Announcements and Events

UPDATE ON POLICY AND COVID-19
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Due to an increase in local cases, we have elected to return to full curbside service for all appointments, surgeries, and prescription/food pick up effective Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

• We are still seeing appointments as we have been. Please note, this may change as the local outbreak changes if our staffing is affected.
  
  
• Clients will not be allowed in the clinic. We ask that you remain in your vehicle throughout the duration of your visit. We will contact you via phone to discuss exam findings, treatment recommendations, etc. and to finalize payment.
  
  
• Please call us at 608-372-4879 when you arrive in the parking lot so we can facilitate direction. Please be ready to provide our reception staff with as much information as possible so they know how to help you best.
  
• ALL PETS MUST BE ON A PROPER LEASH OR IN A CARRIER.
  
  
• Payment is still expected at the time of service; payment via debit/credit card over the phone as your appointment finishes is ideal.
  
  
• We will utilize telemedicine as much as possible to prescribe medications and/or alter dosages of current medications if your pet has a known or new condition that has gotten worse. Please be aware that there is still a telemedicine exam and consultation fee as these services utilize clinic staff, facilities, and our doctors’ education, experience, and expertise.
  
  
• Please call ahead for medication refills and prescription food purchases. Payment will be taken over the phone when you call for refills. When you come to pick up the medications, please call the clinic once you arrive and one of our staff members will bring what you need to your vehicle. Alternatively, our online pharmacy is available for medication refills, prescription foods, and heartworm/flea and tick preventatives.
  
  
• Additionally, we are asking that anyone who is “at risk for illness” tell us in advance. Although you will not be allowed in the clinic, we still need to know this information while handling your dog or cat.
• An “at risk person” fits the following criteria:
  • Someone who is feeling ill (even if you think it’s just a cold or allergies)
  • Someone who has had contact with a person who has been sick in the past two weeks.
  • Someone who has had any contact in the past two weeks with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Someone who has travelled within the past two weeks.
• If you meet any of these criteria, this does NOT mean we will not see your pet. However, we need to know so we can proceed as safely as possible. If our staff becomes ill, our ability to provide healthcare for our patients will be severely limited. Note, our staff has been advised to stay home if they are feeling ill.
• Please call us if you have any questions or concerns regarding this new protocol.
  

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Dear Clients and Family of the Tomah Veterinary Clinic:

We don’t have to tell you that this past year and a half has been unprecedented and unpredictable as the world learned to navigate through a global pandemic. While each of our situations was unique, we all struggled in both our personal and professional lives.

What you may not know is that a serious problem has developed within the veterinary community. During the pandemic, more people became first-time pet owners and families added new four-legged family members to their households more than ever before. As of 2021, there are now 183,000,000 pets (dogs and cats) owned in the US. In 2018 there were 135,000,000. Our country added FORTY-EIGHT MILLION patients to our profession in 3 years. In 2018 there were 113,394 veterinarians. In 2021 there are 118,624 veterinarians plus our dedicated technicians
and assistants. Our profession has added 5,320 doctors since 2018. That is ONE doctor for every 1000 animals.

The veterinary industry was dramatically turned upside down, with the demand for our care increasing two to three times our normal rate, seemingly overnight. At the same time, it has been extremely difficult to hire veterinary technicians, assistants, and receptionists (much like other professions). The veterinary industry is no stranger to long hours, crippling education debt, low pay, compassion fatigue, and burnout, but the challenges
of the past year added to the stress of our already-struggling profession.

We are asking for your help in working with us as we adjust to this “new normal”.

You may notice...

Extended wait times on the phone and during appointments:
We are doing the best we can with the resources available. We know your time is valuable and we don’t like to be late to appointments either. Please understand that when appointments are running behind, it typically means we had a very sick patient that required extra medical attention, or we are spending extra time counseling a pet parent who is saying good-bye to their furry family member. Please be thankful that you and your pet did not require that extra time today and understand that we would do the same for you in that situation.

Difficulty getting same day appointments:
We are doing our best to accommodate all our clients, but there are only so many pets we can physically see in a day before patient care will suffer. If we refer you and your pet to the emergency clinic, it is because we do not have enough team members available to handle your pet’s care immediately, and we feel it is in your pet’s best interests to be seen more urgently.

Extended wait times for prescription refills:
We urge you to plan ahead. In-house prescription refills are taking, on average, 24-36 hours to fill. Outside pharmacy requests may take up to 48 hours for approval. Also, many medications and special diets are currently unavailable due to ingredient shortages brought on by the pandemic. If your pet only has 1-2 weeks left of medication or special food, call for a refill immediately! It may take time for our veterinarians to find a suitable
replacement for your pet’s medical needs.

Extended wait times for return calls:
If you’ve called to speak with a team member regarding a medical question or test result, rest assured we have received your message. Our doctors and team members are working through their lunch breaks, staying after hours, and coming in on their day off to address every question in a timely manner.

Please be patient.
Please be kind.

We, at Tomah Veterinary Clinic, have a commitment to protect the well-being of our team and have therefore implemented a Zero Tolerance Policy for disrespectful customers. All our team members deserve to be treated with respect. Customers who treat our team poorly will be directed to find another veterinary care provider.

We would like to acknowledge our wonderful customers who remained patient with our team members despite the frustrations brought on by this “new normal”, and those who offered a heart-felt thank you to their veterinarian over the phone, sent handwritten notes of encouragement and gratitude, or delivered cookies, donuts, candy, and pizza to our door. You will never know how much a simple act of kindness can turn
someone’s day, week, month, or even year around! With your help and understanding, we can continue to provide the best veterinary care possible to our patients.

Sincerely,

Tomah Veterinary Clinic Staff