From veterinary house calls to driveway visits

The COVID-19 crisis continues to alter how veterinary professionals administer patient care. To ensure the safety of their staff and the public, practices have adjusted protocols drastically to help maintain proper social distancing.

For house-call veterinarian Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA, CVJ, certified veterinary acupuncturist and president and medical director of California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW) in West Hollywood, CA, that means temporarily limiting wellness visits and addressing only serious health concerns.

In addition, he tells dvm360.com Chief Veterinary Officer Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, he's changing his approach to house calls. “When I go to clients' homes, we are changing up the circumstances, where maybe I’d be in their home, now I’m in their driveway or on the porch." For example, he says he had pregnant a client who requested that he administer care to her pet on the patio to prevent potentially exposing her baby to the virus.

Although Dr. Mahaney says he remains healthy, he will continue to adhere to all the recommended precautions. In addition to the previously mentioned changes, he’s also wearing personal protective equipment during appointments, including googles, a surgical mask and gloves. “This is the new normal…,” he says.

To hear more from Dr. Mahaney, watch the video below.