My husband, Paul, and I live in Los Angeles County, CA, which has strict “Stay Safe At Home” Covid-19 Guidelines and Requirements. Since it’s spring going into summer, we see all the doggie problems the season brings: skin allergies, flea allergies, kennel cough and other viruses that may require vet visits. During the last two months I have made several visits, following the COVID 19 requirements. If you haven’t, I hope my experiences will help you know what to expect.
One of our dogs, Kipp, has Pannus, an auto-immune disorder in her eyes that requires a specialist and daily medications. Two months ago, at the start of the “lock down”, she got an injury to one eye, so I took her to the eye specialist. The current check-in protocol is designed to keep the vet and techs safe. When you arrive, you call and a tech comes to your car, in a mask and gloves and takes your dog into the hospital. The vet calls you after the exam to let you know what’s going on. They take your credit card number over the phone and after paperwork is finished, a tech returns with your dog.
You never enter the office. You are not allowed to accompany your dog during the exam. You hope they have been putting on fresh gloves or hand washing when handling your dog so nothing comes home on their coats to you.
Kipp had been to this specialist numerous times. She was never happy going but tolerated these visits because I was with her, telling her how brave she was. In the last 8 weeks, we have had to have four follow-up visits, some were rather painful and included scraping her cornea. Each time we went, Kipp became more terrified. It was horrible to see my usually friendly, stoic dog freaking out as she was being led away by a stranger. She needed me and I couldn’t be with her.
Understanding the logic of the procedure, that it’s for the safety of the vet and the techs to not have people in such close proximity, does not make it easier. It is certainly not easier on the dogs who just do not understand.
Just before the “lock down," our dog Dally, thirteen-and-a-half-years-old, was diagnosed with bone cancer. We had nightmares of not being able to be with her when the time came. We kept hoping against hope that the cancer would move slowly, and the pandemic would end before we needed to put her down.
Dally was not that lucky. Ten days ago, it was obvious we needed palliative care to help her be more comfortable. Dally was sick and in pain. We tried to explain to the tech what we needed from the doctor, someone we didn't know. Watching Dally reluctantly going with a stranger to what she has always thought of as a scary, horrible place was awful.
When the doctor called us, it was obvious the tech hadn't relayed all of our questions. So, when I explained our concerns, he said he would “go back and look again and call us back”. Why wasn’t he with Dally when he called? Where was she? Was someone with her or was she stuck alone? It was horrible knowing Dally was being poked and prodded and being passed from tech to doctor to tech to wherever….and I wasn’t there with her. There was nothing I could do to make her feel safe.
Just a week later, the growth had spread to such a degree Dally was in real pain and discomfort. Life was not what it should be for her. We called the vet. For the safety of the staff, we were told just one of us could be with Dally. This was a difficult decision for us. We wanted to be together, for the sake of both of us and Dally. But we decided I would stay with her.
Dally and I sat on the floor on a blanket, waiting for a wonderful vet, who we knew. Dally knew I was upset and tried to kiss my face – but I had on a mask. She kissed my mask and all I wanted was to feel her wet kisses on my cheek for the last time.
As the doctor administered the final medication Dally was cradled in my arms. The doctor and I were very close to one another. Certainly not within “social distancing guidelines”. My mask was soaked with tears and my nose was running. With heartfelt gratitude I thanked my vet for allowing me to be there with Dally. I told her I realized what a scary time this is and how unsafe it is for her to have me there, but thank you, thank you.
I truly hope none of your dogs have to go to the vet during these difficult times. Please be careful about the risks you take with yourself and your dog as you make your choices about what is safe. This pandemic is crazy. It's like we each toss a coin in the air, hoping for one outcome but being unable to ensure we actually get it.
Sincerely,
Kyle Trumbull-Clark
