[Tlou97]

Hello,

My pup is due his second vaccination in 2 weeks, I understand that some vets aren’t counting puppy vaccinations as an essential during the lockdown but some are? Is there anywhere I can get clarification on this or is it down to each vets preference?

thanks!

 

[LeoRose]

You will need to contact your vet for how they are handling things. I know that a lot are restricting services and/or have new protocols in place for handling the flow of traffic and and out of their clinics.

 

[laurelsmom]

The vaccines are essential. Most likely your veterinarian will need you to bring your smartphone and call from your car when you get to the building. If you don't have a smartphone, you will just need to get the attention of the receptionist by waving through the window and making silly faces.

The vet tech will come out of the building to get your puppy, who should be in a carrier if you have one. You may not be allowed in the building if it is not large enough to allow Social Distancing. A vet tech will bring the carrier, with the pup in it, to your car. They would appreciate it if you could pay with a credit card instead of cash.

You should wash your hands as soon as you get home and then wash them again after sanitizing the carrier. If you do not have supplies to do so, you should leave the carrier in your garage or outside for three days. If the pup has a decent recall or if you have a fenced yard, I would err on the side of caution and not take the carrier into your house.

Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to protect your veterinary practice by wearing a mask and gloves when you drop off your pup. Please assume that you are an asymptomatic carrier whenever interacting with the low wage employees we are all depending upon right now.

You will need to reschedule your puppy's appointment for a thorough exam with your veterinarian.

We need to not mess this up. If veterinarians are considered "unessential businesses" then a lot of elderly dogs and dogs with chronic health issues are going to die. To be bluntly honest, so are a lot of people because if my dog started seizing or needed to be humanely euthanized, I don't think I'd really care all that much about infecting random strangers in the heat of the moment.

Some of us seniors and high risk people don't have anybody except our dogs.

 

[Tlou97]

Thankyou for your responses!

It has been deemed as non-essential today unfortunately , we have rang around different practices to see and they’re all saying the same thing! A little concerning, I’m a first time pup mum and we don’t know how long the lockdown will be for, we plan to lead train in the garden etc
and play different sounds during play time to get him used to these, fingers crossed he can get them soon, will have to start the full course again though as he will be past his 4 weeks from first vac!

If anyone has any other advise on how to socialise from the home, it would be much appreciated

 

[laurelsmom]

I would try to get his vaccines from the Farm Store or else online. There are more experienced dog people here who can help you with the logistics of that, but it's not the most unusual thing in the world. Sometimes people have unexpected financial setbacks right when vaccinations are due. Parvo can kill puppies very quickly and spread through communiuties like wildfire. I've personally lost two beautiful Weimereiner/Brittany crosses to distemper. You don't want to mess around with these diseases.

If you have time, you could also try calling other veterinarians in your area. I wasn't able to get my dog's regular anti-itch injection from the holistic vet she usually goes to, but another practice was able to mail me an oral medication that will get her through for awhile.

Dogs are very good at living in the moment and children of all species are resilient.

 

[LeoRose]

Well that sucks. Just be careful about letting him walk where other dogs have been, but let him see things in the world. If nothing else, sit on the front steps and let him see the world.

I'm not sure what the laws are concerning purchasing vaccines and giving them yourself are in England, but if you aren't super comfortable with the idea, don't worry about it.