Ongoing changes are occurring, but we want to reassure you that we are here for you and your cat when you need us. Veterinary medicine is considered an essential service, so even if other business are closed due to today’s “stay in place” order, we are here to serve you and your cat, either remotely or in PURR-son.
SURGERY: Yesterday, Oregon’s governor, like many in other states, asked veterinarians in the state to postpone all non-emergency surgical procedures in order to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers treating human COVID-19 patients. We are committed to following directives provided by our governmental agencies and want to cooperate fully. We will be reviewing scheduled or proposed procedures to be sure we comply with the guidelines.
With this said, however, there are some things to understand about veterinary procedures that are different from those in humans. A number of these such as sedated physical examinations, which some patients require, grooming activities, basic wound and abscess care, ingrown nails, lab sample collection, etc. are not in any case sterile procedures and do not require PPE. Dental procedures are not performed using gowns or sterile gloves as they are not sterile procedures either.
All of CatCare’s surgical gowns, drapes, and towels are not single use disposables as is common in the human field. These items are cloth and after each use are sanitized, laundered, and autoclaved for the next patient.
FOODS AND MEDICATIONS: So far we are not having any trouble obtaining cat foods or medications; however, shipping delays may occur, so re-order things earlier than you normally would so that you get them prior to running out. If you are used to coming in to the clinic to pick up food or medications and would prefer home delivery of these items, at least for now, most can be ordered through our online store, accessible from our website, which has a first-time ordering discount code MEOW20. Things that should be autoshipped such as foods or flea products can receive free shipping from the online store. We will make every effort to help you get what you need in a way that is convenient and safe for you.
TELEMEDICINE: With regard to telemedicine, Oregon’s governor has also just relaxed the state’s administrative rules regarding this service. Under normal circumstances, veterinarians in Oregon may only practice telemedicine when there is a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), which implies a current annual physical examination on the patient in question; this rule has been suspended for now, and we may be able to help patients with telemedicine for whom there is not a current VCPR. However, cats are less transparent and more inscrutable than dogs when it comes to physical illness, so telemedicine may not be a useful option for feline patients in many cases. You are welcome to inquire about this; it will be the doctor’s discretion regarding whether or not telemedicine will be a useful modality for your cat’s particular concerns.
TODAY’S INSPIRATION:
I was sad one day and went for a walk;
I sat in a field.
A rabbit noticed my condition and
came near.
It often does not take more than that to help at times—
to just be close to creatures who
are so full of knowing,
so full of love
though they don’t
chat,
They just gaze with
their
marvelous understanding.
Our pet animals and some wild animals as well are currently “noticing our condition,” and are aware on some level that their two-legged friends are currently suffering. They are here for us in this time of “social distancing” from other humans, so spend some time with your cat (or dog or rabbit) today! This poem was written over 400 years ago by the Spanish poet and mystic Juan de Yepes (aka St. John of the Cross, but nothing could be more contemporary for those of us who appreciate the friendship of animals in troubled times.
Remember to check out this link: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/can-pets-contract-coronavirus-humans-or-vice-versa.
