. We were only talking to our clients about their loved ones over the phone. It was absolutely draining!! Suddenly, we were talking to people on the phone before seeing their animals, then looking over their animals and then calling them back to talk to them. It felt so impersonal, it felt cold. It was hard!!

At first, it was impossible to be anything but professional. We used to talk about the weather, how we are feeling, about trips and other things to create a bond between us as a client and Vet. That stopped, because there was no time for us to do that. Prior to Covid-19, when clients were coming into the building I could ask about the animal’s history and chat with the owner, all while I was looking at the animal, observing them, checking them over, looking at their eyes, ears, body condition, etc. Now I get the history over the phone, examine any needed care, then talk to the owner again to discuss the next steps and possible further diagnostics that may be needed. This strain to our schedules made it more difficult to find any time to write our records.

Instead of coming in for medications and food, everything is over the phone. Our receptionists go outside to do billing and bring medications & food outside to owners. It means they can’t answer the phone during that time, so sometimes it rings busy because our lines are on hold waiting until someone can answer the phone.

Let us add in people who were now at home and decided to get a new addition to their family. This added an even BIGGER strain to our work.

Finally, we were told to see ‘emergency’ cases only. All those pets in that first few months due for vaccines were told to reschedule and still potentially have not been seen up until this point. There has been a large backlog of appointments. We still aren’t fully caught up with those patients, let alone the addition of new patients.

Overall, the whole industry has changed. It is stressful, overwhelming and we will have to go through large changes at least one more time. All the adaptations we made to keep everyone safe during this pandemic will shift back to the way things once were.

Sometimes I dread the change back to our routine pre-pandemic because we, as vets, will have to adjust again. Change brings many challenges. It will be stressful and tiring, even if that change is what we were doing prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.