‘We are open’: How Myrtle Beach area animal hospitals are adapting to coronavirus crisis
Myrtle Beach area veterinarians don’t want the panic ensued by the coronavirus outbreak to prevent pet owners from properly caring for their four-legged companions.
Despite the spread of COVID-19 increasing along the Grand Strand, area animal hospitals are still open, but altering their guidelines to provide a level of service that limits almost all direct contact. Currently, curbside appointments are available at most animal hospitals with pet owners urged to stay in the car while the vet admits the pet inside the facility.
At the Veterinary Clinic of Myrtle Beach, a tent is set up outside the facility, allowing triage technicians and nurses to meet clients at their car, provide direction and take the animal inside. Clients can then speak to the vet via phone during the appointment, with updates, medicinal supplies and payment options provided curbside by the technicians.
“It’s been invaluable to us because we can have our software outside under the tent, we can have our files and patient records outside with the nurses, so that we have all of our information that is accessible,” Dr. Amanda Thomas said. “We’re just taking every precaution to make sure that we’re not exposing anyone to us and that they’re not exposing us to any people they’ve been in contact with outside the hospital.”
Thomas said exceptions will be made to allow clients in the facility in emergency situations such as surgery or euthanasia.
However, those feeling ill are encouraged to stay home.
Thomas said she is still offering regular routine services and stressed the need for pet owners to take care of their furry friends if something is wrong. She also advised not to surrender a healthy pets out of fear of contracting the virus.
At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19 or that they might be a source of infection in the United States, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.
Area humane societies have also issued a warning deterring pet owners from surrendering any animals, citing the National Animal Care & Control Association, which is advising animal shelters to take extra measures to reduce shelter intake to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of COVID-19.
“There really is no way that our animals are going to pass this along,” said Thomas, noting another myth alluding the virus could be transmitted to a pet owner by someone simply touching your animal. The virus cannot live on a pet’s hair coat, Thomas urged, explaining that an animal’s hair is so fibrous that it really can’t hold onto anything.
Dr. Isabelle Ying, who manages Mrytle Beach Animal Hospital, is providing curbside services as an option for anyone who feels uncomfortable entering the hospital or those with underlying health conditions. While clients are allowed indoors, she said that is likely to change as the coronavirus progresses, but added the curbside option has been utilized by many so far.
“For me preventive medicine is definitely key; I don’t want owners to feel like they have to wait for their pet to be extremely sick to come in and see me,” Ying said. “We are open for business as usual, so your emergency is my emergency and I am here to make everyone’s life and pets feel better.”
Similar to Thomas, Ying has her employees bring the pet from the car inside the facility where she conducts a full physical exam. Upon diagnosis, she will contact the client via phone to discuss any findings and treatment plans. Technicians will then handle all business curbside, including providing follow-up instructions and taking payments, she said.
Myrtle Beach resident Todd Cappellino, who brought his two German Shepherds in to collect lab results, said he took comfort in how Ying is keeping operations afloat while adapting to the current health crisis.
“There are other parts of the county where vets are shut down; they can only do emergency service,” Cappellino said. “So to be able to come to a local vet, to have that availability that I don’t want my health compromised and I don’t want to compromise someone else, and if they offer a service where I can practice social distancing, I think that’s great.”
While both Thomas and Ying will continue offering regular services, Ark Animal Hospital in Surfside Beach recently decided to restrict patient visits to those needing immediate or emergency attention. If your pet is sick, a receptionist will direct the call to a veterinarian to determine if it’s necessary to come into the hospital, according to their Facebook page.
VCA Palmetto Hospital will also provide curbside appointments for regularly scheduled visits. Texting and live chat options are also available for those with questions wanting to stay home.
Additionally, with the safety of workers, volunteers and pets a priority, humane shelters throughout Horry County are also altering protocols, including adoptions now by appointment only, to limit exposure, and curbside appointments for clinic clients.
Pet owners should call their local animal hospital, humane society or veterinarian for any questions, concerns or to make an appointment.
