The safety of our patients, clients, and team is our primary concern.
To minimize the risk of contagion and spread of COVID-19, it is important to practice social distancing for your pets as well:
At this time, there is no evidence that dogs and cats can transmit the virus or get sick from it.
To date, two dogs (Hong Kong) and one cat (Belgium) have been infected with the virus, meaning they tested positive for it at least once. Each lived with a person with COVID-19, and none developed clinical signs of the virus. The cat was ill from other causes according to the treating veterinarians and made a full recovery. In all three cases the virus was transmitted from human to animal.
There is currently no vaccine to protect our pets against this type of coronavirus.
At this time, there is no evidence that dogs and cats can be infectious.
This means that even if pets can potentially be infected themselves (test positive), they cannot necessarily transmit the virus to humans or other animals.
Your pet does not pose a particular danger to you or others. The risk of contracting the virus from an animal is remote. The only thing to keep in mind is that the virus can settle on your pet and survive for a while, just like on any other surface.
For example, if you are a carrier and you sneeze on your dog’s head and then someone pets him, the virus could pass from your saliva to your dog to the person petting him.
That is why it’s critical to practice social distancing between the people/pets in your household and any other living creatures.
Just as we need to practice social distancing between humans, you should limit contact with dogs and cats during the period you are infected. These are the current recommendations until we know more about the virus.
So, when possible, ask another family member to care for your pet while you are sick.
If you must continue caring for your pet while you’re sick, avoid petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, being licked by, or sharing food with your pet. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling and wear a mask. We also recommend proceeding with caution and avoiding contact between your pet and other animals.
With the situation changing rapidly, it is important to contact your veterinary clinic before leaving home to find out about specific safety measures. This will allow your veterinary team to determine whether your pet needs care promptly and advise you of any special precautions.
All veterinary team members are committed to keeping their animal patients healthy, and to protecting the public and the overall health of the community.
To limit the risk of spread and protect our employees and clients, it is very important to tell us if you are experiencing the following symptoms before an appointment:
If your pet requires urgent care, your clinic will put special measures in place to provide the care needed.
Have you traveled outside Canada in the last 14 days? It is important to mention this when you call before your appointment or if you wish to make an appointment.
Have you been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or someone with related symptoms? Please notify your veterinary team.
Please make an extra effort to think carefully about the people you have been in contact with to ensure that you do not put our teams and other clients at risk.
The situation is changing fast, and your veterinary team may put special measures in place quickly to protect everyone’s health and safety.
Some veterinary facilities have an animal-only access policy, which means that the team must meet you outside to pick up your pet or bring you the medications and products you need.
Veterinary professionals are doing everything they can to protect community health, and everyone must do their part and follow clinic recommendations!
If your veterinary team’s protocol allows you to enter the clinic, observe the limit of one person per pet. This reduces non-essential exposure for our teams, patients, and clients.
In most clinics, the only exception is for families accompanying a pet at the end of life for humane euthanasia (animal that must be relieved of suffering as soon as possible).
Your clinic has probably put up signs in various locations indicating the special measures in place for COVID-19. If you need to enter the clinic, pay close attention to the instructions posted on the front door, in the waiting room, in the appointment room, at the counter, or in the shop.
You’ve heard it over and over—handwashing is now an essential hygiene measure. Wash your hands as soon as you arrive at the clinic and when you leave.
In the current situation, many people have chosen to work from home. Now that you’re with Spot all day, he may think you’re available to pet and play with him any time. It’s any dog’s dream! We know you’d love to snuggle with him all day long, but you need to concentrate on your work. So we’ve come up with some tips to help you work without having to toss his ball every 5 minutes.
Read our blog post about it.
In the current situation, many people have chosen to work from home. While some more independent cats won’t mind, others will be thrilled to spend full days with their favorite humans. We know you’d love to pet Kitty all day long, but you need to concentrate on your work. So we’ve come up with a few tips to help you work and prevent her from meowing at your office door during your conference call!
Read our blog post about it.
Are the kids at home until further notice? Are you working fewer hours? Looking for new activities to combat the isolation? Here are some things you can do as a family or on your own that everyone will enjoy, including Kitty!
The best thing about all these activities? Most can be done with materials you already have around the house! We know that having to stay home requires a lot of imagination and creativity, and we’re here to help.
Are the kids at home until further notice? Are you working fewer hours? Looking for new activities to combat the isolation? We have ideas for things you can do as a family or on your own that everyone will enjoy, including Spot!
The best thing about all these activities? Most can be done with materials you already have around the house! We know that having to stay home requires a lot of imagination and creativity, and we’re here to help.
You may be used to bringing your pet to the vet or groomer for things like nail trimming or bathing. But now that only essential services are open in Quebec due to the pandemic, you’ll have to tackle these tasks yourself. Don’t worry! We’re here to help and tell you everything you need to know.