The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of strain on a lot of people, and those in the veterinary profession are no exception. Thank you, Captain Obvious. Self-care and mental health support at times like these are critical, but can be hard to come by for many still working on the front lines in clinics,
“Urgent” veterinary care, Ontario: Slightly revised guidance document
In Ontario, veterinary medicine is considered essential, but is currently restricted to “urgent” care only. What constitutes “urgent” is a grey zone. We’ve avoided trying to create a comprehensive list of “what veterinarians should and shouldn’t do” because there are so many factors and nuances to consider in every individual case. Instead, we’ve focused
New COVID-19 research updates
Let’s just call this an “odds and ends” post. I’ll outline some interesting highlights from some recent papers, including a couple just posted overnight.
More on predicted susceptible hosts (pre-print (i.e. not peer reviewed) on BioRxiv)
This study looked at genomic data from 410 vertebrates, including 252 mammals, and the researchers ranked the different animal
Examination glove re-use: A quasi-scientific evaluation
Shortages of personal protective equipment are a serious problem. Re-use and extended use can be considered for certain items under some circumstances, as we’ve discussed previously. Questions about how to safely reuse or extend the use of disposable items we’ve taken for granted as being endlessly available weren’t a high priority before the COVID-19
Routine mask use in vet clinics?
Questions about mask use keep filling my inbox. I’ve written before about when mask are most useful, and my general advice hasn’t changed much. However, some recent developments have make me think more about when and where more routine mask use might be of benefit.
Why are we re-thinking when to use masks? What’s
Another hand sanitizer plea: Glycerol
Hopefully this is the last time I’ll take up a blog post to send out a request, but as I’ve mentioned before, I’m helping Dixon’s Distilled Spirits repurpose their alcohol to make hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve donated a few thousand litres of hand sanitizer to healthcare providers and first responders over
Personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages in veterinary medicine
Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) are a problem in many places right now because of massive demand (as well as hoarding and black market diversion) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterinary clinics facing shortages need to think about ways to extend the life of existing supplies, including conservation, extended use or reuse of items when
Mask use in the community: When / why / how?
During my (limited) ventures outside of home or the College, it’s getting more common to see people walking around wearing nose-and-mouth masks.
My first thought is “Where are you getting those? They’re short in supply.”
My next thought is “Stop wasting masks! You don’t need them.”
My last one is “
Veterinary medicine, essential services and social distancing
Updated April 6: Revised guidance document
Ontario announced a shutdown of non-essential services yesterday. Wisely, veterinary medicine was classified as essential. However, it’s not business as usual. Rather, it’s “best as we can” given other restrictions and social distancing that are absolutely necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19. There’s no clear way to
Wanted: Hydrogen peroxide and glycerol
As I mentioned recently, a local distillery here in Guelph, Dixon’s Distilled Spirits, has started producing hand sanitizer for healthcare facilities and essential services to help with the supply shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m helping them manufacture it according to World Health Organization guidelines, mainly by helping to scavenge the two non-alcohol