Mosman Vet COVID-19 Guidelines
At Mosman Vet, we will continue to prioritise the safety and health of our staff, clients and patients throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. We want to make it simple for your pet to receive their usual high level of veterinary care with us.
As the advice around COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, we are adapting to ensure we can continue to provide outstanding service to you and your pets while reducing the risk of transmission. At this point in time, Mosman Vet remains open for our regular hours, with our regular staff. We are constantly monitoring the advice and recommendation of the appropriate authorities to alter procedures, where necessary, to provide the maximum care for our patients and their owners.
Our staff are diligently maintaining a high level of hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission. This includes regularly disinfecting communal surfaces, hand washing and sanitising, social distancing from other staff and clients, and keeping away from work if they are sick. We have strict policies in place around these matters, and it is important to everyone at Mosman Vet that our clients feel safe when they visit.
Your Appointment at Mosman Vet
We would appreciate your help in keeping the number of people attending appointments to a minimum, ideally one owner per visit, to reduce the quantity of people in the hospital. This is to try and help with social distancing both in our reception and in the consult rooms.
If you would prefer to wait in your car before your appointment, simply let our reception team know, and we will call you when the vet is ready to see your pet.
Hand sanitiser is available at reception, and we have soap and sinks in both consult rooms to thoroughly wash your hands. We can also provide you with a face mask during your visit if necessary. If you have any respiratory symptoms, we ask politely that you wear this mask at all times while in our reception or consult rooms.
One last point…
If you have traveled in the last 14 days, been in contact in the last 14 days with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you have been advised to self-quarantine, we kindly ask that you stay at home and call us on (02) 9960 2856 if you need our help. Thank you for your cooperation, which will allow us to continue to provide the dedicated veterinary care and customer service you have come to expect from our clinic.
COVID-19 FAQs
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that infect birds and mammals, including humans. They are often associated with the common cold, bronchitis and pneumonia, and can also affect the gut. The virus that causes COVID-19 is also a coronavirus and likely originated from a wildlife reservoir. Canine coronavirus, which can cause diarrhoea, and feline coronavirus, which can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), have been seen by veterinarians for many years. They do not cause infections in humans. These coronaviruses are not associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick with COVID-19?
As the outbreak continues, a number of pet owners will be placed in quarantine, either with confirmed COVID-19 infection or due to exposure. We know that your pet is part of your family and you will want them to have the same level of protection and care as any other family member. Current information suggests there is no apparent risk to you or your pet from being in quarantine with you. However, we do advise all pet owners continue to practice appropriate hand hygiene before and after handling their pet, their food and washing food/water bowls. At no stage should pet owners do anything that may compromise the welfare of their pets. We suggest minimising close contact with your pet during this time, such as hugging, face to face contact or sleeping on your bed.
Can COVID-19 infect pets?
There have been reports from Hong Kong that a dog owned by a patient with COVID-19 has tested positive to the presence of the virus in its nose and mouth. This seems to be a false positive, as the dog’s subsequent swabs and blood tests have been negative. At this stage there is no evidence that pet dogs or cats are a source of infection to other animals or humans. We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide updated information as it becomes available.
What do I do if I am in quarantine or self-isolation and my pet is unwell?
If you are in quarantine, do not break quarantine to take your pet to the vet even if your pet is unwell. By doing this you will put your veterinarian and staff at risk of infection.
Ring Mosman Vet on (02) 9960 2856 first and ask for advice. If your pet needs to be seen, your veterinarian will be able to work with you to ensure your pet will receive the care they need, while keeping themselves and their staff safe from COVID-19 infection. If you require a house call, please let our staff know you are under quarantine before we arrive.
Posted on 17 March 2020
Last updated on 2 April 2020
Tagged with: COVID-19 Updates
