WAITING rooms full of nervous dogs and anxious cats have become a thing of the past during the pandemic.

Just like doctors’ surgeries, veterinary surgeries have introduced online consultations as a way of keeping staff and owners safe from the risk of Covid infection.

It is just one of many major changes practices have had to bring in over the past 10 months.

In the latest lockdown they are allowed to stay open but the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons have decided vets should only be undertaking work and seeing patients in-person for essential reasons.

Currently owners are only allowed to take their pets in for treatment and to give comfort if they have to be put down.

Managing director of Eastcott Vets Peter Southerden, a vet for more than three decades, said: “Pre-lockdown we possibly didn’t appreciate the significance of what was about to happen. 

“Initially, we wondered if perhaps enhanced infection control and not shaking hands was going to be enough to keep us safe? The full impact of the virus only became clear when lockdown was imposed. 

“Overnight all non-emergency work was cancelled and we began to wrestle with the measures which needed to be put in place and try to understand the impact this could have on our patients, their owners, our staff and the hospital. 

He said: “Like every business, we were in totally uncharted territory. What we did know was that the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, clients, team members and community must remain our top priority.”

Almost everything needed to be adapted to cope with the restrictions - rotas, teams and policies. And it had to be done quickly when normally major changes would take months.
“Many people put in huge shifts working 60, 70, even 80 hours a week. We’re incredibly proud of the entire team.

The clinic and hospital, on Dorcan Way, opened seven days a week with a 24 hour service for emergency cases and it continued to operate on pets. 

He added: “As the pandemic finally begins to recede, we are now negotiating the complex process of finding the new normal. What we have learnt from working through this crisis will be a huge help going forward. 

“We know there are a lot of patients who need our care and we are working hard to come up with a safe and efficient way of getting back up to full speed.  

“Yes, there is still a large degree of uncertainty but we have become more resilient and, therefore, better able to take events in our stride.” 

During the first lockdown warm weather meant staff at Drove Road Veterinary Hospital were able to work outside. Director Lynne Gaskarth said:

“We are pretty similar to the medical profession but not half as bad. 

“When the lockdown was announced it was emergency work only most places were. We were treating actually outside with owners during the summer or inside without owners. Now, we have full PPE but only one owner allowed in with a mask.
“You’ve got to look after human health that’s our priority but vets are hard wired to do what’s best for animals. You have to follow the government guidance.”

She explained some treatment, particularly with chronic illnesses, had to be delayed but if there was a threat to an animal’s welfare then it would be given 

“A lot of vaccinations didn’t happen so this will impact pets’ welfare,” she said. “Vaccines now are gradually continuing but we can’t let them slip, as things that need seeing have to be seen.

She also voiced concern about the delayed impact of a huge surge in numbers of people wanting to buy puppies during lockdown and the dramatic rise in prices.

“There could be a rehoming crisis of puppies,” she said. “We’re not suggesting people will do that but maybe that they haven’t thought it through.”