Updated hours in effect until further notice:

Mon: 8 am – 6 pm
Tues: 8 am – 6 pm
Wed: 8 am – 6 pm
Thurs: 8 am – 1:30 pm; 3 pm – 6 pm
Fri: 8 am – 6 pm
Sat: 8 am – 12 pm

At Southfork Animal Hospital, we’re following guidelines from the CDC. To learn more about CDC recommendations, click here to visit their website.

Southfork Animal Hospital is making immediate proactive changes on how we can care for pets in response to the worldwide Corona Virus (COVID-19) health crisis. We are diligently finalizing the details of all the changes but below we have listed a general summary of what those changes will entail. Every one of these steps is being taken with the intention to minimize face to face interactions, to minimize hand to hand transactions and to minimize the gathering of people. Veterinarians are deemed an essential business (which is why we want to stay open) and we feel the changes we are implementing will allow us to remain available to care for your precious pets.

For the foreseeable future:

Curb side veterinary care will continue.

We are scheduling elective surgeries (think spays/neuters) and dental treatments. Unfortunately, scheduling is limited as we continue to provide care during this COVID crisis.

We are scheduling pets who have a medical need or have vaccines due and are scheduling wellness only or heartworm test only visits if it is 18 months past the last one.

Our hospital doors will be locked to keep unexpected people from entering without prior approval.

Other than actual medical emergencies, we will only see patients with scheduled appointments.

Each client with a scheduled appointment will need to call the hospital when they arrive. We will come out to their vehicle to bring in their pet while the client waits in the car. Please expect longer wait times for your appointments.

All dogs will need to be on a leash and all cats must arrive in a secure carrier. The pet owner should place their cat in the carrier before leaving their house.

Clients should be prepared to pay with a credit card at the time of their visit. This is typically done over the phone as the client is in the parking lot.

Clients are allowed in the building to be with their pet during euthanasia. A maximum of 2 people can be present and we ask that they wear masks and wash hands upon entering.

The disinfectant cleaner that we were already using is labelled as effective against COVID 19. We will be cleaning on an even greater level and frequency than we were previously.

Our staff will not be working if they are ill. This will affect our scheduling ability and may cause your appointment to be rescheduled.

We appreciate your patience during this difficult situation. Please call us with any questions. 952-892-7970

CORONAVIRUS AND PETS: FAQS FOR OWNERS

USDA Statement regarding Tiger at Bronx Zoo

(Washington, D.C. April 5, 2020) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans) in one tiger at a zoo in New York. This is the first instance of a tiger being infected with COVID- 19. Samples from this tiger were taken and tested after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness.

Public health officials believe these large cats became sick after being exposed to a zoo employee who was actively shedding virus. The zoo has been closed to the public since mid-March, and the first tiger began showing signs of sickness on March 27. All of these large cats are expected to recover. There is no evidence that other animals in other areas of the zoo are showing symptoms.

Are pets at risk, and could they give the virus to people?

This situation is continually being evaluated as new information comes to light. Experts believe that dogs and cats are not easily infected with this virus, and the risk of transmission to humans is negligible compared to the risk of human-to-human transmission.

As of April 2, all major health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) say that there is no evidence that a companion animal has transmitted the virus that causes COVID-19 to a person.

Authorities strongly recommend that owners wash their hands before and after handling animals, their food, or their supplies and that people avoid kissing pets. Veterinarians and human health officials will continue to monitor this situation as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

If I am diagnosed with COVID-19, how do I protect my pet?

To protect other people and yourself, the CDC recommends that you restrict contact with pets if you are sick with COVID-19, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Avoid snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must interact with your pet, wash your hands before and after, and wear a face mask.

Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for dogs and cats?

There is no vaccine for COVID-19 for people or animals at this time.

Veterinarians are familiar with other coronaviruses. Similar but different coronavirus species cause several common diseases in domestic animals. Many dogs, for example, are vaccinated for another species of coronavirus (Canine Coronavirus) as puppies. However, this vaccine does not cross protect for COVID-19.

What should I do if I think my animal has the virus?

Call your veterinary clinic with any questions about your animal’s health. In order to ensure the veterinary clinic is prepared for the household animal, the owner should call ahead and arrange the hospital or clinic visit. Make sure to tell your veterinarian if your animal was exposed a person sick with COVID-19, and if your animal is showing any signs of illness. Veterinarians who believe an animal should be tested will contact state animal health officials, who will work with public and animal health authorities to decide whether samples should be collected and tested.

3 Comments

Monica on March 20, 2020 at 8:24 pm

Thank you for doing this and taking good care of our pets! Stay healthy and safe.
Kelly McKenzie on March 27, 2020 at 7:47 pm

Great solutions to this threat, better safer than not. Thank you for taking such kind and good care of our furry loved ones!
Judy Tolzmann on May 1, 2020 at 3:32 pm

Thank God you are still able to take care of pets during this crisis. Without you my pet (parrot) may have died.

I will be forever greatful.

COVID-19 Updates