Covid-19 Updates
Updated: October 1, 2021
As per current CDC recommendations, we are requiring that everyone entering the building wear a mask, covering both their mouth and nose, unless receiving at least two vaccines with completion 2 weeks prior to your pet’s appointment. However, if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or any general illness that could be transmitted to our staff and clients, regardless of your vaccination status, we ask that you stay home or wear a mask at all times in the building or when an employee approaches your vehicle, covering both your mouth and nose. If you do not have a mask, we can supply you with one. If you are unable or unwilling to be masked while inside the hospital, or would like more than two persons to be present during your visit, we do still offer curbside service as an accommodation.
In busier times, we may ask that clients remain outside the building until you receive a telephone call or text from our staff for your pet’s exam to minimize the number of individuals in our facility at any one time. These “appointments” will be reserved for those pets who have already presented and have been triaged as “stable.”
Between the hours of midnight and 8:00 am we are offering curbside service only other than for services of humane euthanasia. If you are presenting with your pet between those times, please park in one of the spaces close to the door, including the “handycapped” spot and call (517) 708-2525 to let us know you have arrived and the vehicle you are driving. Please let us know in advance if your pet needs gurney assistance into our facility and when possible park in the “handycapped” spot closest to the ramp.
Following a “curbside service” examination where you remain outside, the veterinarian on staff and veterinary representative will call to obtain a history, discuss exam findings and recommendations, as well as discussion of an estimate of services and obtaining payment.
- Please do not visit if you have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, new loss of taste or smell) within the last ten days.
- If you or a member of your household are ill (any illness or symptoms of illness that may be transmitted to others) and have no one else to transport an urgently sick or injured pet,please telephone ahead at (517) 708-2525 so we may determine the safest way to help you and your pet. Our client services representative may ask that you stay in your vehicle for “curbside service” where we deem appropriate.
- Please limit the number of people accompanying your pet to the visit.When possible, leave other pet(s) not requiring care and people who are not immediately responsible for the pet’s care at home. This helps minimize individuals and other sources of contagions and minimize potential sources of exposure.
- We provide 24-hour service and close monitoring of our hospitalized patients. Regardless of COVID-19 precautions, we are more than happy to update you on your pet’s status and changing care plan, but in-hospital visitations are limited.
- We very much appreciate your patience! Between increasing new pet purchases and shelter adoptions, the 2020 COVID-19 pet boom has doubled to tripled cases across general, specialty, and emergency veterinary practices across the nation. To meet the demand, clinics and hospitals have tried hiring additional staff and many are forced to refuse patients. In addition, the current employment environment creates staffing shortages both in veterinarians and support staff. In short, the veterinary community just cannot keep up! Burnout and fatigue are an increasing concern–everyone in our profession is working beyond capacity at this point.
Please keep in mind that as an emergency hospital, we cannot foresee or control what walks through our door and when. We operate on a walk-in, first come, first seen basis, depending on the critical state of the presenting patient(s). All of our patients receive a full examination, many a full work-up of diagnostics (that take time from the staff and doctor interpreting those results), a thorough discussion of those results and understanding of the disease, and treatments of those conditions, followed by individually written discharges and dispensing of medications– all of which takes considerable time and multi-tasking for each and every patient walking through our door 24 hours, every day.
We are constantly, extremely busy with several inpatients, procedures, and even emergency surgeries in the back that many times, the public does not see, 24 hours a day. Because of this, it is hard to predict exactly how long wait times will be so we are forced to depend on customers who value flexibility that a walk-in schematic provides, and unfortunately, many times wait to see a vet because of this. This guarantees that a client will see a vet that same day as opposed to waiting days to months for an appointment at the regular vet.
Our staff has been working extremely hard under these unforeseen, difficult times in veterinary medicine from our opening day, just over a year ago within the times of this pandemic. Our emergency team works in a very stressful environment, where it is life or death for many of our patients. At GLVC, we value every single patient and client that we come into contact with and strive to provide the very best, compassionate care possible to each and every one.
Your patience and a kind word or a simple thank you will go a long way to your veterinary professionals or even your fellow (wo)man. We appreciate you trusting your beloved pet’s care and are honored to service the greater Lansing community for the past year.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Title: COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners
Author(s): Mark Rishniw, BVSc, PhD, DACVIM (SA-IM), DACVIM (CA)
