Taking your pet to the vet isn't like it used to be, with many Canberra clinics turning to non-contact measures and vets around the country making their own protective equipment in the face of a national shortage.
Inner South Veterinary Centre has halved their normal staff load, downsizing to "skeleton" teams and moving to "non-contact consulting" to comply with social distancing measures.
Director Dr Amanda Nott said the centre had stopped making routine appointments and was only taking emergent cases due to the strict changes.
"We've split our staff in half and the staff are working seven days on and seven days off," Dr Nott said.
"We have half the number of staff in the building we normally have, that's why we're only seeing emergencies because that's all we can manage."
Clients are no longer allowed in the building, unless to briefly pay, and are asked to stay in their car and call the centre upon arrival.
"The vet or the nurse goes out to the car, has a chat to them, finds out what's going on and then we take the animal inside to do what we need to do," Dr Nott said.
Dr Nott said the centre had adapted well to the required changes, but social distancing posed a dilemma for owners dealing with very ill animals.
"The end of life complications are the most difficult ones to manage with non-contact and social distancing," she said.
"That's the one that's really stretching everyone because it's a moment of intimacy and grief."
Dr Nott said some pets had been euthanised outside in the clinic's garden but that it was more difficult for small cats, birds and rabbits.
She said more than one person was being allowed inside the room in those circumstances but social distancing was maintained.
"We can still keep our distance from the people whilst doing it with compassion," Dr Nott said.
READ MORE:
- How Canberra's hospital workers are bracing for COVID-19 'tsunami'
- Eased ACT restrictions would be 'in concert' with NSW
- Parents despair amid childcare confusion
Australian Veterinary Association president Julie Crawford said clinics were an essential service but were not operating "business as usual".
"What we're telling vets is that they do have a professional, ethical and moral responsibility to operate in a manner that minimises the risk of the spread of the disease," Dr Crawford said.
"It's up to the individual vet to take the precautions that are needed in their specific area."
As hospitals across the country grapple with a shortage of personal protective equipment, Dr Crawford said vets were taking steps to limit or reuse items.
She said several practices had started making their own masks and sterilising and reusing surgical gowns.
"Because it's really just to make sure we don't infect the animals we're operating on, we can do that," Dr Crawford said.
There are some circumstances vets require full PPE, such as horses with a suspected case of hendra virus or animals with a severely infectious disease, however Dr Crawford said the industry was finding other ways around the problem.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. If you're looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, you can also sign up for our twice-daily digest here.
