March 30, 2020
Hello again to our Valued Clients of Aloha Dog and Cat Hospital,
We have been adapting daily to our new protocol of curbside service. We so appreciate all of you working with us on this! We have some new updates with regards to scheduling appointments, and some tips on trying to improve our curbside service to make it smoother and safer.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO LIMIT PUBLIC INTERACTION
The best way to keep our clients and staff safe during these next few weeks is to reduce the amount of close contact between our staff and our clients. By limiting exposure, we increase the likelihood of being able to stay open and continue to serve your and our community, and we do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.
NEW HOURS
Starting Monday, March 30, we will have new clinic hours from 9am to 4pm Monday-Saturday. We will keep you updated when we return to regular hours. You can always check our website for current clinic hours of operation and updates on our COVID-19 policies. http://www.alohadogandcat.com
EXAM SCREENING CHANGE AND TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS
Requests for appointments of a less urgent nature may first be asked to schedule a phone consultation with one of our doctors. Prior to the consultation, we ask that you send a picture or video of the signs and symptoms your pet is having, if you have the means to do so. Please send those emails to: consult@alohadogandcat.com with your pet’s first and last name in the subject.
Our phone/telemedicine consultation fee is $50, and if, during the call, we determine an in-office visit is necessary, we will charge a discounted office call fee. Right now, our telemedicine options are limited to phone and email, but we are looking at other new options as well, and will keep you updated.
The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board has relaxed the definition of our client/patient relationship to give us temporary ability to perform exams and prescribe medications in a phone/telemedicine setting.
TOP TEN CURBSIDE SERVICE TIPS AND WALKTHROUGH OF HOW IT WORKS:
1. We now have numbered spots in front of our building. When you arrive, please call our front desk to let us know you are here and which numbered spot you have parked in. 503-649-5611
2. If possible, please try to park at least 1 spot away from other cars to increase our compliance with social distancing and make it easier to get pets out of your vehicle.
3. Please make sure your cell phone is on and not silenced. Please try to not make other calls during your visit with us so we can have direct communication with you ASAP. We have six phone lines, five of which you may not recognize, so please answer all calls during that time. If you do not have a phone, let us know by knocking on the front door, we will come out to you and we can determine a plan.
4. After checking in, the staff will alert one of the doctors that you are here and the doctor will call you to talk about your concerns about your pet and get a history of what has been going on.
5. Please have your pet ready after calling to check in with a secure leash and collar or harness or in a secure carrier. We will also have slip leads hanging outside-that are washed and clean as well as a bucket to put them in afterward so we may clean them between patients. You are welcome to get one to have ready to slip on your pet when our staff member arrives at your vehicle.
6. One of our staff will come out to get your pet. When our staff member comes to the front of your vehicle, please help by getting them out of the car for us. Please be mindful that we will try to maintain the recommended 6 feet distance between us as much as possible. (We know we will have to be close for a few seconds while we hand off the leashes). We will place one of our slip leads onto dogs for extra security and take them into the clinic. For pets in carriers, please help by getting them out of the car and placing the carrier on the ground for our staff to pick up.
7. After the exam the doctor will call you to make recommendations and a plan.
8. After any treatments are done, or medications given, your pet will be brought back to you. Please get out of your vehicle to help our staff be able to hand them off to you easier. Again, trying to maintain the 6 feet of recommended social distancing as much as possible.
9. Our front staff will finish the visit by contacting you one last time to arrange payment over the phone.
10. If you are here to pick up medication or food, just call us when you arrive and we will bring it out to you. For heavy items, if you would like us to put it in your car, please open your hatch or trunk and step away so we may just place it in there with maintaining as much social distancing as possible.
WELLNESS VISITS:
For at least the month of April, as directed by our governor to “Stay Home, Save Lives,” we are asking that you postpone annual wellness exams and vaccinations for our younger, healthier pets.
-For healthy younger dogs and cats, we are asking you postpone annual wellness and vaccination appointments until June. The one exception would be if you are due for a Rabies vaccine, we would like to keep those up to date. If our timeline changes, we will let you know.
–New Puppy and Kitten exams and progress vaccine appointments are still very important and will continue to be scheduled. This includes 1-year booster vaccines for young dogs and cats. Plus, those puppies and kittens give us a hearty morale boost! 🙂
-If your pet is older or experiencing health concerns, appointments are recommended. We are not postponing senior wellness exams at this time as our senior pets often need more care and their medical needs often are recognized at their wellness exams.
CURBSIDE CHECK-IN SYMPTOM-FREE REQUIREMENT:
IF you are coming to our clinic, even for curbside appointments, you must be able to answer NO to the following questions:
1-In the last 2 weeks have you traveled out of state to an area of known local spread of COVID-19?
2- Have you come into close contact (within 6 feet) with someone who has a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the last 14 days?
3-Do you have a fever (greater than 100.4) or have symptoms of lower respiratory disease such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or a sore throat?
If you answer YES to any of the above, we ask that you have a family member or friend who can bring your pet to the hospital for you, or pick up medications or food for you.
IF you are coming into the clinic for an appointment please look over the tips below to help us serve you better and help keep our team safe during your visit with us.
Thank you all again for your patience, understanding and as always for being our wonderful clients. We wish you all health and safety during this time. If you have any questions regarding our changes to our service do not hesitate to call or email.
The Team at Aloha Dog and Cat Hospital