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A letter from our Hospital Director

Dear Pet Parent,

It is no surprise that this year has been trying on all of us. Reinventing the way we provided care to you and your pets by introducing curbside services – all while seeing record number of patient visits – was something we all had to overcome over the course of the last 15 months. I am proud to say that Care Center has remained open and available to you and the rest of our community for all emergency and specialty veterinary needs.

Curbside services are ideal to no one; however, we all knew it was necessary to keep our team members, as well as our community, safe. With guidance from our local health agencies and the CDC, it has been decided to welcome clients back into our hospitals.

At this time, only clients with emergency patients will be permitted inside the hospital. If you are visiting Care Center for a specialty appointment, curbside services will still apply.

How will this work and how can you best prepare if you have to to come to Care Center?

  • Upon arrival, call the hospital telephone number.
  • If you have an emergency, you will be directed inside, with proper facial coverings. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you.
  • In an effort to promote social distancing, you will be placed in an exam room and will not be permitted to wait in our lobby.
  • We are limiting to 2 people per pet inside at this time.
  • If you have an appointment with one of our board-certified specialists, you will remain in your vehicle and a team member will be out to assist you and your pet.
    *Updated signage has been posted in our parking lots and lobbies to reflect these new policies.

I thank you for your continued trust in our team when it comes to the care of your furry family members. Since the onset of COVID-19, Care Center and other veterinary practices nationwide, have seen unprecedented caseloads. Please know that our team is providing the most timely and most exceptional care that they possibly can. We appreciate your understanding, kindness, and patience during this time.

All my best,

Jess Brotherton
Hospital Director

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

If you believe your pet is experiencing an emergency, please call before you arrive to our hospital, so we can provide additional instructions. We may be able to help you determine if emergency care is necessary or if your pet can wait to be seen by your primary care veterinarian.

  • We have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of exam rooms and all high touch surfaces throughout our facility with a healthcare grade disinfectant.
  • We’ve urged all employees to be vigilant about frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes.
  • Employees who feel ill are instructed to stay home and consult their healthcare providers.
  • New and additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies allow us to provide adequate protection to associates while also responsibly preserving PPE for critical services.
  • We provide our employees with mental health and wellbeing information and resources.

When you arrive to our hospital, please enter through the main entrance and see a member of our Client Services Team. For curbside payment, we offer online payment through PayPal.

We accept cash, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, CareCredit, and ScratchPay. We’ve made it safe and easy for you to pay your bill online via PayPal.

Always consider the following a possible pet emergency and seek immediate care:

Symptoms:

  • Any difficulties breathing; short or shallow breaths; increased effort; gagging; choking
  • Weakness; inability to walk; sudden collapse
  • First-time seizure, seizures lasting more than 3 minutes, or multiple seizures in one day
  • Non-productive retching/vomiting; swollen or distended abdomen
  • Allergic reactions including swelling, rashes, or itching
  • Excessive or persistent bleeding
  • Inability to urinate; straining to urinate
  • Diabetic animals refusing food
  • Pregnant animals in active labor for more than one hour without delivering, or going more than 3-4 hours between deliveries
  • Bumping into things; becoming disoriented
  • Signs of pain such as whining, shaking, hiding, or dull behavior
  • Vomiting blood/passing blood in stools/urine
  • Changes in behavior, appetite, or elimination

Trauma:

  • Bite wounds
  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Cuts, lacerations
  • Electrical shock
  • Eye injuries
  • Fall from heights
  • Heatstroke, frostbite
  • Hit by car; car accident
  • Penetrating foreign objects

Ingestion:

  • Chocolate
  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Household plants
  • Antifreeze
  • Insecticides
  • Rat poison (especially those containing bromethalin)
  • Household cleansers
  • Pool chemicals
  • Human medication
  • Bones
  • Pennies
  • Foreign objects
  • Excessive amounts of food or garbage

According to the CDC, we do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 to people or that they might be a source of infection in the United States.

  • According to the CDC, if you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed), you should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people. Although there have been no reports of pets becoming sick with COVID-19 in the United States, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. This can help ensure both you and your animals stay healthy.
  • When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick.
  • Avoid contact with your pet including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food.
  • If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

According to the CDC, at this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can become sick with or spread COVID-19.

Visitation of patients is permitted. You will be placed in an exam room to wait for updates from our nursing staff. Our team can also send you photos of your pet upon request when you are unable to visit the hospital while your pet is in our care.

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