BROOKLYN HEIGHTS VETERINARY HOSPITAL COVID-19 STATUS UPDATE

In an effort to keep our community updated, we wanted to send an update concerning new information and changes related to COVID-19.

Significant Delays Ordering Through Chewy.com
Many of you have called and emailed expressing your frustration that your pets’ food and medications did not arrive in a timely manner when ordered though Chewy.com and other unassociated on-line pharmacy and food delivery services. While Brooklyn Heights Veterinary Hospital processes all requests as quickly as possible, Chewy.com and various other on-line fulfillment services have informed us that they are inundated with requests for food and medications resulting in significant delays. As such, right now we cannot recommend that time sensitive requests for medication or food go through Chewy.com or other on-line fulfillment services. Some of our food manufacturers have their own client delivery services that may help with inventory issues. Please feel free to reach out and we can assist with those as well.

We are more than happy to provide food and medication to you directly through the hospital and have managed to to keep most foods and medication available to our clients. You may also try our online pharmacy, which may be found here. It is easier for us to manage requests filled through the link above and their stock is unaffected. Please let us know if you have any difficulty requesting products through VetsFirstChoice. Promotions are available on their website.

Tech Appointment/Consultation Fee
While we understand that these are difficult and stressful times for all, we have incurred additional costs as a result of the increased use of PPE, cleaning supplies, and the demand for tech appointments. In order to properly ensure the safety of our patients, our clients, and our staff, tech appointments/consultations will now have a $35.00 fee associated with them.

Information Regarding COVID-19 and Pets
Many of you have reached out to Brooklyn Heights Veterinary Hopital after reading or hearing about the two cats and tiger who tested positive for COVID-19. As of April 23, 2020, the AVMA asserts that “at this point in time, there is also no evidence that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, can spread COVID-19 to people.”

The AVMA recommends the following:

• Animal owners without symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to practice good hygiene during interactions with animals. This includes washing hands before and after such interactions and when handling animal food, waste, or supplies.
• Do not let pets interact with people or other animals outside the household.
• Keep cats indoors, when possible, to prevent them from interacting with other animals or people.
• Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Avoid dog parks or public places where a large number of people and dogs gather.
• Until more is known about the virus, those ill with COVID-19 should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets. If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, then wear a cloth face covering; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them, and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
• At this point in time, there is no evidence to suggest that domestic animals, including pets and livestock, that may be incidentally infected by humans play a role in the spread of COVID-19.
• Routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is NOT recommended. Veterinarians are strongly encouraged to rule out other, more common causes of illness in animals before considering testing for SARS-CoV-2 (see additional information under “Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2”).
• Human outbreaks are driven by person-to-person transmission. Accordingly, we see no reason to remove pets from homes even if COVID-19 has been identified in members of the household, unless there is risk that the pet itself is not able to be cared for appropriately.

AVMA
“SARS-CoV-2 in Animals.” American Veterinary Medical Association, 23 Apr. 2020, www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19/sars-cov-2-animals-including-pets.