COVID-19

23 April

Veterinary Board of Governors issues updated information on record-keeping during the COVID-19 crisis

wsvma   |   COVID-19

The Veterinary Board of Governors has updated its guidance on providing essential services and keeping records during the emergency. Essential Procedures Additional Guidance COVID-19 Non-Urgent Medical Procedures should be delayed to preserve medical equipment and supplies. Each patient and situation is unique. Therefore, the veterinarian must exercise sound professional judgment to determine which situations may be safely managed via telemedicine, which may be safely postponed, and which can only be appropriately managed in-person without postponement. New: Medical records should reflect the decision to postpone...

Read More
23 April

New CDC Guidance for Veterinary Clinics

wsvma   |   COVID-19

CDC has published new Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics during the COVID-19 Response. This guidance is for veterinarians and veterinary staff providing care to companion animals. The intent of this guidance is to facilitate preparedness and to ensure practices are in place in a veterinary clinical setting to help people and animals stay safe and healthy.   Posted April 23, 2020...

Read More
23 April

The Paycheck Protection Program and Loan Forgiveness

wsvma   |   COVID-19

The CARES Act (the “Act”) hallmark provision is the potential for loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). As PPP funds are received by businesses, now is the time to strategize for maximum loan forgiveness. The PPP has been advertised as a grant, and, in many respects, it can function like one. However, the onus is on businesses to earn 100% loan forgiveness. Many will find this a difficult endeavor. This article examines business loan forgiveness considerations. The Act enumerates...

Read More
21 April

WSDA SARS-CoV-2 Animal Testing GUIDANCE

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Animal Testing Authorization: The Center of Disease Control (CDC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and National Association of Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) do not recommend that companion animals be tested routinely for SARS-CoV-2. Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in animals can only be made in Washington by the Washington State Veterinarian, Dr. Brian Joseph or, in the event he is unavailable, Washington State Assistant State. Veterinarian, Dr. Amber Itle...

Read More
21 April

Important message from the Veterinary Board of Governors

wsvma   |   COVID-19

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Washington State Veterinary Board of Governors (board) is working to assist the veterinary community by sharing information about governmental actions and by developing messages, policies, or rules to further support the profession. Essential Procedures – In a previous communication, the board provided information about the governor’s proclamation that COVID-19 Non Urgent Medical Procedures should be delayed to preserve medical equipment and supplies and that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published guidance on this topic. The...

Read More
21 April

New COVID-19 Links

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Updated information from AVMA: Sharing PPE, ventilators, and personnel in support of human medicine AVMA press release: National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition offers tips for safely sheltering at home with pets during the COVID-19 crisis (April 15) AVMA blog posts: COVID-19: Answering the call together (April 18) Small business loans: Latest COVID-19 update (April 16) COVID-19: Managing employees who are ill or may be exposed (April 16) COVID-19 triage: Determining which cases are urgent (April 15)   Posted April 21, 2020...

Read More
17 April

COVID-19 and Pets Study

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Corona viruses are found in multiple animal species and can be zoonotic (transmitted between animals and humans). The SARS CoV2 virus that causes COVID19 is believed to have jumped to humans from a bat reservoir via an intermediate animal host. What is unclear is whether animals in close contact with human COVID19 patients could be involved in the spread of the virus. Isolated reports of dogs and cats testing positive, limited experimental studies documenting successful infection of cats and ferrets,...

Read More
17 April

WSVMA launches free COVID-19 Wellbeing Webinar Series – Hardiness, Resilience and Growth in the Face of Uncertainty and Disruption

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, COVID-19

Beginning next Thursday, April 23 at 12 pm, we offer the first in a series of three webinars aimed at assisting the veterinary community in coping and even thriving during the pandemic and other major disasters. Our keynote is Dr. Carrie La Jeunesse. The COVID-19 pandemic is historic in its scope and impact, and has thrust us all into unknown territory. In the words of a beloved colleague, “we all will be impacted significantly by this crisis, but we do not...

Read More
17 April

New AVMA COVID-19 guidance released on essential services and managing employees with COVID-19 exposure

wsvma   |   COVID-19

COVID-19 triage: Determining which cases are urgent Veterinary practices provide essential services that need to be available during the COVID-19 pandemic. But whenever veterinary teams come into contact with clients, there's risk of COVID-19 transmission. A new AVMA triage resource is available to help veterinary teams identify urgent versus non-urgent cases and determine when in-person examinations are necessary. It includes a downloadable flowchart with recommendations for managing cases that are urgent, potentially urgent, and not currently urgent. Visit the [email protected]

Read More
16 April

An important message from the Employment Security Department

wsvma   |   COVID-19

The WSVMA wants to make sure everyone is aware of the constantly changing information regarding employment and unemployment assistance. To that end, please see the important message below from the Employment Security Department. Dear Employers, During these unprecedented times, we know that you are doing everything you possibly can to support your employees. That’s why we are reaching out to offer our help if needed, as well as ask for your help with our efforts. Note – if you are a sole-proprietor...

Read More