April 8th, 2020
Covid-19 and Your Pets
By now a lot of you have heard about the tiger in the Bronx zoo that tested positive for the Coronavirus having been infected by an infected zookeeper. Other big cats in the same environment showed similar respiratory signs. Since testing requires general anesthesia only the one tiger was tested (on a happier note all the big cats are improving). Some of you may also be aware that globally the Coronavirus has been found in TWO dogs and TWO cats all infected by their owners, sick with COVID-19. The dogs did not show clinical signs while the cat's did. Other pets in the same environment did NOT test positive.
The latest information is that in dogs, the virus replicates(reproduces) poorly and does not cause disease in the dog nor can one dog infect another. In cats and ferrets the Coronavirus did replicate and was able to be transmitted between other cats and ferrets when the animals were EXPERIMENTALLY infected. Please remember while the vast number of cat owners who have been infected, the number of cats showing clinical signs is less than a handful. All of the cats affected were infected by their owners who had the disease. All the alphabet scientific groups (AVMA, CDC, USDA, etc.) agree that our pets are NOT a source of infection to us.
The latest recommendation is that those who are infected with the Coronavirus should isolate not only from other people but also from their pets if possible. Leave the care of your four-legged friends to healthy humans so that your pets will not be infected by you. Again, there is no evidence whatsoever that your pets can give you the Coronavirus and considering the number of Coronavirus cases we have in the United States and globally it is extremely unlikely that you will infect your pets should you unfortunately have COVID-19. However, social distancing from your pets WHEN you are sick with Coronavirus is recommended.
As always, we will stay on top of the latest news and recommendations that concern you and your pets. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the MLVH at (631) 298-1177.
Stay safe, Stay well,
Dr. Timpone & the Entire MLVH Staff
April 7th, 2020
Thank you to Wendys Deli for our lunch!
March 31, 2020
Well Wishes from Dr. Timpone
Dear friends,
I know a number of you have been asking for me and I just wanted you to know that I am doing well. Unfortunately, I am under strict orders from my doctors (and my wife) not to go out in public. I DO NOT have coronavirus but I am one of those high-risk individuals that would not fare well if I was exposed to it. Please know that I am in daily contact with my staff and I continue to consult with ongoing medical cases via telemedicine.
Please phone MLVH at (631) 298-1177 to schedule a telemedicine appointment. I am hoping this doctor-imposed isolation ends soon and I can get back to seeing my MLVH family, furry friends and doing what I love. Till then I thank you for your concerns and wish all of you good health.
Stay safe. Stay well
Dr. Timpone
March 21, 2020
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are asking our clients to refrain from scheduling an appointment if you or a family member have been quarantined, been in contact with someone who has been quarantined or have traveled abroad within the last two weeks. Please call our office at (631) 298-1177 to inform our receptionists and we will gladly try our best to address your pet's medical needs over the phone.
We are rescheduling all well visits, senior visits, and vaccinations. We will be doing this one week at a time. Our receptionist are now calling our well appointments for the week of March 23rd – March 28th 2020. On March 26th we will start calling well visits for the following week. If your pet is due for vaccines or their annual visit, please call the office and we can start scheduling for late May and June. If necessary, we can always reschedule. Appointments will be filling fast.
If you have a scheduled essential appointment, we ask that you please stay in your car and phone the front desk when you have arrived. We are now asking that all family members stay in their cars. Our assistants and technicians will come out and pick up your pet(s). Once in the office exam room, the doctor will call your cell phone to get the proper history for your pet(s). All scheduled surgeries and procedures will be handled in the same manner. After your visit our receptionist will call your cell phone to get your credit card information. If you are paying by cash or check, our technicians/assistants will come and get your payment from your car and will bring you your change. To keep everyone safe we would prefer the use of credit or debit cards at this time.
Having to work with one or two clients at a time has slowed down our staff. Please be patient and we will see everyone. If you have to come in with a sick animal or to pick up food or medication in pm please call ahead.
We will have brand new pens for you at the front desk, please take the one you use home with you! We appreciate your patience and help in keeping our MLVH Family safe and healthy.
Thank you for your continued support! Dr. Timpone, & the Entire MLVH Staff
Here are websites/contacts that may be helpful:
- www.avma.org for FAQS on COVID-19
- National Association of County and City Health Officials: 202-783-5550 or [email protected]
- Andie Newman – NY STATE Public Health Veterinarian: 518-473-4439
- CDC Emergency Operations Center: 770-488-7100
- Suffolk County Health Department - Public Health Nurse: 631- 854-0333
March 13, 2020
As you may have heard there have been quite a few cases of Coronavirus diagnosed in our community. In an effort to keep our clients, staff and hence our pets safe and healthy we are asking the following:
- Please, if you are not feeling well stay home and away from public places. If you have a scheduled wellness visit planned for your pet while you are sick please call us to reschedule that visit. If you are not feeling well and your pet is ill, please call us as well as your public health official to determine how to best ensure your pet can be appropriately cared for while minimizing risks of transmitting COVID-19 to other people.
- If you have been tested positive for COVID-19 you must speak with the public health official working with you. Your public health official can then consult with a public health veterinarian who, in turn, can provide assistance to your veterinarian to ensure your pet is appropriately evaluated.
- Currently there is no clinical testing available in the U.S. for animals of any kind.
- As of now, there is no evidence that pets can get sick from the COVID-19 virus.
- There is no evidence to suggest that pets can spread COVID-19 to other people or other pets. But, out of an abundance of caution, if you are diagnosed with COVID -19 the AVMA recommends you take the same common-sense approach when interacting with your pet as you would with other people.
Here are websites/contacts that may be helpful:
- www.avma.org for FAQS on COVID-19
- National Association of County and City Health Officials: 202-783-5550 or [email protected]
- Andie Newman – NY STATE Public Health Veterinarian: 518-473-4439
- CDC Emergency Operations Center: 770-488-7100
- Suffolk County Health Department - Public Health Nurse: 631- 854-0333