Can't really do exotic triage from home

 The world is definitely in a turmoil right now.  Keep calm and safe as you can be.  We will be here as long as we can to help you in any way that we can.  Please see the posting here for guidelines on bringing your pet in.  Know that we are following the AVMA guidelines for keeping our hospital a safe place to visit.
 
Dear Chicago Exotics Clients,
 
We would like to update you on recent developments concerning COVID-19. We know it’s a time of uncertainty, and we hope that providing reliable information and data can be helpful and comforting to many of you. 

COVID-19 Update

Please be advised that Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital has implemented new protocols because of concerns about spreading COVID-19. These protocols go into effect immediately. Our goal is to take care of your pets, while adhering to the recommendations of the CDC and limiting personal contact as much as possible. At CEAH, we want to be particularly cautious about COVID-19 to help protect you, your family and our staff.
 
We ask that no one with active COVID-19 visit the practice, as doing so could expose members of our team, as well as other clients, to the disease. In addition, while there isn’t any evidence that the vast majority of animals play a role in the spread of COVID-19, disease prevention protocols are still being vigilantly followed here. 
  

• Update 4/30/20 - We are accepting non-urgent and urgent care appointments at this time.
• Please come to your appointment on time. We would like to reduce the number of people in our waiting room to the minimum. Note that you may be asked to wait in your car while your pet is being treated. 
• If you cannot make it on time to your appointment, please be courteous to our other clients, patients, and staff. Call to cancel your appointment in advance so we can give another pet the slot. 
• Visits to hospitalized patients will be limited. 
• Please clean your carrier as carefully as you can before your arrival with an alcohol-based solution.
• Please use sanitizing agents at the front desk as soon as you arrive.
• Please respect social distancing recommendations and maintain a distance of 6 feet from others and refrain from handshakes.

 
At Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, the health of you and your pet is extremely important to us and while we love to see each and every one of you, your health and safety as well as our staff’s is of the utmost importance. 

Can My Pet Get COVID-19?

Many of you have emailed and called us today asking if you could get or spread Covid-19 from/to their pet. Below is a short answer from the AVMA website. 
 
"Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people."
 
"Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a face mask; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with them."
 
Be healthy and safe,
 
Dr. Horton and the CEAH Team