5.02.22
We are so happy to announce we have lifted COVID restrictions. We are no longer requiring masks, or limiting the number of people in an exam room. However, if clients are sick, we still ask that they do not come in (can have friend/family member bring pet in, or remain curbside).
2.04.22
10.07.21
We are so happy to have clients back in our hospital with us! We are still offering Curbside Critter Care to those who prefer to remain outside the hospital, but we are allowing ONE adult and ONE child per family into the hospital with your pet(s). Those accompanying their pet(s) into the hospital will be required to wear a mask at all times. If you come from a COVID positive household with active infection, you will NOT be allowed into the hospital. You will need to have someone from OUTSIDE of your household bring your pet as we WILL still see your pet. We look forward to seeing you soon!
2.21.21
We are happy to announce a return to in-person veterinary services at Pine Creek Vet. On Monday, Feb 15th, we will still be offering Curbside Critter Care but we are opening the hospital again to allow ONE person per family into the hospital with your pet(s). This ONE person will be required to wear a mask at all times in the hospital. If you come from a COVID positive household with active infection, you will NOT be allowed into the hospital. PERIOD. You will need to have someone from OUTSIDE of your household bring your pet as we WILL still see your pet. We look forward to seeing you soon !
12.22.20
Dear PCVH Friends and Family, Although we would love to think that we are immune to the effects of COVID-19, with such widespread transmission in the Pikes Peak Region, the virus entered our building and required most of our staff to be isolated for a period of time. We are back to full operating capacity now; however, in an effort to balance the health and safety of our team with continuing to provide your pet with medical and surgical care, we have returned to Curbside Critter Care. When you arrive at the hospital, please call or text 719-955-0966 and one of our team members will assist you immediately.
Thank you for your continued support and loyalty.
6.02.20 Allowing Pet Parents Into The Hospital
We truly understand how difficult it is to be away from your beloved pet and have them “whisked” away into the hospital as you wait outside during their appointment, and we appreciate everyone’s patience during the tumultuous time as we navigated some strange waters!
As we continue to adjust to a gradual reintroduction to a more normal life, we feel the time has come to allow pet parents to accompany their furry family members into the hospital!
We WILL still provide CURBSIDE critter care! It’s completely your choice. Below is the updated appointment policy:
- When making your appointment, we will ask you if you would like Curbside Care or if you’d like to accompany your pet into the hospital.
- When making your appointment, we will continue to inquire if anyone in the household has tested positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms thereof. It hopefully goes without saying that you will have to stay home and send someone else with your pet instead if the pet comes from a COVID-19 environment (or suspected). We will still gladly see your pet though!
- If you elect to come inside with your pet, we will allow ONE person with the pet in the hospital and ask any other family members remain outside during the appointment.
- Once you arrive, please call or text the office to inform us you have arrived. We will call you when we have an examination room cleaned and open. At this point, please bring your pet into the hospital accompanied by ONE person.
- We ask that no one comes into the hospital until asked to do so, so we can avoid having the waiting room full of people.
- We will have hand sanitizer stations at the entrance to the hospital and in each examination room, and we ask you use it immediately upon entry to the hospital.
- Our staff will wear their masks at all times, and we ask that you consider the same.
- The nurse will check you out in your exam room and escort you outside the building once your appointment has been completed.
3.25.20 Pine Creek Vet Considered Essential Business for Stay-at-home Order
By now, most of you have heard of the a state wide stay-at-home order Governor Polis issued in Colorado in effect until April 11th. Click Here to see the latest order.
As a health care provider, we are considered “essential business” and therefore are allowed to remain open while we continue to take the utmost precaution in protecting you, our clients, and our amazing staff! The AVMA deems veterinary practices as essential business as we provide, among many others, the following essential services:
1. Frontline veterinary practitioners and staff are among the healthcare professionals who provide surveillance for diseases deemed reportable by state and federal governments, including zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, Leptospirosis and Lyme Disease. They are also responsible for issuing certificates of veterinary inspection that are required for the movement of animals between states and countries, including those entering the food supply.
2. Veterinary practices provide medical and surgical care daily for critically ill and injured animals.
3. Veterinarians provide care for service and therapy animals, supporting both animal and human welfare.
4. Veterinarians and our support staff are trusted professionals involved in disaster situations. While perhaps different from a statutory and regulatory perspective, the training, education, and experience of veterinarians and our staff in disasters are clearly transferable skills in whatever COVID-19 risk mitigation is deemed necessary.
The doctors and staff at PCVH are also closely monitoring dogs and cats for any possible signs of transmission of COVID-19 to our pets. “It is still the opinion of experts that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted person-to-person and supports the recommendation against testing pets for the COVID-19 virus. For dogs or cats presenting with respiratory signs, the recommendation is to contact a veterinarian to test for more (other) common respiratory pathogens”. One of the nation’s leading veterinary diagnostic company, IDEXX, has completed testing of thousands of dogs and cats for COVID-19 and all have returned NEGATIVE!
We thank you for your continued support as we provide an essential service to our community and to your pets. Your support also enables us to continue to keep our amazing, caring and loyal staff employed. We are going to continue to provide essential medical and surgical care for your pets, while we continue to maintain strict sanitation against COVID-19 and follow all guidelines for community and staff safety against COVID-19. Please let me reassure you, at present, there is no indication that your pets can transmit or carry COVID-19.
3.23.20 Elective and Nonessential Surgeries or Procedures Suspended
AVMA: COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners
AAHA: First dog to test positive for COVID-19 dies
3.20.20 Elective and Nonessential Surgeries or Procedures Suspended
Governor Polis signed an executive order today suspending elective and nonessential surgeries and procedures “to preserve important medical equipment, like personal protective equipment and ventilators, needed to combat COVID-19.” To view the complete executive order click here. This order goes into effect Monday, March 23rd, 2020 and extends to at least April 14th, 2020. This execute order impacts our veterinary hospital and you, our clients. We will contact each client privately whose pet will be immediately affected by this order.
Here is an excerpt from the order as it pertains to our surgery patients:
A voluntary or elective surgery or procedure means that the surgery can be delayed for a minimum of three months without undue risk to the current or future health of the patient as determined by the guidelines developed by the hospital, surgical center or other treating medical facility.
Surgeries or procedures, whether medical, dental, or veterinary, may proceed if: (1) there is a threat to the patient’s life if the surgery or procedure is not performed; (2) there is a threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system if the surgery or procedure is not performed; (3) there is a risk of metastasis or progression of staging of a disease or condition if the surgery or procedure is not performed; or (4) there is a risk that the patient’s condition will rapidly deteriorate if the surgery or procedure is not performed and there is a threat to life, or to an extremity or organ system, or of permanent dysfunction or disability.
The doctors and staff at PCVH WILL CONTINUE to provide medical and essential surgical procedures as well as provide emergency or urgent care for your pets, our patients!
For the protection of our employees and clients, we are updating our policy regarding appointment seen at our hospital. We ask all clients kindly adhere to the following guidelines when bringing your pet to our hospital:
* Upon arrival at PCVH, ALL clients are asked to call or text us from their car (719) 955-0966.
* We ask you stay either in their vehicle or outside in the open field observing the recommended 6 feet social distancing.
* Our staff will collect information from the client and explain how the appointment will work.
* You may either elect to wait (outside) while your pet is cared for OR you may drop-off your pet and return when your pet is ready for release from the hospital.
* A nurse, who will have a mask on, will meet you outside and escort your pet inside for their exam. The doctor will perform a complete exam and will communicate with clients by phone to discuss their findings, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, etc.
* Discharge instructions will be printed, and all medication prescriptions will be brought along with the pet back to the client at their vehicle.
* Reception team member will then call to obtain payment over the phone.
Please join us as, together, we pray for this terrible situation to soon end, for those who have endured the loss of a loved one, and for those dealing with the consequences of this terrible pandemic.
3.19.20 Updates to Appointment Scheduling
PCVH Family and Friends,
As we continue to navigate the challenges that COVID-19 poses our community, we have updated how we will see our patients until the situation has passed. Upon arriving at our hospital, please CALL or TEXT us at 719-955-0966 prior to entrance to the hospital In an effort to accommodate all of our clients and their pets, we will offer three different appointment options:
NOTE: The AVMA has requested we postpone routine annual physicals.
- Regular doctors appointment in hospital where you may STAY with your pet at all times in an exam room. In an effort to provide the utmost safety for you and our staff, we ask that you remain OUTSIDE and TEXT or CALL us at 719-955-0966 when you arrive at the hospital. We ask that you WAIT until we TEXT or CALL you back informing you that your examination room is ready for you to enter the hospital.
- Drop Off doctors appointment where you will remain OUTSIDE and TEXT or CALL us at 719-955-0966 when you arrive at the hospital. Our nurses will come outside to escort your pet into the hospital and the doctor will perform their examination as time permits through the day. You can then pick up your pet once our doctor calls you informing you that your pet is ready for pickup. Again, TEXT or CALL from the parking lot when you return and we will promptly bring your pet to your car.
- Variant – Drop Off exam appointments where you remain OUTSIDE and TEXT or CALL us at 719-955-0966 when you arrive at the hospital. Our nurses will come outside to escort your pet into the hospital and the doctor will perform their examination WHILE YOU WAIT OUTSIDE. The doctor will either call you or come out and discuss their findings. We will then bring your
pet to your car. - EMERGENCY examinations. We will continue to see emergency examinations immediately upon arrival to the hospital and understand if time does not permit you to call or text us from outside in the parking lot.
Curbside Pickup
If you need to pick up medications for your pet or other supplies, please CALL or TEXT us at 719-955-0966 and we will bring it right out to your vehicle.