6 Tips to Help Your Pet’s Curbside Vet Visit
Covid-19 has put a strain on so many people. Our lives have been flipped upside down and we’re having to navigate life’s normal errands in whole new ways. I know a lot of people were hoping to just wait out any of their pet’s maintenance care until they can enter the office, but a year in and nothing changing soon, you might have to use the new veterinary curbside visits. Here’s some tips to help you get by. As a veterinary technician I have been on the other side and hopefully can give you some insight.
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1. Be prepared to wait.
This process isn’t fast or easy for anyone. There’s a lot going on inside that building to get your pet the care they need. Not to mention, the care other pets need. It might be a while. Please, reschedule if you have to pick your kids up the next hour or left dinner in the oven. Bring snacks and water, especially if its a little warm out. If you have the kids with you, try to have some car activities for them. No one wants you waiting longer then you have to, but just be ready to sit tight for a bit.
2. Its called curbside not full service.
Ok, this might seem a bit harsh, but unless your veterinarian office gives you different instructions, you need to get your pet out of the car. Most offices will agree there’s a lot of safety issues with us reaching in your vehicle. First, It doesn’t help us decrease our exposure to potential Covid-19. Second, most dogs don’t respond well to a stranger trying to pull them out of their car. Don’t make the vet techs have to walk out in the rain, if curbside wasn’t a thing, you’d be getting wet. It really just comes down to being considerate of the people providing you a service. Of course, if your disabled or elderly, let the veterinary tech know. I’m sure they’ll help you in anyway they can.
3. Plan Ahead
Similar to being prepared to wait, there’s a few things to keep in mind. Your phone needs to be with you and charged. This is going to be your form of communication with the staff and, most likely, the Veterinarian. It’s a pretty important piece to the processes. Also, write things down. If you have many concerns, write them down. You can give it to the staff and it can help them check all your boxes. It’s not a bad idea to do this even when things are not curbside.
4. Make Sure Your Pet’s Gear is Secure
Double check your dog’s collar is tight and they’re not slipping it off. Make sure your cat’s carrier isn’t going to come open or fall apart. The last thing we want is the door swinging open or the collar slipping off. Sometimes dogs don’t take off, sometimes they do. Cats almost always do and good luck getting them back.
5. Be Honest About Your Pet
Some people have a hard time admitting that their pet can be a bit spooky. That they don’t love strangers, or they’ve nipped at someone in the past. We really need to know what you know, about your pets behavior. It’s for our safety and saves you a potential big headache. If you are really nervous for your pet to have a visit without you, try talking to your veterinarian. They could possibly get your pet some sedatives before the appointment. Also, some Vets in special situations will work with the pet outside with you. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
6. Be Patient
Oh yes, its worth saying again. So many people in the medical community are exhausted right now, us in the veterinary world are no exception. Unlike your primary doctor, most vet clinics see emergencies, do surgeries, and have life and death situations going on that can’t always be predicted. Kindness and patience is going to be what gets us through this.
I wanted to add, if you are euthanizing your pet, most clinics will let at least 2 people in. If you are in this difficult time, don’t let this fear stop you from easing your pets pain.
