COVID-19 Guidelines Updated for Ohana Clients

May 2, 2022

We are happy to announce we are continuing our reopening plan* with some big changes as of April 13, 2022! 

Effective April 13, 2022, all doctors will see appointments in the hospital (though you still have the option of doing curbside appointments if that is better for you or your pet)!

When you arrive for your in-hospital appointment, please come inside to the front desk to get checked in. We are limiting visits to 2 clients per appointment. Your pet’s physical exam will happen with you in the exam room with your pet’s veterinarian and one of our staff members. When you come into the exam room, you can wear your mask if you’d prefer, but it is not required. We will still bring your pet to our treatment room if treatments and/or diagnostics are needed.

To help keep our patients as calm as possible, we will continue to ask our clients to wait in their car or run and grab a coffee if we need more time to care for your pet. For this same reason, we will also continue to do work-in exams and tech appointments via curbside appointments. If you have a curbside appointment, please call our hospital to let us know you have arrived.

If you are visiting for a pharmacy pick-up, please feel free to come inside to the front desk.

*Ohana Pet Hospital reserves the right to change these plans should we deem there is a hazard, or another outbreak.

What is Ohana doing to minimize my risk of exposure to the Coronavirus?

• We require that all staff frequently wash their hands: a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water
• No handshaking
• Sick staff are asked to stay home
• We use medical grade disinfectants that kill the Coronavirus
• We have stringent and frequent cleaning and disinfection protocols in place
• We have accommodations to provide pet medical care for high-risk clients that wish to minimize their exposure
• We discourage ill clients from bringing their pets into the hospital (but we have accommodations for us to still provide care to their pets – e.g. drop off exams)

What do I do if I’m having flu-like symptoms (and not necessarily the Coronavirus) and my pet needs to be brought in?

• Call the hospital ahead of time or when scheduling your pet’s appointment. Let us know that you are sick so we can show you into an exam room right away or arrange a drop-off appointment, etc.
• Arrange for someone else to bring your pet in for you
• Staff may offer you a courtesy mask
• Staff may wear protective equipment (mask, gown, gloves) for their protection

What do I do if I have a known exposure or have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus and my pet needs to be brought in?

• Please call us first to let us know the nature of your pet’s problem and how urgent you think the matter is.
• Prior to bringing your pet in we will need to consult with the State Public Health Veterinarian for direction as to how to proceed. Once we receive instruction, we will contact you with a plan for your pet.
• There is no known risk that you can get the Coronavirus from your pets, however, if you are diagnosed with the Coronavirus, the CDC recommends that you have another person care for them. While you are sick, you should minimize physical contact and interaction with your pets including: kissing, snuggling, sharing food, co-sleeping, and feeding, etc. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – FAQ Page

What do I do if I am healthy but at high risk for contracting the Coronavirus and my pet needs to be brought in?

• Please let us know at the time you schedule your appointment or call us prior to your appointment day/time so we can discuss accommodation options to have you and your pet seen. We are happy to continue curbside appointments for those who wish to do so.

Other Resources:

For the latest update on Coronavirus and pets, please refer to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website.

The Centers for Disease Control is also constantly updating their information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Fully Vaccinated Guidelines