SFVMA Coronavirus Update
From the desk of your president...
Hello Colleagues and Friends,
As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19), our first thought is for the safety and well-being of our members and their families.
With the expansion of the virus throughout the South Florida area, we understand the impacts that coronavirus has on our profession and your practices.
In an abundance of caution, the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association has elected to postpone all upcoming events, including our continuing education lecture series and our Spring Social event.
However, your continuing education needs during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is important to us. In place of the CE lecture that was to be held on March 25th, Dr. Michael Wong,DVM, ACVIM (Neurology), of Southeast Veterinary Neurology, has invited our members to attend a RACE approved CE webinar to take place on March 19th. The topic of the lecture will be “Seizures in Dogs and Cats.” Register using the link below:
CE Webinar: Seizures in Dogs and Cats
Our spring social event has always been one of our most well attended and sought after events of the year. However, as the zoo is a tourist destination and with this event being centered around families, we have elected to postpone the event in order to uphold the safety and wellbeing of our members. We hope to be able to host this event in the summer- date to be determined. Refunds will be issued to all those who have purchased tickets.
As veterinarians, we have an obligation to protect public health and are considered “essential” businesses. With that being said, we encourage you to follow the guidelines below to ensure the safety of you, your staff, and your clients.
#1 Practice social distancing:
Maintain a distance of six feet from others.
Limit your waiting room to no more than 10 people.
No handshaking, kissing, hugging or other best practices when greeting clients.
Implement a one person per pet rule.
#2 Offer limited contact appointments:
Encourage clients to wait in their cars instead of your practice lobby and call them when it is their pet’s time to be seen.
You may also consider offering drop off appointments.
#3 Offer curbside services:
Clients needing medications refilled? Either direct them towards your online pharmacy or deliver the medications right to their car.
#4 Reserve appointments for sick pet visits:
Consider rescheduling or limiting services such as wellness exams, dental services, and elective procedures.
#5 Practice good hygiene procedures:
Proper handwashing techniques.
Using hand sanitizer before and after every room.
Wearing disposable gloves when appropriate.
#5 Educate your clients
The AVMA has great resources for veterinarians and pet owners.
The AVMA’s COVID-19 resource for pet owners
The SFVMA is here for you and we want you to know that we are all in this together!
Be well,
Jackie Dueñas, DVM
