To all of our valued clients- thank you for your ongoing support as we find ways to continue to serve you and your pets during this uncertain and challenging time.  Our priority is eliminating the spread of the COVID-19 virus while also focusing on ways to continue complete care and services for our patients.  We are all very thankful and encouraged by the kindness shown by you already!
           We will continue to make necessary updates with our operating procedures as the COVID-19 situation changes.  In doing so, we will keep you updated via emailed newsletters, social media posts and verbal communication.  We ask that you have continued patience with our veterinary team as we navigate through this stressful situation.
Changes as of 4/2/2020
Curbside service: We are continuing to provide curbside service as this helps limit the amount of individuals gathering at once.   We have changed how your pet will be entering and exiting our facility.  We started off by having our team members retrieving your pet directly from your car and returning directly to your car.  While this has worked well in some cases, we have found that in others this retrieval has been very stressful for the pets, thus causing our team member to physically enter the vehicle instead of simply reaching for the leash. 
We are now asking that upon your arrival you follow the following directions:

1. Call once you arrive in our parking lot.  757-483-3800, option 1 
2. Remain in your vehicle until you are instructed by a team member to walk or carry (in carriers) your pet to our curb.
3. For patients on leashes, you will be handed a 2nd leash to put on your pet in addition to your leash for added security. 
4. While maintaining as much distance as possible, please pass your pet to our team member and return to your vehicle for further instructions/information during the appointment. 

New questions:  We ask for patience and kindness as we will start to ask basic screening questions to help ensure the safety of all.  Please be prepared that you will be asked these questions when scheduling your pet’s appointment as well as when you are checking in for your pet’s appointment.
The questions are as follows:
               Have you traveled out of the area in the last 14 days?
               Have you had contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
               Are you currently or have you had any of these symptoms in the last 14 days?
                                          Symptoms- Fever greater than 100 degrees, difficulty breathing, cough.
If you answer yes to any of the following, we ask that you reschedule your pets’ appointment to a later date when you are exposure/symptom free.  If you answer yes and your pet is experiencing a TRUE emergency, we ask that you find a friend or family member that doesn’t have exposure/symptoms, and can bring your pet in for you.

*Your support means so much to all of us.  Please know we will continue to do all we can to keep our team, community and pets safe and healthy during this time.  Kindness and compassion will help all of us each day, every day.*

​COVID-19
 
Churchland & North Suffolk Animal Clinic’s Action Plan
 
     At Churchland & North Suffolk Animal Clinics, we are focused on continuing to deliver exceptional medical service to all of our patients.  More than ever, in light of the evolving COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, we are focused on the health and safety of all our clients, patients and employees, without compromising the quality of our veterinary services. 

     We are following the latest information, protocols and tools from the world’s leading health experts and government authorities – including the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control – to maximize the effectiveness of our response. Beginning 3/20/2020, we will begin strict social distancing per the recommendations of the CDC and WHO.  This distancing will include 100% curbside interaction for appointments and product/medication pick up.  Humane Euthanasias will be the only exception for entrance to our facilities.  With this exception, we must continue to restrict human interactions, therefore we kindly request only one family member accompany the patient. 

     In the interest of all of our clients and staff, Churchland & North Suffolk Animal Clinic teams requests that any clients who are exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties refrain from coming to the facility and have a family member or friend bring their pet or reschedule the appointment entirely. Churchland & North Suffolk Animal Clinic staff members will be minimizing direct human-to-human contact while following all CDC recommended hygiene practices.

     We have heightened our already stringent practices around sanitation, disinfection and cleaning, plus specific measures based on the guidance of local health authorities. The WHO has several recommendations to reduce exposure to a range of illnesses, including hand and respiratory hygiene as well as safe travel practices.

​     We are doing everything we can to provide a safe and sanitary experience when you visit us. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work through this together.

Sincerely,
Churchland & North Suffolk Animal Clinics

​·         For Exams/appointments:

• Prior to your appointment, please click here to fill out a patient history form to improve your curbside appointment check in.   https://form.jotform.com/CAC2020/NorthSuffolkAnimalClinic .  When you hit submit, this form will be sent to us electronically to help us prepare for your pet’s visit. 
• When you arrive, please call our office at 757-483-3800 and select option 1.
• A staff member will meet you at your vehicle to hand you a “slip-lead” leash.  You (the owner) will need to place the leash on your pet while the doors to your car are still closed. Additionally, we require that your personal leash also remain on your pet.  **All feline patients must be in secured carriers**
• Once both leashes are secure (for dogs) or pet is secured inside of the carrier (if Feline or small canine) our staff member will advise you on how to safely transfer the pet to them. 
• Your pet will be escorted into an exam room or treatment area for care.
• Please remain in your vehicle in our parking lot.
• The veterinarian and assistant may contact you to obtain additional information about your pet before the exam begins. They will continue to communicate with you during the appointment for consent of diagnostics, treatments and medications as needed and to discuss any concerns you may have.
• At the end of the appointment, one of our staff members will collect a method of payment and return your pet directly to your car.

·         For Surgery and Procedure Drop-offs/Pick-ups:

• We will be emailing you the required documents for your pet and kindly ask that you print, fill out and bring those with you on the day of the drop-off.  If you are unable to print these, we can arrange for these to be available to you the morning of check in. 
• When you arrive, please call our office at 757-483-3800 and select option 1.
• We will then discuss the scheduled procedure and review consent paperwork & treatment plans.
• A staff member will come out to your car in the same method listed above for regular appointments.
• When you arrive for discharge pick-up, please call our office at 757-483-3800 and select option 1.
• A member of our team will discuss your pet’s discharge and follow-up instructions. Following discussion, we will collect payment and bring your pet to your car.

·         For Medication, Food & Product Refills

• Medication, food & product refills may be requested by calling 757-483-3800 or emailing questions@northsuffolkanimalclinic.com  *You must call in or email requests AT LEAST 24 hours in advance.*  More notice is encouraged as we can then verify product availability.  Please be aware that while we are striving to do our best to keep all products and supplies on hand, we are experiencing shortages/delays on certain items much like many other businesses as we are at the mercy of our distributors and their manufacturers.
• A team member will call when your pet’s refill is ready for pick up & collect payment over the phone.
• When you arrive to pick-up the refill, please call our office at 757-483-3800 and a team member will bring the refill out to your car.

​
·         For Humane Euthanasia Appointments

• Humane Euthanasias will be the only exception for entrance to our facilities.  With this exception, we must continue to restrict human interactions, therefore we kindly request only one family member accompany the patient.  This family member must not be experiencing any signs or symptoms of illness nor have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.  Alternatively, we encourage you to utilize in-home euthanasia services that are offered in our area to minimize potential exposure and allow the opportunity for more family members to be present.  Please click the following link for additional information.  https://www.northsuffolkanimalclinic.com/end-of-life-care.html

      “How do I know if my pet is in pain?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions veterinarians receive from pet parents as their beloved animals begin to age. Not only is pain uncomfortable, but it also can have detrimental physical effects on the body. Stress that arises from pain has been shown to cause immunosuppression, decrease nutrition (due to reduced eating and drinking), and negatively affect the general well-being of our pets.        Unlike humans, animals are unable to express in words if they are uncomfortable. It is therefore very important that we, as pet owners, look out for the sometimes very subtle clues that may indicate our furry family member is in pain.
      Pain and discomfort tend to be more easily detectable in dogs than cats. However, some dogs are quite stoic and signs of pain can be difficult to detect. Loss of appetite, decrease in activity level, excessive panting, and restlessness are considered general signs of pain or illness in dogs.   
      Orthopedic signs of pain can vary widely in dogs. Limping/favoring a particular leg or whining when applying pressure to a particular joint are more obvious signs of pain, but symptoms of arthritis as your dog ages aren’t always quite so clear.  Joint stiffness after rest and preferring shorter/slower walks are often chalked up to old age, but these may be signs of arthritic pain. Excessive licking of the wrists is also a common (but subtle) sign that your dog may be trying to ease discomfort from painful arthritic joints.
      Determining if your cat is uncomfortable can be more challenging, because it is instinctual for a cat to hide any signs of pain or illness due to risk of appearing weak to predators. Decreased appetite, decreased activity level, and lack of grooming can be general signs of feline disease. Increased aloofness/isolation is a very common yet elusive clue that a cat is not feeling well. If your cat used to spend the evenings curled up on your lap or on the family sofa but now spends most of his/her time alone under the guest bed, this may be cause for concern.
      Arthritis is more common in older cats than most pet parents realize. Signs of arthritis include difficulty jumping, lack of grooming, playing less, and hissing or exhibiting aggression upon palpation of the spine.  Have you noticed your cat no longer jumps on the kitchen counters like he or she used to? This is less likely a sign of social maturity, and more likely a sign of arthritis. Does your cat no longer trot to greet you at the door? Does your cat shy away from lower back scratches that he/she used to beg/meow for? These can all be indicators of musculoskeletal discomfort.
      If you note any of these potential signs of pain beginning to develop in your pet, we recommend having your dog or cat evaluated by a veterinarian. There are a wide variety of treatments, supplements and pain medications your pet may benefit from, based on his/her individual needs.

       With Easter just around the corner, this month we will focus on a common houseplant that is toxic to our cats - the Lily. A favorite of many, these gorgeous flowers are unfortunately very toxic to the kidneys of our feline friends. The Easter lily, Asiatic lily, Japanese lily, Tiger lily, Day lily, Stargazer lily, Rubrum lily, and Red/Western/Wood lily are those that have been associated with renal failure in cats. However, all lilies have the potential to cause gastrointestinal upset in both cats and dogs.  All parts of the plant are toxic, with the flower itself being the most toxic part of all. Even pollen and water from the vase aren't safe for cats to ingest. Recent studies have shown that some cats may actually be attracted to lilies and will actively seek them out, even when the plants are in seemingly hard-to-reach locations.
     Injury to the kidneys can occur within 12 hours of ingestion, but cats exposed to lilies often experience vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia within just two hours of tasting the attractive plant. It is, therefore, very important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian right away if you at all suspect he or she has ingested any part of a lily plant. Additional signs of lily ingestion include weakness, excessive salivation, depression, tremors, and increased thirst/urination. Veterinary treatment typically involves induction of vomiting and intravenous fluid therapy to help flush and protect the fragile feline kidneys. Fortunately, early therapeutic intervention has been shown to result in 90% of exposed cats surviving, with no evidence of lasting kidney damage.
      It is very important that cat owners understand the hazards of lilies, and make all attempts to keep lilies out of their cat's reach. 
 

     Have you heard through the grapevine that grapes are toxic to dogs?  They certainly are - along with their dried counterpart, the raisin. This tiny delicious fruit may appear harmless, but it can cause severe toxicity when ingested by your dog.
     Although the mechanism of action of toxicity is poorly understood, the type of grape or raisin does not appear to matter. Toxicity is not always dose-dependent, and clinical signs can occur with even small ingestion of the common fruit. Because they are four times more concentrated, fewer raisins need to be ingested to reach toxic levels compared to grapes.
     Grapes and raisins can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and kidney damage. The most common symptom is vomiting, usually within just a few hours of ingestion. Next, your dog may develop diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Severe toxicity without medical intervention can lead to acute renal failure, in which case the kidneys shut down and no longer produce urine.
     Treatment goals include preventing toxin absorption (via induction of vomiting and administration of toxin-binding substances) and minimizing damage to the kidneys (via intravenous fluid therapy to maintain perfusion to the kidneys). Prognosis depends on the quantity of grapes or raisins ingested, the severity of illness upon initiation of treatment, and response to treatment. 
     If you suspect your dog has ingested raisins or grapes, please seek veterinary care immediately. Grapes and raisins have only been proven toxic to dogs. Because their toxicity is poorly understood, however, it is important to keep grapes and raisins out of reach of all household pets. What are some alternative household treat options? Bananas, apples (seedless), and carrots are safe treats you can share with your pet!