
Roadmaps out of lockdown for veterinary practices
25-Mar-2021 | COVID-19
We know, as a pet owner, you may be concerned about how to keep your pets safe and healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. Working with many animal health organisations we’ve produced guidance to support you to keep your pets safe and healthy at this time.
As lockdown restrictions across the UK ease, veterinary practices are beginning to transition towards providing a more normal range of services.
Although roadmaps out of lockdown have been issued across the nations of the UK, this does not mean that practices will be returning to offering a normal range of services straight away.
Each veterinary practice will be making this transition at their own pace, based on their available resources and the extent to which they can adapt their workplace or working practices in accordance with national and devolved legislation and local guidance.
Wherever you are based, please always call your veterinary practice first to arrange the best approach to meet your pet’s needs at this time.
Vets are working hard to balance animal health and welfare, public health, your safety and the safety of their teams. As always, decisions will vary between practices and in different parts of the country. We’re asking the public to respect their veterinary teams and understand that they are doing their very best in difficult circumstances.
If you’re a member of the public, you must wear a face covering in veterinary practices across the UK unless you’re exempt for age, health, or equality reasons. More information is available on the UK government website.
If you are exempt from wearing a face covering, please notify your veterinary practice when booking your appointment.
Vets are working hard to balance animal health and welfare, public health, your safety and the safety of their teams. We’re asking the public to respect their veterinary teams and understand that they are doing their very best in difficult circumstances.
Vets will risk assess each case to decide when vaccinations need to go ahead. These assessments will vary across the country due to local disease risks. They will also vary between clients due to individual circumstances.
We’re asking all animal owners to respect their vets’ clinical and professional judgement and be patient during this time. Read our statement on respecting your vet team during Covid-19.
As we change our behaviour during this coronavirus lockdown, animals can be affected too. This guidance on recognising changes in your pet’s behaviour will help you to identify behavioural changes and outline steps you can take to help your pet cope. There is also specific guidance for kitten owners and puppy owners.
Read our blog with top tips for helping your puppy cope with a post-lockdown life on the BVA blog.
Thanks to Sarah Heath FRCVS, Daniel Mills FRCVS, Lorella Notari MRCVS, and Rachel Casey MRCVS, recognised specialists in behavioural medicine, for producing this guidance and blog post.
There is limited evidence that some animals, including pets, can contract coronavirus. Cases in pet animals are very rare, and at present the evidence suggests that coronavirus:
However it is extremely important to reiterate that according to the OIE, the current pandemic is being sustained through human-to-human transmission, and there is no evidence that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of Covid-19.
It is the case that animals may act as fomites, as the virus could be on their fur for a short period of time in the same way it is on other surfaces, such as tables and doorknobs. In line with public health guidance, you should:
There is no evidence that you need to wash your pets to control the spread of coronavirus. Only wash or use products on your pets that are approved for use on animals.
The OIE recommends that people who are suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Covid-19 virus should minimise close direct contact with animals. Read the OIE Questions and answers on the novel Coronavirus in full.
Government advice is that owners of pets in households with confirmed or suspected Covid-19, who think their pet may need veterinary treatment, should make contact with the practice first and alert them to the household’s status. Read the Defra Covid-19 advice for people with animals.
Our advice for pet owners diagnosed with Covid-19 or self-isolating with symptoms is:
Ferrets are known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19. As a precautionary measure, the UK governments are advising that if you own a ferret, you must isolate your ferret for 21 days if:
Isolation means avoiding contact with either ferrets or people from other households (eg. taking your ferret for walks). If your ferret needs emergency veterinary care, you can arrange to have it taken to the vet but you should notify your veterinary practice of the situation.
In line with public health guidance, you should:
Read APHA’s Guidance on Preventative Measures regarding SARs-CoV-2 and Ferrets in the UK
If you are self-isolating for Covid-19, the Scottish Government also advise that you should ask someone else to care for your ferrets. Otherwise you should always wear a facemask and gloves, avoid kissing and cuddling the animals, make sure you wash your hands and limit the time spent with animals.
DAERA advice for Northern Ireland also states that you should avoid contact with ferrets if you have had a positive Covid-19 test or have symptoms suggestive of it. If you are the ferret carer, someone else will need to look after the ferret if possible. If this is not possible, you should wear a facemask and gloves.
Read the specific government guidance for ferret owners in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Some of the nation's best-loved national pet charities and experts have joined forces to help pet owners find the right advice.
The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) has produced tips and advice on how to look after your pets while you protect yourself during the pandemic. Read the CFSG top tips and helpful advice.