DORR, Mich. — Dr. Kayce Koski is used to seeing a lot more humans at Dorr Veterinary Clinic. But with the stay-at-home mandate, she's the only veterinarian on duty, so the staff is much lighter than usual.
However, the number of animals she's seeing remains constant, as clinics like hers have been deemed essential and are open for business.
"Not only are pets out there getting hurt or injured on a regular basis, but they also need to have comfort care," Koski said.
"And puppies need the appropriate vaccinations to combat diseases, like Parvo virus, which can be deadly if it's contracted by a puppy."
Koski added that her clinic is also concerned about zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that go from animals to humans, and referenced the case of the tiger at a Bronx zoo that tested positive for COVID-19.
But she said there is little risk of the new coronavirus to be transmitted from a pet to a human.
"From what we know so far, there have been absolutely zero cases of animal-to-human transmission of the COVID-19," Koski said.
While annual checkups are being re-scheduled for when the stay-at-home mandate has passed, urgent care is still available and is the primary focus of the clinic's day-to-day operations.
The clinic has set up physical distancing rules based on the state's guidelines, including curbside service where pet owners aren't allowed into the building. Exams are done away from the owner, so they aren't in an isolated room together. They are also utilizing telemedicine when it can be done remotely.
But there are exceptions.
"In the rare exception where we have to do a humane euthanasia, we will allow an owner to be with their pet, because that's a very compassionate time where they want to be present a lot of the times," Koski said.
Those in Dorr and the surrounding area can find the Dorr Veterinary Clinic at 3752 18th St.
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