North Texas veterinarians get close to furry patients, socially distance from owners
When long-time veterinarian Scott Mellina sees dogs and cats, he has made big changes in how he conducts his medical practice because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mellina, who owns the Mellina Animal Hospital near Fort Worth’s cultural district, described how the public is no longer allowed inside of the clinic because of social distancing, and his employees meet pet owners in the parking lot and bring their animals inside.
When Mellina needs to communicate with people about their furry companions, he does so by phone.
“We are not allowing anybody (the public) in the clinic at all. We are wearing gloves and masks to get the pets from people’s vehicles to bring them inside of the clinic. We are constantly washing our hands,” he said.
Mellina said he communicates with pet owners by phone, and many clients text photos to show him what is going on with their animals.
Other local veterinarians describe taking similar steps to protect themselves, their employees and their patients.
Veterinarian Judd Johnston of the Towne Center Animal Hospital in the Hurst-Colleyville area said he also changed his practice so that his employees meet people at their cars to bring their pets into the clinic.
“Our clients call us when they arrive. We get the pet’s history over the phone, and I discuss treatment over the phone. I miss the face to face contact. Interaction is one of my biggest things. We’re here for the pets, and we’re here for their owners,” he said.
The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), based in Austin, also issued guidelines for best practices during COVID-19.
Chris Copeland, TVMA executive director, said in an email to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that most clinics are operating in the state, but they are cutting nonessential services and offering curbside services to minimize contact between clients and clinic employees.
Copeland added that there are concerns about shortages of professional protection equipment at some veterinary clinics, but they are also encouraged to donate the equipment to human hospitals if they can.
Mellina said he has an adequate supply of PPE, and does not plan on ordering more to allow additional availabitily for hospitals.
Financial concerns
While Mellina continues to care for animals, he is concerned about the financial fallout because his clinic no longer does grooming or bathing since they are not considered essential services, and few are boarding their animals because no one is traveling.
He also sees fewer clients because of social distancing.
Johnson said his business is operating at about 60 percent of capacity.
Johnston said unless there is a major emergency, he is focusing on wellness care and vaccinations. “Coronavirus is here, but so is parvo,” Johnston said.