Vet closing

[FiF]

Our vet has effectively closed down appointments apart from emergencies and, here's the question, stopped doing all vaccinations, so how do we deal with that?

Himself will need booster shots somewhere end of July, so there's a chance that things might be up and running a bit better by then. But if not, what's the advice on what's the best thing to do going forward in terms of activities and areas to be used, eg we're near rivers and canals so lepto is one issue but there's all the others.

Appreciate that once more than two weeks past booster date you then need to have the full course, but by then there will have been several months worth of animals not up to date with shots, not to mention wildlife. Suppose if we are still in the deepest mire by then we might be in lockdown restricted to own garden which will be interesting as dog resolutely refuses to poop in his territory.

And before we go any further, as the OP think I'm allowed to say this, well going to say it anyway, all of the antivaxx lot not welcome. Just keep it zipped please and move on. Sorry but there, it's said.

[Mort7]

You can go to another vet. You'll have documentation to show which vaccinations have been given and when, so it should be straightforward assuming you can find a vet nearby who is happy to oblige. The Statutory Instrument relating to the lockdown specifically lists visits to a vet as being a reasonable excuse for a journey, so you'll be within the law.

Edit-Link here. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/made

See section 6 (Restrictions of Movement) in conjunction with paragraph 38 of schedule 2.

Edited by Mort7 on Wednesday 1st April 13:50

[DuraAce]

Go elsewhere.
My cat had an operation yesterday so some vets are still working.

[SteBrown91]

Most vaccines are still working up to 18months from date done, we had an issue with our reactive dog who we had to spend several months doing socialisation appointments before we could do it. We were about 5 months late in the end but the vet assured us our dog was still vaccinated. I would imagine stuff will be opening up again by July-August so you should be fine.

[CAPP0]

Took one of mine to the vet today for an acute but not emergency issue. When we booked they asked us to wait in the street and call them upon arrival, then they came out, asked about his condition standing 2m apart outdoors, then they took him into the surgery, treated him, came back out and explained everything, then we phoned back in to pay after we got home.

Unusual but worked fine!

[Thevet]

We are now governed quite restrictively by RCVS guidelines due to coronavirus, meaning no small animal consultations except for emergencies. All vaccine boosters and 1st vaccines are now off for a minimum of 3 weeks, and the situation from on high will be reassessed then. All new puppies should be kept inside/garden until they can get a proper vaccination course to protect. Do not think that just because your dog/cat has gone a couple of weeks overdue for vaccination, that it will have no immunity, it won't. Also. we are expecting the vaccine makers to offer a vaccination "amnesty" with free 2nd part boosters, if not, then I will ensure our practice does anyway.
If you have urgent need of vet care, then all clinics should offer a service such as that described above, where there is minimal human contact. More phone consults are taking place to cover some of the concerns.
There is a large amount of repeat prescription meds and routine treatments being posted out, so that is an option for anyone needing a further supply of therapy. HTH in such demanding times

[rigga]

Interesting phone call to my local vet today. Need some flea and worm treatment, pay a monthly subscription, so there is no charge for these items.
Due to the current covid restrictions, they are operating as an emergency service only, no pop in visits, so will post out these items to me, OK I understand the need to restrict people into the building.
I also mentioned that currently my dog has an upset stomach, and would like to have some pro kolin paste as well, this is what they always seem to prescribe anyway. This will not be free and there will be a £9.90 postal charge for this, advise was to see how he goes over the next couple of days, if no better, then I would need to phone for an emergency consultation at £38, then probably pro kolin prescribed at cost, and I could arrange to pop down (I live 5 mins away) and someone by arrangement would meet me at the door, and hand me the paste.
Now if they could do that then, why not now with the treatment I currently want?
And £38 for a phone call!!

Money for old rope.




Ordered some off amazon arriving tomorrow.

[undred orse]

I’m a bit worried as our hound is diabetic and is injected twice a day. We’ve got about 2 months supply of insulin but I’m worried if the vet closes - there is only 1 vet there - or if there are insulin supply problems. I suppose that I could go to another vet if need be but insulin supplies........

[Boosted LS1]

Only boosted any dog once. They self boost if walked after that as far as I know. In 40 years plus my dogs never had a problem. Same as me after I had my injections when I was a kid.

Lets see what Becs or Vets has to say.

[Boosted LS1]

These people sell all sorts of stuff and could be local. Lots cheaper then the vet that closed.

http://www.manorpharmacy.co.uk/

[Thevet]

undred orse said:

I’m a bit worried as our hound is diabetic and is injected twice a day. We’ve got about 2 months supply of insulin but I’m worried if the vet closes - there is only 1 vet there - or if there are insulin supply problems. I suppose that I could go to another vet if need be but insulin supplies........

Very unkiely that your vet will shut with no prospect of restarting business, but if they did go bankrupt then call another vet who you would choose as next option and explain that your vet has gone. I'm sure they can figure something out to keep you going. If not, email me and I'll get one of our small animal vets to have a chat/phone consult and we will post something out to you, It's only a temporary measure but animal welfare has to override some of the prescribing law in such a aituation.

[Thevet]

Boosted LS1 said:

Only boosted any dog once. They self boost if walked after that as far as I know. In 40 years plus my dogs never had a problem. Same as me after I had my injections when I was a kid.

Lets see what Becs or Vets has to say.

Self-boosting is an extremely unpredictable way of protecting your dog. It is only through vaccination that we have cut down the level of parvo and distemper in the dog population. The reason your kid vaccinations have lasted, is two fold, some vaccines do give lifelong immunity as do some infections (eg measles) and second but less significant is infections being predominantly confined to youth/childhood.
When parvo appeared in the 70/80s it hit every breed and age of dog, being as severe to them as maybe ebola is to us, so please don't assume that a primary course is enough for life. It's certainly better than none but I vaccinate my dogs probaly every 6-9 months as they often walk through the practice which still gets the odd case of parvo.

[bonerp]

I think my dog has pulled a nail and damaged between his toes in the meantime - looks raw.
Vet gave me some hibiscrub (30ml for £8 ffs) when I went in on Friday (2m kept outside) after sending photos and didn't even take a look at him, but I can't get near the area as he's in pain. I sent second set of photos yesterday and had no response. If I can't get a satisfactory answer today I'll be moving vets / ringing around at least to see who can do a proper examination. Last time he did this it had to be removed.

[undred orse]

Thevet said:

undred orse said:

I’m a bit worried as our hound is diabetic and is injected twice a day. We’ve got about 2 months supply of insulin but I’m worried if the vet closes - there is only 1 vet there - or if there are insulin supply problems. I suppose that I could go to another vet if need be but insulin supplies........

Very unkiely that your vet will shut with no prospect of restarting business, but if they did go bankrupt then call another vet who you would choose as next option and explain that your vet has gone. I'm sure they can figure something out to keep you going. If not, email me and I'll get one of our small animal vets to have a chat/phone consult and we will post something out to you, It's only a temporary measure but animal welfare has to override some of the prescribing law in such a aituation.

Thank you so much. Your offer means a lot to me and gives me a lot of comfort. If ever you need a favour in South Wales let me know.

[Dibble]

I was going to post and say I’d ask my GF (she’s a vet) because I know they’ve had some guidance from the RCVS, which I *think* was that non-urgent stuff shouldn’t be happening, but it’s entirely feasible I wasn’t properly listening when she told me, so I’m not 100%.

I’d hate to give incorrect advice, but I see Thevet has popped up, so he will be much better placed and able to give correct and first hand advice. Whatever the case, I hope anyone needing stuff, routine or otherwise, can get it sorted. I’m Obviously very lucky to have My “own personal” vet on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even better is that the bloody ASBO Idiot dog adores her.

[FiF]

Thanks for all the various responses, we're lucky that our idiot absolutely loves going to the vet. Suspect like most retrievers it's the quality of the snacks that's the driving force.

Though he did have a bit of a traumatised expression after his visit for the snip. Plus gets a bit antsy with rectal temperature checks or any activity in that region. "Trust me I'm a doctor" doesn't wash with him apparently.

[rigga]

Unfortunately my dogs runny poo quickly developed into blood pouring from his bum Thursday morning, local vets operating emergency cases only, and phoning them directed me to their umbrella company (large vet chain) who were a little to my mind dismissive of the need to be seen.
Offered a phone consultation over 3 hours after the carpet ruining experience, which I thought was too long to wait, I'm no vet, but if I had blood pouring out of somewhere it shouldn't do, I'd be thinking the worst. So I rang another local vet who agreed to see him, wife dropped him off at the door, currently still there on a drip because he was so dehydrated, and various meds to combat the sickness and diarrhoea issue, ultrasound revealed no blockages, but thankfully blood tests have proved no pancreatic issues that the breed are known for.
Getting ill currently with all the measures in place is not a good thing, but you obviously can't time these things

Up to 1.5k and counting so far.

[moorx]

rigga said:

Unfortunately my dogs runny poo quickly developed into blood pouring from his bum Thursday morning, local vets operating emergency cases only, and phoning them directed me to their umbrella company (large vet chain) who were a little to my mind dismissive of the need to be seen.
Offered a phone consultation over 3 hours after the carpet ruining experience, which I thought was too long to wait, I'm no vet, but if I had blood pouring out of somewhere it shouldn't do, I'd be thinking the worst. So I rang another local vet who agreed to see him, wife dropped him off at the door, currently still there on a drip because he was so dehydrated, and various meds to combat the sickness and diarrhoea issue, ultrasound revealed no blockages, but thankfully blood tests have proved no pancreatic issues that the breed are known for.
Getting ill currently with all the measures in place is not a good thing, but you obviously can't time these things

Up to 1.5k and counting so far.

Poor dog. Hope he soon recovers.

[garythesign]

rigga said:

Unfortunately my dogs runny poo quickly developed into blood pouring from his bum Thursday morning, local vets operating emergency cases only, and phoning them directed me to their umbrella company (large vet chain) who were a little to my mind dismissive of the need to be seen.
Offered a phone consultation over 3 hours after the carpet ruining experience, which I thought was too long to wait, I'm no vet, but if I had blood pouring out of somewhere it shouldn't do, I'd be thinking the worst. So I rang another local vet who agreed to see him, wife dropped him off at the door, currently still there on a drip because he was so dehydrated, and various meds to combat the sickness and diarrhoea issue, ultrasound revealed no blockages, but thankfully blood tests have proved no pancreatic issues that the breed are known for.
Getting ill currently with all the measures in place is not a good thing, but you obviously can't time these things

Up to 1.5k and counting so far.

Feel for you.

Hope this is sorted quickly

[rigga]

Been a strange weekend, working and returning home to a dog less house is not a nice feeling, desperately miss my welcome home woofs. He's still on meds, bleeding has stopped thankfully, but has been throwing up his food over the last couple of days, changed meds yesterday, and a slight improvement today and he's kept stuff down, were due to open him up tomorrow if there was no change, to get to the bottom of his issues.
Hoping morning phone call from the vets reveal some real change in the right direction, and he can come home soon, really missing my mate.