Update 12th April 2020
We continue to offer our full emergency service 24/7, along with visits or clinic appointments for sick or ongoing cases. In addition, we will be able to offer some vaccinations. However, we MUST still work within government guidelines. A risk assessment will be performed on the phone prior to an appointment, the vets must protect themselves and our clients whilst meeting their social responsibility to minimise the risk of spread of infection. Public health remains our priority. So more detail follows below….
The average horse measures 2 metres from nose to tail. It is VITAL that you maintain this distance AWAY from the vet at all times
Health and safety risks associated with any procedure will be assessed on an individual basis and must not be compromised at this time. Sedation may be used if it reduces the risk associated with any procedure and/or facilitates physical distancing. Oral sedation in advance may be an option in some cases. This means that some horses who would not normally need sedating may require some sedation to perform a procedure safely or facilitate social distancing. The emergency services are under extreme pressure and our veterinary surgeons will use their professional judgement to avoid situations that might result in injury to anyone.
Only ONE person to assist the vet; please wash your hands regularly. Use handgel regularly. Please wear gloves and a mask. Please tie your horse up ready and then MOVE AWAY at least 2 metres.
Staying safe
Prior to your appointment, you will be contacted by email with a reminder of our policies to keep you, your horse and the vet safe. There will be a document to read and a reminder of the following: –
The clinic will phone you either the day before or on the morning of your visit to clarify your health; the plan for examining the horse at your stabling address and also to gain as much information as possible about your horse before the vet’s arrival to minimise the vet’s time time spent on the yard.
Hopefully thinking about the situation and planning in advance will mean everyone stays safe and the vet can spend the least time possible on the premises, keeping the risk to you and your family, as well as to the vet to an absolute minimum.
- Please remember only one person to assist the vet (NO SPECTATORS!); same person if multiple horses
- Staying >2 metres apart at all times;
- It would assist greatly if you could remember that any repeat prescriptions must be ordered in advance
- Unless an immediate emergency, no other horses will be discussed or examined on the visit
- Please wear a face mask as well as gloves
Many thanks for your care and cooperation
YES, 2 metres distancing is much further away than you think. Also to minimise time spent on your premises, as much information as possible will be obtained before the visit and then treatments discussed more fully on the phone after the visit. Your understanding is REALLY appreciated. Thank you
Which vaccines can be given?
Simply, those which won’t compromise human health and increase the strain on our NHS.
If our risk assessment suggests we can safely visit and vaccinate then we will do the following: –
Give a first or second influenza & tetanus vaccination . Third vaccines due 5-6 months after the second will be left as late as possible. Annual vaccinations will be performed. We will continue to perform tetanus vaccines to prevent any horse being at risk from this fatal disease. In most circumstances we will vaccinate against herpes.
Unless there is an increased risk of equine influenza, we will delay 6 monthly flu boosters until the Covid-19 lock down is over and competitions / mixing of horses can resume. This should ensure all horses who are currently correctly vaccinated for competition will continue to abide by their association’s rules.
Any doubts, please email admin@debenvalleyvet.co.uk
Fortunately the horses really don’t seem to mind the gloves or masks. It makes me feel like a very unfriendly vet, so sorry but I will be smiling under that mask some of the time!
The Office
As most of you are aware, from April 1st 2020, our office has not been open all day.
The phones are still answered 24/7.
So far this does not seem to have caused any problems. I would like to thank you all for being so understanding and compliant when ordering drugs. Please continue to just phone us first to arrange a time to collect or drop off things. We always ask for at least 48 hours notice for repeat prescriptions, please be as generous as possible with your requests and allow extra time for postage if required.
Fees
Our normal visit fees apply Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. As usual, emergency fees will apply to visits outside normal hours. For non-urgent cases, telephone or email advice may be appropriate; you may be asked to provide photos or video prior to conversing with the vet via phone, text, WhatsApp or email. It may be possible to provide suitable treatment for your horse; you will be advised if a remote consultation fee will be charged (£25 incl. VAT for <10 minutes vet time) or it may be necessary to arrange a physical examination of your horse. Transport of horses to the clinic for agreed veterinary treatment is permitted (ie, your vet has advised this.)
Guidelines for your equine vet appointment