Urgent Advice and Recommendations for All BC Veterinary Practices re COVID-19, from CVMA-Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter

COVID-19 information for veterinarians, their staff members,

and clients ( updated March 24, 2020 to include Advice adn Recommendations) .

The Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter, in response to calls from government, veterinarians, and

veterinary practices, has issued

"Advice and Recommendations for BC Veterinarians."

This 3-page best practices document

is our way of helping every veterinarian in BC to continue to provide necessary veterinary care while reducing the spread of COVID-19.

We are the Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter and this is our promise to you:

One email with current, accurate COVID-19 news, all hyperlinked (no need to scroll to older emails). We will update and re-send this email as additional information comes available, with all NEW news at the top.
Chapter website updated continually so you can rely on what you read there (https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/sbcv/news.aspx)
Board and staff working 7 days a week, keeping up-to-date
Information in our emails is copied to our website, accessible to the public and your clients
An updated Facebook page you can link to (or share posts from) with your clients and colleagues (@BCVeterinariansChapter)

CAUTIONARY MESSAGE : We are being contacted about news and social media posts from BC veterinarians which contain inaccurate, outdated, or unclear information that can-- and is --being misinterpreted. It helps if we all focus on proven and reliable COVID-19 sources. One of the best sources of information is the provincial CVMA-SBCV Chapter (along with the national CVMA). The BC Chapter's director Dr. Christiane Armstrong sits on the national CVMA-CCVR COVID-19 working group. Emerging news and best practices from this group are quickly shared with veterinarians. We will begin reaching out to media to provide accurate and consistent messaging about COVID-19 and animals this week. You can help by referring media to the Chapter (604.406.3713 or cvma-sbcv@cvma-acmv.org ), and referring clients to any of the sources we list on our website.

Chapter Communications with Government, Human Health, Chief Veterinarian, and CVBC

Fighting for Essential Service Designation

We have informed authorities that veterinary services must be considered essential for the protection of the public and of the animals, and we've gathered other regions who have already declared vet services as essential (PEI, Ontario, Nova Scotia, San Francisco, New York State).

Read our letter here.

Informing Human Healthcare About Ventilators

We are aware that some clinics have multiple ventilators capable of use on adult humans. We have advised the Provincial Health Officer that these exist and we offer our cooperation in trying to identify the clinics that have them. Read our letter here.

Asking for Consideration Re: Masks and Gloves

We have not made any progress on this request. We were hoping to source some supplies for veterinarians, and we will continue to try. Until we are successful, please follow the best advice we have found, from Dr. Scott Weese, by clicking here .

Requesting Clarification on Telemedicine

We are in communication with the CVBC asking for some clarity on its recent announcement about telemedicine. We have shared with the College some emerging announcements from other jurisdictions on the relaxation of telemedicine rules especially around prescribing. We will keep members up-to-date on the response from the College and u ntil then, the CVBC info is here.

Taking Care of Yourself

COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool

Worried you might have contracted the virus? Try this BC-developed self assessment tool by clicking here.

COVID-19 and Anxiety

Worry and anxiety are quite naturally a part of our human reaction to this pandemic. There are resources which might be helpful to you, available here.

Veterinarian Help

The CVBC maintains a service for registrants through Homewood Health. The Employee and Family Assistance Program is absolutely confidential (the College will not know you have called). Please call them if you need them: 1.800.663.1144 or click here.

Best Practices For Veterinary Practices and Staff

Flow Chart for Veterinarians and Staff

Click this link (or see below) for a useful flow chart to help your staff stay safe while continuing to see animals.

Adapting Your Practice

There are many adaptations your practice can make now to reduce the spread of the virus. If you have not yet implemented your social distancing and sanitizing program, please start now. If you are only trying some of these changes, you might want to add more right away. Please click here.

What To Tell Your Clients

Your clients have questions and are worried.You can tell them t here is currently no evidence that domestic animals, including dogs and cats, can become sick with this new coronavirus. You can say there is no evidence that pets or other domestic animals can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to people. Click here for a quick Q & A to help you to educate and calm your clients.

Second Dog Positive for SARS-CoV-2

Your clients might be asking about their pets and COVID-19.If they ask about the second dog testing positive, please share this information with them.

What is CFIA Saying about food safety?

If you want to know the latest about food safety and our food supply, or animals in general, and COVID-19, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has an informative page on both food safety and on animals available here.

BCCDC Information for Veterinarians

Here is some great advice from the province's public health veterinarians directly for veterinarians.This document lists only one dog testing positive for COVID when there are now two. We will update this resource as available.

BCCDC Information for Pet Owners

This document lists only one dog testing positive for COVID when there are now two. We will update this resource as available. Still, this advice will let your clients know what they can do to reduce their risk factors.

Advice for Pet Owners Re: COVID-19

Click here for a good infographic for pet owners needing veterinary care

Economic and Financial Information

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

The Federal website contains information for individuals and businesses that focus on financial assistance (such as EI sick benefits or economic programs), and is available by clicking here.

Provincial Support and Information

BC has a single website with links to all the information you need to be aware of, including provincial health orders by clicking here.

Other COVID-19 Resources

Production of Animal Health Products

Here’s the latest news from CAHI, the Canad ian Animal Health Institute, which represents the developers, manufacturers and distributors of animal pharmaceuticals, biologics, feed additives, veterinary health products, and animal pesticides in Canada. To date, CAHI has not identified any shortages, disruptions or delays in production for animal health products in relation to COVID-19. Read their release here.

Environmental Survival

How long can the virus stay on surfaces, and what is the evidence for the environment as a source of SARS-CoV-2 exposure? Please click here.

Livestock Producers and Horse Owners

There have not been any reports of livestock being infected by COVID-19 anywhere to date. However, livestock producers should follow normal biosecurity measures as always. This includes limiting visitors or workers who may have traveled to, or been in contact with, someone from an affected area. Click here or here for more information.

Provincial CVMA-SBCV Chapter COVID-19 WebsiteQUICK LINK

National CVMA COVID-19 WebsiteQUICK LINK

We thank and are grateful to the following for their generosity in sharing information:

Dr. Scott Weese, wormsandgermsblog.com; Dr. Erin Fraser and Dr. Brian Radke, BC's public health veterinarians; Dr. Jane Pritchard, BC's Chief Veterinary Officer; Dr. Stacey Thomas, A/Registrar, College of Veterinarians of BC; the BC Centre for Disease Control; and the BC Ministry of Agriculture.