This week was about the strangest week I've had in 12 years of veterinary practice. As you can see in the picture above, I spent the week examining my patients without their people. (It was so weird!) Those of you that came out to see us, thank you so much for your understanding and patience as we began to navigate this unfolding pandemic. After spending the week continually making plans for all the "what ifs" I'm very tired, but I wanted to sit down and update you all on the current situation and our plans going forward.

We began the week doing curbside service by taking pets into the building without their owners for exam and treatment. Midweek we stopped seeing wellness appointments, elective surgeries, and non-essential services (boarding, nailtrims, etc) to minimize public traffic, reduce staff exposure, and to conserve PPE such as masks and gloves. With the new "shelter in place" order, we are allowed to stay open but will continue to see only urgent and emergency cases for the time being, by appointment only.

As you can imagine, changing and limiting our business in this way is stressful and challenging. Since we consider you partners in your pet's health, I'd like to share some ways you can help:

*Veterinary clinics are local small businesses. They will all need support just like restaurants and other stores that have had to close or limit their services. You can help us out in a couple of ways. We are still refilling medications and prescription diets at the clinic for pickup. Please call ahead (217-826-3185) and let us know what you need so we can have it ready for you.

*Buying things directly from us in the clinic helps us the most, but if you can't get out, we have other options. If you need pet food, we have a home delivery service called Hills to Home that can supply you with both prescription and regular pet food.  We also have an online store for prescriptions and non prescription items that ship directly to you.  Both of these options give you the convenience of home delivery like the big online retailers while instead supporting your local vet clinic.  If you need help with ordering from either site, please give the office a call and we'll be happy to help.

*Do your part to keep your pets healthy. Being home, it may be tempting to give extra treats or people food. Please don't make any sudden changes in your pet's diet that may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Do take them for an extra walk or give them some extra playtime or attention instead.

*At this time, there is no concrete evidence to support that pets can be infected. However, this is a brand new virus, so there are still lots of unknowns. If you are sick, you may want to ask another member of your household to take over pet care duties. Please the AVMA FAQ for pet owners.

*If you or a member of your household is ill or is self-isolating due to potential exposure, please let us know when the appointment is booked so we may take extra precautions ourselves. Do not come to the clinic yourself if you are experiencing any signs of illness of any kind. If we get sick, we will not be able to care for your pets (or any others) for several weeks!

*Please be patient with our team as we try to provide good service while following the recommendations of the CDC and AVMA. Keep in mind we are risking exposure for the good of your pets and livestock. A smile and a thank you go a long way!

*Please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for the latest updates. We will do our best to communicate our plans as they develop. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns!

Thank you so much for your support and understanding,

Dr. Yeley