Covid-19

PLEASE READ

Your pet’s safety and the people who care for them are our top priority.

Updated at of April 12,2021

Our staff is antibodied-up and we are excited to resume seeing clients in person again! Effective May 1, and conditional upon no increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in Virginia Beach, Birdneck Animal Hospital will resume seeing clients in person in our hospital. Please call our office for further details on how we are resuming in person visits while continuing to follow CDC safety protocols. Our doors will remain locked and masks and social distancing will still be required. Only one scheduled appointment will be permitted in the building at a time. We will still happily provide curbside service for those clients who wish to not enter the hospital building.

Due to the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID19), our veterinary facility is taking additional precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our clients, pets, and the people who care for them.

1. No pet owners will be allowed in the building for their safety as well as the safety of our staff.
2. Our door is locked, but we are still open and caring for your pets.  Please call us from the parking lot when you arrive.  (757) 425-9426
3. Our receptionist will take your pet’s history and other information over the phone.
4. A veterinary nurse will come out to you and double leash your pet, or take the carrier.  Please remove any other leashes, collars or harnesses after your pet has been double leashed.
5. Your pet will be brought into the hospital, have a full examination by the doctor, and receive any treatments that you had requested.  Let the receptionist know ahead of time if you would like a treatment plan showing all fees prior to treatment of your pet.
6. The doctor will complete a report card including any instructions and recommendations.
7. Billing should be done over the phone.  Credit cards will be accepted.  No cash or checks at this time please.
8. Let the nurse or receptionist know if you have any questions for the doctor.
9. Your pet, and any medications will be brought out to you.  Ensure that you have an adequate supply of your pet’s long term medications.

During this time of worldwide concern, our clients are concerned for their pet’s health as well as their own. Dr. Johnson and the staff of Birdneck Animal Hospital are staying updated and following recommendations made by various health organizations. We are still available for appointments and are doing everything we can to keep you, your pets and our staff healthy. Please see the link below to see how we are taking precautions during this stressful time for everyone.

Birdneck Animal Hospital CoVID19 Precautions

We request that clients who have recently traveled or those with respiratory symptoms avoid unnecessary vet visits. If there is an emergency please have someone else bring your pet to the hospital

We are requesting that all clients allow us to provide curb side service.

We will begin implementing curbside drop-off and pickup as follows:

Please call our office in advance to schedule a drop-off and provide history for your pet's concern.

We request that billing occur over the phone.  Please whenever possible give our receptionist credit card information prior to bringing your pet in.  This will expedite your visit and reduce contact between people. If you would rather not give the billing information ahead of time, please verbally give the information on the phone from your car while waiting for your pet.  Your pet, medications, and your pet's report card will be brought to your car.

When you arrive, please call our front desk from your car and a veterinary nurse will come out to collect your pet and complete any necessary documentation. The nurse will apply a double leash to your pet or pick up the pet carrier. Please remove as many harnesses, leashes and collars as possible while still keeping your pet safe.

Dr. Johnson will perform the examination and needed tests in the hospital. You will be issued a report card with the details of your pet's examination and any recommendations.

Should a pet owner need to pick up food or medications for their pet we recommend calling first to make sure the item is in stock. If so, it can be pre-paid for over the phone and we will bring it out to the car.

We are all wearing surgical masks. This type of mask does not prevent us from becoming infected with the virus. Should one of us become infected though, it decreases the likelihood of transmission to others.

We are practicing social distancing and require any clients that insist on coming into the hospital do the same. As the disease progresses in our area and government restrictions become more strict, we will likely prohibit any people other than staff from entering the building.

We are always very good about hygiene, but during this time we are constantly sanitizing surfaces, including but not limited to door knobs, counter tops, table tops and chair arms.

As always, clients should call ahead for appointments. Our hours may change at any time due to more and more people self-isolating and our desire to limit unnecessary exposure to each other. We hope these measures help decrease the likelihood of spread of this virus.