COVID-19 and Chester County
LAST UPDATED: March 20th at 4:30 pm
***This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we urge you to check back often for updated information as it pertains to Longwood Veterinary Center. Please continue to stay informed through the CDC and WHO as they continue to monitor the spread of Coronavirus.
Dear Longwood clients and supporters,
As you know, policies are changing on a daily basis with regard to the response to COVID-19.
Last night, Governor Tom Wolf issued a statement requiring all non life-sustaining businesses to close immediately. Veterinary hospitals are considered life-sustaining businesses and, for now, are permitted to remain open so that we may continue to care for your beloved pets.
That said, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) is recommending the suspension of all elective procedures. Per the PVMA, “consistent with what is being required of human medical providers, elective procedures must be postponed for companion animals to conserve medical supplies and safeguard human health.”
Despite this, we remain available to care for any of your pet’s urgent or emergency needs. There are even situations where Telemedicine may be employed to provide care for sick pets through online services. Please call if you have questions regarding what this means for you and your pet.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.
Dr. Laurie Strine, Dr. Carla Andrew
COVID-19 POLICIES
- In doing our part to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 to staff and clients, we are initiating several new changes to daily procedures at Longwood Veterinary Center.
- Reduction of client traffic into the hospital. In an attempt to practice social distancing, we are encouraging owners to wait in their cars during their pet’s exam. We will escort your pet from the car and take him/her directly to an exam room. Communication with the doctor will take place over the phone in real time and we will discuss our physical examination findings, diagnostics, and treatment recommendations. After the exam, your pet will be safely returned to you with any medications prescribed. A complete medical write up of the visit will be emailed to you for future reference. Please call us at 610-388-3388 when you arrive and we will meet you outside.
- Curbside discharges. Pets discharged post surgical procedures will be brought to the car by nursing staff. Discharge instructions will be provided as a written document, as per our usual, but also clearly discussed over the phone prior to pick up.
- Curbside pick up of prescription medications and food. Please call ahead for orders, provide payment over the phone, and provide us with your expected pick up time in order for products to be ready and waiting for you.
- Enhanced utilization or our online pharmacy. Visit our website, longwoodvetcenter.com, to set up your online pharmacy account. Medications will be mailed directly to your door.
- Payment via phone. We expect to limit the majority of transactions to payment by phone.
- Suspended House Call Service. We will be temporarily suspending out house call service.
We have not taken the introduction of any of these measures lightly and realize they may provide some level of disruption or inconvenience to your visit. We assure you these measures are temporary and have been implemented after considering recommendations of both national (AVMA) and state (PVMA) veterinary medical associations. We have also been closely following the lead of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. We will continue to communicate any changes to operating procedures with you via email, website, and Facebook. Please remember, our main goal is to keep you, your pets, and our Longwood Veterinary Center family healthy, happy, and safe.
