Visiting the Veterinarian With COVID-19 Restrictions

It's difficult enough taking your cat to the veterinarian for a normal routine (or illness) visit but when you need to take your cat to the vet during the COVID-19 scare and isolation, the stress level is compounded. 

Truffle and Brulee have been very healthy this past year and only needed to go to the vet for wellness visits. This morning, I woke up to Truffle squinting and draining from her left eye.

Truffle's left eye was semi closed and draining

Truffle's Eye

Persian cats tend to have eye drainage because of their brachycephalic faces with can cause eye stains on the fur. Brulee has a flatter face and tends to have eye drainage on a daily basis. Truffle doesn't usually have much eye drainage unless she has a herpes flare up. Truffle had an ulcer on her right eye about 3 years ago which took about 2-3 weeks to heal. Ever since this ulcer, her right eye does tend to flare up at times and drain. I keep a box of Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment at home when these flareups occur. This morning, I noticed she was squinting with her right eye and there was some drainage. I wiped her eye and put a couple of drops of liquid tears in her eye. A few minutes later, her eye lids were stuck together and I noticed some inflammation. I knew she needed to be seen by a veterinarian to rule out a scratch or ulcer.

COVID-19 Restrictions

I knew there were some restrictions on taking pets to the veterinarian because of the email I received on March 16, 2020.

Email from Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital

I was on self-quarantine at the time because I had been sick and was tested for COVID-19. Thankfully, my test was negative, but I've tried to stay at home away from people because I have asthma and am immune-compromised. I anxiously dialed the phone number for the veterinarian. I explained what was happening with Truffle. They told me that Dr. Macaulay could see Truffle within about 1 1/2 hours. They informed me that I would need to pull up outside the hospital and call them when I arrived. They said someone would come out to the car to pick up Truffle to take her inside and that Dr. Macaulay would call me on the telephone to discuss Truffle's diagnosis. I believe this is the first time Dr. Macaulay has ever seen one of my girls, but I've talked with her many times in the past about the veterinary hospital and test results for my cats. 

Our governor issued a mandatory "stay-at-home" order this week, so Cherokee Trail Veterinary Hospital changed the procedures.

"Covid-19 Update - Due to Executive Orders issued by Governor McMaster as well as recent federal recommendations regarding social distancing, CTVH will be limiting entry to our hospital and lobby. ​For Curbside Check-In, Please Call (803) 359-6611. Upon arrival, please call the above number and one of our staff members will come to greet you and retrieve your pet. All triaging, treatment plans, consent, payments, and discharges will be discussed over the phone to limit interactions. We Appreciate Your Cooperation and Understanding​."

Mom Paula wearing her mask while waiting for the veterinary assistant to pick up Truffle curbside

Curbside Veterinary Visit

I arrived at the veterinary hospital about 10 minutes prior the scheduled appointment time. I usually leave early because of heavy traffic on the road leading to the vet. I temporarily forgot that traffic should be lighter because of the Governor's order. There were a few cars in the parking lot already and I noticed most of the people in the cars were wearing a mask. I took my mask with me to use when I had to chat with the veterinary assistant or veterinarian. I must admit, I was a little anxious with the situation because I like to be in the examination room, face-to-face, with the veterinarian as he examines one of my cats. I waited about 15 minutes for someone to come and get Truffle. The vet assistant was wearing a mask, but no gloves. She picked up Truffle from the passenger side after getting basic information from me. While I was waiting to hear from Dr. Macaulay, I noticed several pets being picked up and/or delivered back to the cars. I even saw Dr. Macaulay coming out with a dog to talk to the owners.

Veterinary assistant retrieving Truffle from car

I waited in the car for a phone call from Dr. Macaulay about Truffle's eye. After about 20 minutes, a veterinary assistant came out with Truffle and told me that Dr. Macaulay would be out in a few minutes to talk to me. I became anxious, thinking that something must be wrong because the veterinarian was coming to the car to talk with me. Thankfully, my worry was for naught! Dr. Macaulay said she stained Truffle's eye and saw no evidence of a scratch or ulcer. She also checked to make sure there were no eyelashes or fur that had turned in to the eye. She did notice a little bit of inflammation on the 3rd eyelid, but nothing to be really concerned about. Dr. Macaulay said she believed Truffle was having a herpes flare up in her right eye and that treatment with the Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment should help it clear up in a few days. She said if the eye didn't get any better or if it got worse after 3 days, to bring her back in for further examination. I noticed on Truffle's chart that she had gained a few ounces. I guess she isn't the only one snacking a little more since we've been stuck in our home for 3 weeks.

Dr. Macaulay discussing Truffle's diagnosis

It took me about 10 minutes to drive home and Truffle was quiet during the trip, which is unusual for her. Who knows - maybe visiting the veterinarian without me is less stress for her...

Once we got home, I sanitized the door handles, steering wheel, door knob, and Sleepypod carrier. I used hand sanitizer and washed my hands. Truffle and Brulee were fed and I put the Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment in Truffle's eye. Truffle isn't squinting as back, but her eye is still draining, which will probably occur for a few days until this flareup has passed. I then submitted the bill for the examination to Trupanion Pet Insurance for reimbursement. I should get most of the money I spent back from Trupanion, so that will help during this difficult financial time.

Comforting Truffle in the car waiting for the veterinarian

I'm so thankful that veterinary hospitals are considered essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though a face-to-face visit with the veterinarian during the examination wasn't possible, I am blessed that our veterinary hospital has taken the necessary measures to examine our pets in a timely and safe manner for both the humans and pets. Hopefully, Truffle's eye will clear up in a few days and she'll be back to her "trouble Truffle" self. 

If you need to take your pet to the veterinarian during the "stay-at-home" orders, be sure to call to verify if they are seeing pets and what their procedures are for safety. 

We wish everyone excellent health, both physically and emotionally, during these trying times.