Update COVID-19 Precautions March 30, 2022
Following the current CDC guidelines and in line with the low community level of COVID-19 cases in Hillsborough County, we have eased our mask wearing policy:
"Staff and clients are not required to wear masks, but may choose to at any time. We strongly recommend wearing masks for those that are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We ask that people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should avoid coming into the building."
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
- Get tested if you have symptoms
Please review our COVID-19 protocol
NOTE: we may require masks at any point in the future without prior notice.
Partial re-opening on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - FOR CLIENTS AND THEIR PETS (Tentative should Covid numbers change)
IN-HOSPITAL SERVICES: doctor’s visit, euthanasia, and discharge for anesthetic procedures.
CURBSIDE SERVICES remain in effect for: boarding, bath, Rx and inventory pick-up, tech visits, drop-off appointments and drop-offs for anesthetic procedures.
If clients prefer, curbside will continue to be available for ALL types of visits.
WHEN MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
- Receptionists will inform you about the COVID-19 procedures in place.
- Please let us know about possible exposure (and symptoms) of you, household members, or pets to COVID-19.
- Also, the receptionist will make sure that you know whether the visit will be curbside or in-hospital.
- Curbside will continue to be available for ALL types of visits.
- Receptionist will ask you or other clinics to email all pertinent files before your visit. Digital preferred above hard copies!! We cannot see pets without their medical records if they are available
FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS. For in-hospital visits, clients should have their pets on a secure leash or in a carrier. For curbside visits, we must use DMAH slip leashes on all dogs to bring them into the hospital. Clients should hold their leash until a staff member gets the slip leash on, then client can hand over control to the staff member. Cats must be in a carrier for all visits.
CLEANING & SAFETY PROTOCOL
- Our staff cleans the whole hospital (especially areas touched often, such as doorknobs) frequently with Lysol Spray, diluted bleach solution, Clorox wipes, Parvoclear or Foam-quat.
- Weekly professional Electrostatic Disinfecting Services.
- Our staff always wears a mask (properly covering nose and mouth) in close vicinity with colleagues and clients. They also maintain normal hygiene standards (wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and/or use hand sanitizer after & before each patient).
- Hand sanitizing stations are placed throughout the hospital and exam rooms. We encourage staff and clients to use them often.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT?
The wellbeing of our staff and clients is crucial to us. That is the reason why we are cautiously re-opening the building to our clients. As you may know our building and exam rooms do not permit for the recommended 6 ft social distancing, therefore we are starting out with allowing clients inside for doctor’s appointments (also euthanasia and discharge for anesthetic procedures) to avoid too much human traffic in small spaces. We really appreciate the patience, understanding and kindness you have shown to all of us over the last 1 & 1/2 years.
We continue to require that every person (regardless of vaccination status) wears a mask inside the hospital and maintains as much social distancing as possible.
We encourage everybody entering the Hospital to self-screen prior coming onsite and not to attempt to enter the building if any of the following are present:
- Symptoms of COVID-19
- Fever (equal or higher than 100.4F) or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Are under evaluation for COVID-19 ( for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection)
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to discontinue isolation
Upon arrival clients should text or phone 813-839-6191 with their name, spot number and contact number.
Receptionist will remind clients about the COVID-19 protocol at the time they arrive for their appointment. Covid-19 Safety Signs are in place. (For example: Self-screen for Covid19, mask required, social distancing) and remind them to stay in their car until the staff comes out to meet them.
All clients will be met outside by DMAH staff. Clients and pets must stay in their car until staff guides them inside.
Waiting/gathering in front of the entrance or exit door (or in the reception area) is not allowed.
We prefer to have only one person per family inside the building to help follow social distancing guidelines.
If all exam rooms are occupied, we cannot bring more clients inside, so there could be a short delay.
We apologize for this inconvenience, but clients are not able to use our bathroom at this time.
Use ENTRANCE and EXIT doors accordingly. This applies to clients and staff.
Until further notice the Entrance door will be locked. Everyone will have to ring the doorbell to be admitted. Our entry system is equipped with door release, camera/video and intercom.
Please use hand sanitizer before entering building.
Please do not enter building without staff member.
Our staff will bring clients straight into the exam room (sorry - no chatting at reception).
Staff will ask the client kindly to stay seated and refrain from touching any surface and to keep mask on all the time while in the building.
After our staff takes the history of your pet and inquires about the reason of visit and your concerns, the doctor will come into the exam room to perform the examination and any necessary treatment and will discuss the visit and treatment plan with you.
Once treatments are completed, any medications or products being sent home will be brought to the exam room. Instructions (written or verbal) will be provided, and any additional questions can be answered at that time.
If your pet is being discharged, the doctor will come in and go over the procedure with you, what to expect and answer any questions you might have.
One of our receptionists will come into the exam room with the invoice once the doctor and technician have completed your pet’s visit. Card or contactless payment is preferred, but other forms of payment are accepted as well.
If a follow-up appointment needs to be scheduled, clients can discuss this with the receptionist during check out or you can contact us later via phone, text, or email to schedule.
Staff and clients should use hand sanitizers BEFORE leaving the exam room. A staff member will walk you and your pet(s) to the exit and can help you to your vehicle if needed.
The staff will then thoroughly clean/sanitize the exam room in preparation for the next client and patient.
FULL curbside services until further notice
Higher exposure to (and impact on) our staff by COVID19 and its variants, made us decide to go back to FULL curbside services as of tomorrow, Tuesday, January 11, 2022. This will be in effect until further notice.
We are asking for your understanding. We cannot control that there are about 3 times more cases per day than the spike in August, but we can try our hardest to keep our staff, clients and their families healthy and safe.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Hospital Administrator with questions or comments.
Clients: Text or call us when you have arrived for your appointment or picking up meds/food
(813-839-6191)
Clients: Please wear your mask when our staff comes out to meet you and your pet.
REMAIN IN YOUR CAR
WHAT TO EXPECT . . .
Pet visit - curbside services Our technicians (wearing a mask) will come out to your car to bring your pet inside. We will call you from inside to take down your concerns and history of your pet (just like we do in the exam room).
- We will call you with our findings, recommendations and treatment plan. Any other questions you might have can be addressed at that time. After receiving your approval, we will proceed with the treatment. We will call you when we are done, explain the procedure, make recommendations and go over medications.
- Our receptionists (wearing mask) will come out to your car to take payment by credit card.
- Your pet will be returned to you by one of our technicians (wearing mask).
Curbside services: Picking up meds or other items? One of our receptionist (wearing mask) will bring the items (+ receipt) to you in a clear plastic bag. We will have taken your payment over the phone beforehand. Sorry – no cash accepted at this time.
They will also bring up any other items up (medications, preventatives, etc.) in a clear plastic bag.
(PARTIAL) RE-OPENING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2021
FOR CLIENTS AND THEIR PETS
IN-HOSPITAL SERVICES: doctor’s visit, euthanasia, and discharge for anesthetic procedures.
CURBSIDE SERVICES remain in effect for: boarding, bath, Rx and inventory pick-up, tech visits, drop-off appointments and drop-offs for anesthetic procedures.
If clients prefer, curbside will continue to be available for ALL types of visits.
AUGUST 31 2021 - OCTOBER 31, 2021
Once again, we are asking our clients for their understanding in regards to a change we need to make due to the COVID19 epidemic.
Over the last 16 months, it has become more and more difficult to employ an adequate number of staff. Finding veterinary technicians, kennel techs and receptionists, is a serious problem industry wide. Dale Mabry Animal Hospital has been dealing with a shortage of staff for some time, but our employees have really pulled together to help each other out. We are so thankful to our dedicated DMAH crew!
We have noticed though that these unprecedented times are wearing on all of us physically and emotionally. We have decided that the best way to go about helping the situation is to shorten the workday for all our staff by one hour. Our appointment times to see our patients will not be affected very much.
As of Tuesday, September 7th our hours are:
Hospital hours (for drop off * / pick up of patient, boarder, medications and food):
Monday through Friday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Saturday: 7:30 am – noon *with appointment
Appointments:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 am – last appointment at 4 pm Saturday: 8 am − last appointment at 11:30 am
We will strive to go “back to normal” as soon as it is possible while keeping all our families safe and healthy. We will keep you posted!
JULY 30 2021
What volatile times we live in!
At the beginning of this week, we were planning to reopen at the beginning of August, but with the rising positive cases of the more contagious Delta variant, our schools reopening and stricter guidelines from the CDC, we decided this morning to postpone the reopening a bit longer.
Our main concern over the past year has been everyone's health and safekeeping. How can we not, when our passion is caring for your pets and keeping them healthy?
We have our reopening protocol in place. (We even replenished the popular lollipops for our clients!) It is a cautious reopening . . . eliminating some curbside services and still keeping our staff and our clients safe. The size of our exam rooms and common areas are dictating these necessary precautions.
We are asking you again for your kind cooperation and patience. You all have been very supportive and understanding for so many months, we really appreciate that!
We are continuing curbside for now. Our staff is wearing masks inside the building and when meeting our clients outside to keep everyone safe. We hope you will do the same. We will keep you posted on any changes.
When making an appointment for your pet or arriving at the Hospital for your appointment, please mention to our receptionist if you currently are:
- Having symptoms of COVID-19.
- Are under evaluation for COVID-19 (for example, waiting for the results of a viral test to confirm infection).
- Have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to discontinue isolation.
For the safety of our staff, we would appreciate if you postpone your appointment or have someone who is healthy bring your pet for you.
If that is not in the best interest of the pet, we will instruct our staff to take the necessary precautions when getting your pet out of the car and while treating your pet.
Protect pets if you are sick (CDC)
If you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed by a test) you should avoid contact with your pets and other animals, just like you would with people.
- When possible, have another member of your household care for your pets while you are sick.
- Avoid contact with your pet including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, and sleeping in the same bed.
- If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you have COVID-19, wear a mask and wash your hands before and after you interact with them
May 25 2021
Dear pet parents,
No more "see ya later" kisses...
The DMAH crew is working on a game plan to re-open the hospital to pet parents for doctor's visits soon. We do not know the exact date yet or all of the details, but we will keep you posted.
We cannot thank our clients enough for your patience and understanding!!!
Clients: Text or call us when you have arrived for your appointment or picking up meds/food
(813-839-6191)
Clients: Please wear your mask when our staff comes out to meet you and your pet.
REMAIN IN YOUR CAR
March 26 2021
Dear clients,
First of all, we want to thank you for your patience and understanding during the 12 (!!) months of COVID-19 and curbside services.
Back in March 2020 we put this protocol in place based on CDC recommendations for lowering the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus and protecting our staff and you, our clients. Our exam rooms are small, and we cannot maintain adequate social distancing between clients and staff. Curbside services allow us to safely stay open and continue to provide the best care that every client and pet deserves.
With COVID-19 vaccinations becoming more widely available in the Tampa Bay area, the end of curbside services is in sight! While we do not know the specific date that we will be able to allow clients to enter the hospital, your kind cooperation just a bit longer is very much appreciated! If you have concerns that you feel are not addressed by our staff going out to your car to talk to you, or during the phone calls with the techs and doctors, please ask for Clemmie Aamodt, our Hospital Administrator.
WHAT TO EXPECT . . .
Pet visit - curbside services Our technicians (wearing a mask) will come out to your car to bring your pet
inside. We will call you from inside to take down your concerns and history of your pet
(just like we do in the exam room).
- We will call you with our findings, recommendations and treatment plan. Any other questions you might have can be addressed at that time. After receiving your approval, we will proceed with the treatment. We will call you when we are done, explain the procedure, make recommendations and go over medications.
- Our receptionists (wearing gloves and mask) will come out to your car to take payment by credit card.
- Your pet will be returned to you by one of our technicians (wearing gloves and mask).
Curbside services: Picking up meds or other items? One of our receptionist (wearing gloves and mask) will bring the items (+ receipt) to you in a clear plastic bag. We will have taken your payment over the phone beforehand. Sorry – no cash accepted at this time.
They will also bring up any other items up (medications, preventatives, etc) in a clear
plastic bag.
MARCH 2021 UPDATE --- WORKING FROM HOME WITH PETS
https://www.preventivevet.com/...
8/11/20 UPDATE
Dear DMAH clients,
We want to thank you for your long time loyalty to Dale Mabry Animal Hospital.
We are asking you for understanding, kindness and patience in these challenging times.
Since the start of the COVID pandemic, we have been struggling with staffing issues and new safety policies, which limit how many patients we can see per day.
With curbside service in place, visits take up to twice as long to give your pets the level of care they deserve, while protecting our clients and staff as much as possible from exposure to COVID-19.
Know that we are doing all we can to help as many people and pets as possible! It is also why we’re working closely with Veterinary Emergency Group and BluePearl Veterinary Partners to get care for sick patients that we cannot see in what we feel is a reasonable time frame.
We would much rather be able to take care of all of our patients here, but when that is not possible we want to do what is best for the patient even if that means sending your pet elsewhere for urgent/emergent care.
If it is possible, please notify us of illnesses or issues with your pet as soon as you recognize a problem – waiting for a few days may result in an ER visit if we do not have availability to see your pet.
Doctors and Staff DALE MABRY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
7/21/20 UPDATE
This is just a friendly reminder for all of our current/upcoming DMAH boarders. As we are going through hurricane season and COVID-19 together, we want to make sure we have everybody's current emergency telephone numbers and the name(s) of the person(s) you are authorizing for pick-up of your pet. In the event of a mandatory Hospital closing, we will contact this number . Please reach out to our receptionists to confirm the emergency numbers we have on file for your boarder(s).
6/23/20 UPDATE
Pet parents, while you are waiting in your car for curbside services, please wear a face mask when talking to our staff and when we take your pet in or out your car.
Even 6 feet may not be enough to stop COVID-19 transmission! Let’s all do our share to limit the spread of COVID-19. We want you and our staff, families and friends to stay healthy and safe!
We sincerely appreciate your kind cooperation.
5/5/20 UPDATE
Please schedule an appointment for ALL services ... including tech visits or bath. Currently, we are not able to accommodate walk-ins, except for emergencies. Also some services might not be available, our apologies and we hope you will understand!
4/28/20 UPDATE
As of May 1, 2020 we will go back to our regular hours and all services!
Text, call, or email us for an appointment or with any questions or concerns you might have. We appreciate your understanding that an appointment might be several days out.
For now, we will continue with curbside services* to keep you and our staff safe and healthy.
It will be good to see you and your pets again!
Regular Hospital Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 am until 5:30 pm. The last appointment is at 5:00 pm.
Saturday 7:30 am until noon. The last appointment is at 11:30 am.
* see explanation below
3/31/20 UPDATE
We made the (temporary) change in our Hospital hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 am until 4:30 pm. The last appointment is at 4 pm. Saturday 7:30 am until noon. The last appointment is at 11:30 am
Tampa, March 27, 2020
Hillsborough County’s “Safer at Home” order is going into effect
Friday March 27, 2020 at 10 pm.
Veterinarians are designated as critical and essential businesses.
At this time, we will remain open for business* (Curbside Service for appointments and pick-up of medications, preventatives, food etc.) during our regular hours and will continue working hard to provide the level of care you have come to expect from us!
*Some of our services might not be available while the “Safer at Home” Order is in effect
As veterinary industry experts, we are always vigilant about communicable diseases that can impact our patients, their owners, and staff.
With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, we are taking extra measures above and beyond our already-high standards to help ensure the safety of everyone:
- As the situation is rapidly changing, we are regularly monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and federal and state/local agencies to follow all recommended protocol;
- We are using medical-grade disinfectants more frequently in high traffic areas, including, door handles, light switches, faucets, front counters, phones, keyboards, exam rooms, restrooms, and more;
- All employees are reminded to stay home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms;
- We ask those pet owners who have an appointment with us and are feeling under the weather to please call our office before coming in so we can determine the best plan for taking care of your pet.
Thank you so much for understanding! If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please let us know!
Hansel B. Leavengood, DVM
Robert J. Moore, DVM
Text/Tel 813-839-6191
[email protected]
Call us ( 813-839-6191) when you are in our parking lot for your appointment or pick-up.
Please stay in your car.
UPDATED per 4/30/ 2020
Picking up meds or other items? One of our receptionist (wearing gloves and mask) will bring the items (+ receipt) to you in a clear plastic bag. We will have taken your payment over the phone beforehand. Sorry – no cash accepted at this time.
Pet visit - curbside services
- Our technicians (wearing gloves and mask) will come out to your car to bring your pet
inside. We will call you from inside to take down your concerns and history of your pet
(just like we do in the exam room). - We will call you with our findings, recommendations and treatment plan. Any other
questions you might have can be addressed at that time. After receiving your approval,
we will proceed with the treatment. We will call you when we are done, explain the
procedure, make recommendations and go over medications. - Our receptionists (wearing gloves and mask) will come out to your car to take payment
by credit card. - Your pet will be returned to you by one of our technicians (wearing gloves and mask).
They will also bring up any other items up (medications, preventatives, etc) in a clear
plastic bag.
https://dalemabry.vetsfirstchoice.com/
CDC COVID-19 website "If You Have Animals"
What You Need to Know About Covid-19 and Pets
If you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
City of Tampa Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information
https://www.tampagov.net/emergency-management/covid-19
