Dear Clients,

It has been quite a whirlwind during the last two years. We appreciate everyone’s patience in dealing with the COVID-19 protocols that we are required to put in place. While we care deeply for all of your pets, we are quite short handed these days and we ask for your continued patience while triaging all of the requests for appointments.

When requesting appointments, please stay calm and understand that we have everyone’s needs in mind. Verbal outbursts at our staff are never welcome, and they only serve to further stress and overburden the very people who want to help you!

When we ask that you take an appointment further than your requested date, it is only because we have both of our doctors currently booked until that appointment. The same goes for our technician appointments. The need for vaccinations due to the Leptospirosis and Canine Influenza outbreaks have pushed all of our technician appointments at least 1 month in advance. Should you have to wait for these vaccines, please take caution when visiting canine social situations and areas where wildlife frequent. If an immediate concern arises where you feel you need the vaccines sooner than we can give you an appointment, we will try to fit your pet in (please note that an additional fee is applied in this case!).

We strive to provide everyone with the best in veterinary care, and we truly appreciate all of you in remaining patient and continuing to use our services. We thank you all!

Dear Valued Clients and Families Please read then call our office (310)207-0651,

As of June 28^th, 2021, we will be re-opening our doors for clientele who have appointments with our doctors. We have a limited number of these in-person appointments available. We do ask that all visitors wear a mask while in our facility in order to protect those of our staff and other clients who have not been vaccinated.

The following precautions will be taken to protect you, our doctors and our staff from the potential spread of the COVID-19 while continuing to provide care. Please do not think us unfriendly if we do not shake your hand as we may have done in the past. By avoiding illness, these measures will allow us to continue to offer services and keep our staff healthy.

• When booking appointments, you now have the option of using our concierge service or in-person appointment service. Please inform our staff which you would prefer when booking the appointment. Please be advised, we have a limited number of these in-person appointments available.
• All in-person appointments should still call our reception when they get to the parking lot, and we can put you in the queue for entering the waiting area.
• Once in the waiting area, please refrain from crowding around the front desk. Once inside we will either direct you to a room or to a place to sit in the waiting area while we prepare a room for you.
• Once your appointment is completed, please remain in the exam room until we have completed medication preparations and discharge information. We will then ask that you come to the waiting area to pay for your visit.

• We are still using the concierge system for ALL drop-offs, surgeries, and medication or diet pick-ups. If you are dropping/ picking up your pet from a drop off appointment or surgery, or picking up medications or diets, please call from the lot and we will deliver your items/ pets to your car. This will cut down on congestion in the building.

DO NOT ENTER our building if you are experiencing flu-like or cold symptoms, please use our concierge protocol that we already have in place. All concierge appointments will be handled as we currently do, with technicians collecting pets from the parking lot and communication handled via the telephone.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

The Staff and Doctors at Stewart Veterinary Group

The Concierge protocols will remain in effect for drop off/pick up appointments even after June 28th

There’s no doubt that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating challenges for all of us, both personally and professionally. First and foremost, we hope that you, your family and your pet(s) are remaining safe and healthy. We are writing to keep you informed of our recommendations as well as the steps we are taking to continue offering the care your pets need while providing you and our associates a safe environment.

We always keep our hospital clean and disinfected, and we have increased both the frequency and scope of these cleanings in accordance with CDC recommendations to help ensure both our clients and associates are kept safe. Similarly, handwashing hygiene is critically important in a hospital, a step we continue to emphasize to staff and clients. As always, we provide options for hand cleaning for clients and associates, and we work closely with our teams to ensure that anyone who is not feeling well understands that we support them staying home.

What do I do if I have been exposed to the coronavirus while my pet needs care?

In order to help us continue to serve pets in need, we ask that clients who have recently traveled to a high-risk country, had any exposure to symptomatic or confirmed positive cases, or confirmed positive themselves not bring their pets in the hospital unless they are having a medical emergency.

If your pet is due for routine care (annual exams, vaccines, dental cleanings, nail trims, or any other non-urgent appointments), please call us to discuss rescheduling to a later time. If it is determined that your appointment cannot be rescheduled for medical reasons, and your appointment is necessary, we ask that you have a healthy family member or friend bring your pet to the visit.

We have implemented a curbside concierge appointment protocol. Details can be read by clicking the link below:

Curbside Concierge Appointment Protocol

I have not been exposed and my pet is scheduled for a visit or is sick.

If your pet is sick or scheduled for routine care, we are open and fully operational. We recommend you follow these simple steps:

At SVG, we have various ways to help care for your pets without a trip or call to the hospital at this time:

Text Messaging: You can reply to texts from our Ezyvet software. Texting is only available during operating hours, and response times vary by hospital.

Email: You May send us an email with questions, keeping in mind that response time may be a bit delayed. Use info@stewartvet.com.

We know many of our clients consider their pets members of the family and, as such, are concerned about the health of ALL family members. When it comes to the health of your pet, your veterinarian is your best resource! Here is what you should know about COVID-19 and pets:

What is the coronavirus impact on pet health? Can dogs or cats get COVID-19?
Based on what we know currently, there is limited evidence to support any risk of COVID-19 to your pet and no evidence that you are at risk from your pet.

What if my pet’s not feeling well or is showing signs of flu-like illness?
If your pet shows any signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing or lethargy, call us immediately and keep them indoors to prevent further spread. Signs of illness in dogs and cats are usually associated with various common viral and bacterial infections (kennel cough, canine flu, etc.) that are neither coronaviruses nor transmissible to people.

Should my pet wear a mask?
No. There’s no scientific evidence that face masks protect pets from infectious diseases or air pollutants, and masks have the potential to be unnecessarily scary or uncomfortable for pets.

Should I get my pet tested for COVID-19?
At this time, testing pets for COVID-19 is unwarranted, as there is currently no indication that apparently healthy and unexposed pets should be tested for the virus.

Where can I get more information on COVID-19?
You can get the latest information from reputable sources such as:

Please rest assured that SVG is monitoring the situation closely and that we will continue to consult and seek input from internal and external experts to provide the best guidance and advice for you, our valued clients. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns. (310)207-0651, info@stewartvet.com