With recommendations to just stay home for the foreseeable future, pet owners everywhere are worried about vet care.
Should we skip our dog’s yearly routine checkup and vaccinations?
What if our dogs get really sick and need emergency medical care?
We’ll address all of these questions and more below, so keep reading.
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Handling Vet Care During This Crisis
During this time, health officials are recommending that we all stay indoors for at least two weeks.
The “stay at home” recommendations we’re all following right now make sense for what we’re facing.
However, there’s no denying that it presents a whole new set of problems.
Of course, the financial strain is obvious, but there are other, less obvious issues that arise with staying indoors for an extended period.
If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably already thought of it more than once – no vet care.
This makes sense to help keep us all safe, but as dog owners, most of us are probably already wondering what we can do in the event that our dog needs medical attention.
That’s why we’re going to discuss some ways that you can help your dog in the event that he needs medical attention during this time.
Medical Attention for Your Dog During Self-Seclusion
Here at Dogvills, we know our stuff when it comes to your dog.
That being said, I want to make it abundantly clear that this post is only to help owners find resources outside the home for pet medical treatment.
It’s always better to have a professional evaluate and treat your dog. In addition, we hope to make that process easier for you.
We are in no way suggesting that we are the best source of information when it comes to the medical emergency happening in the world right now.
We also do not recommend, endorse, or put forth anything that is designed to treat any illness, period.
Nor are we here to make you worry even more during an already-stressful time.
As you’ll see in this post, we are simply interested in ensuring that you have the tools you need to take care of your pooch during this time.
Got it? Good. Now, let’s get started.
Stay Calm
First and foremost, stay calm. If your dog isn’t sick or injured, don’t stress over the possibility that he might need medical attention.
Dogs are very sensitive to our demeanor. If you’re walking around constantly worried, your dog will be, as well.
As the old saying goes, “don’t borrow trouble.”
If your dog becomes sick or injured, again, remain calm.
You’ll need your wits to help you find medical attention for your guy.
There are a series of steps that you can take to find him the medical attention that he needs.
Contact Your Vet and Local Shelters
The first thing you should do if your dog becomes ill during the self-seclusion period is to contact your vet and local shelters.
See if they are even open during this time (many are, as they’re deemed “essential” businesses).
If they are, ask about a video appointment or even a “drive-through” appointment.
I live in a suburb of Chicago, and I know of at least one veterinarian’s office that is offering the “drive-through” option.
Basically, the owner brings their pet to the door, and a technician wearing a mask takes the dog.
The owner stays outside to limit human contact. I’ve also heard that one or two vets are offering video appointments.
There are no national standards for this sort of thing, so the only way you’ll be able to find out is by contacting every vet and shelter in your area.
Hopefully, at least one of them will offer some sort of option for care that limits contact.
Some vets may even be holding regular or limited business hours to address patients who are in need of care immediately.
The decision to take your dog into your vet is entirely up to you.
Again, we at Dogvills are offering no medical advice of any sort regarding the current situation in the world. Taking that step is entirely your call.
Online Resources
Online resources are another excellent tool to help you keep your pup healthy during the self-seclusion period.
There are a number of sites that offer both general and specific health information about dogs that you can use during this time.
Again, these shouldn’t replace veterinarian care, especially if you’re dealing with an emergency.
WebMD Pets
WebMD Pets offers a variety of information and guides centered around keeping your dog healthy.
These guides range from grooming and diet to an especially helpful page on common conditions that dogs may have.
It’s an excellent resource for any dog owner, especially now.
JustAnswer Veterinary
JustAnswer Veterinary is a site that offers on-demand chats with board-certified veterinarians 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Their service offers video chat appointments for any issue your dog may have.
Ask A Veterinarian Online
Ask A Veterinarian Online is another video chat veterinarian service that you can use during this time.
The site has hundreds of board-certified vets that can help you with almost any problem you have with your dog.
ASPCA Poison Control Center
ASPCA Poison Control Center offers guides to poisonous plants, foods, and household products.
They also have a toll-free number to help your if your dog has potentially ingested a poisonous substance. (888) 426-4435
Your Dog Can Stay Healthy During Self-Seclusion
At this point, the length for self-seclusion has been said to be about two weeks, so hopefully, you’ll have no issues.
However, if your dog does need medical attention during this period, remember to remain calm and carefully assess your options.
Call local vets and shelters to see if they can help.
If they can’t the above online resources will be an invaluable tool in helping you through your dog’s issue.
