The veterinary profession is going through very different and difficult times, with a worldwide pandemic that has affected everyone. In the UK we are only being allowed to perform emergency treatments and surgery and to continue with the supply of required medications. Many of us have been furloughed, a term that I don't think anyone had ever heard of until a few weeks ago.
I am amongst those that have been furloughed and I am finding it really tough. Having to sit at home, while some of your work colleagues are ‘holding the fort’, seeing the few emergencies that are attending practice, for me is difficult. Feeling guilty for not being able to help the team, our work colleagues, our friends. Staying at home is vital though. My role as a consulting nurse is not vital to emergency veterinary services. Many veterinary professionals are now volunteering for the National Health Services (NHS), in various roles. We need to support our healthcare systems, whether this is feet on the ground, or by staying at home and not spreading the virus.
Conflict has arisen within the veterinary profession regarding the provision of vaccinations for companion animals. Initially in the UK, veterinary provision was limited to emergency treatment only. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has relaxed its stance a little and has now permitted essential vaccines; this includes primary vaccines, canine vaccinations for leptospirosis and rabbit vaccinations where the animal lives in an area where there are endemic issues with myxomatosis or VHD. Some veterinary professionals feel that this counts towards non-essential travelling for the animal's owners and shouldn't be permitted — staying at home is important, and we should be advocating this. Other veterinary professionals feel that ensuring that herd immunity is maintained and preventing disease (potentially zoonotic disease with leptospirosis), is as important. There are other arguments regarding financial elements and regarding the trust aspects of the veterinary industry. We have spent years educating owners that vaccinations are vital annually; however, it's not as important as spreading a potentially lethal virus. The argument will continue, remember however if you ever go for a job interview to ask: ‘how did this practice respond to its staff and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic?’ It will really answer any of your questions regarding what type of practice they are.
People are understandably anxious and worried, about themselves, their families and their financial security. People find change difficult, but the uncertainties and not knowing can compound the issues as there is no clear end. Our first article this month discusses Taking Back Control (pp. 108-9) — at a time when we have such uncertainty and change it's important to discuss mental health and the impact that the current situation is having on it.
Adapting how we do things, how we care for our patients and their owners, has been hard for many. Learning how to do video consults and helping out the veterinary surgeons with using the technology has been interesting. It has been an opportunity to explore different forms of communication with our clients. We've had comments from owners on how they would like to use video consults in the future for their cats that hate to travel.
As a compassionate care giving profession having to remove the pet from their family, leaving the owner outside while you attend to the patient is really difficult; caring from a distance is still caring. People understand this, they might not show it at the time, but we are all in it together. Don't underestimate the help and support that is there for those of you at work or not.