COVID-19 resources for veterinarians

Last updated: 23 June 2020

New Zealand is at Alert Level 1 . This means that workplaces are open and personal movement is not restricted. We will keep this page online as a reference but much of the content does not apply at Level 1.

This page collates advice and resources to help veterinarians plan for, prevent and minimise the spread of COVID-19 in New Zealand. It will be updated as the situation progresses, so check back regularly. Also see NZVA's COVID-19 page which has a lot of useful information and guidance.

Look after yourself and your colleagues

The spread of COVID-19 and the publicity around it may be a cause of serious concern for some. If you would like professional support with this (or any other issue), free and confidential counselling is available to all veterinarians through Vitae.

Visit our Wellbeing and COVID-19 page to read more about looking after your mental health during the pandemic.

Wellbeing & COVID-19

COVID-19 specific standards and guidance

We are currently at Alert Level 1 and the standards and guidance below do not apply. Instead, you should refer to the Code  and the material on our Guidelines and Standards page. The. material below will be relevant if the Alert Level rises. If you have any questions please contact us.

• Statement on principles for operating at Alert Level 2
• Statement on Veterinary Medicines & authorising at Alert Level 2
• Statement on principles for operating at Alert Level 3
• Joint Statement on operating veterinary services at COVID-19 alert levels 3 and 4
• Guidance on assessing emergency and urgent care during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Statement on Veterinary Medicines and Authorising at COVID-19 alert levels 3 and 4 (including the use of veterinary telemedicine to authorise medicines)
• Guidance for veterinarians on referral, supersession and second opinions during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Guidance on authorising dry cow antibiotic therapy and internal teat sealant during COVID-19

FAQs

We've put together answers to many of the questions we've been receiving from veterinarians. If you have questions about practising and COVID-19, check them out because we may well have an answer for you. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, you can always contact us.

• General and practice management FAQs
• Companion animal and equine FAQs
• Production animal FAQs

Other resources:

General

• The Government COVID-19 response website is the central source for official information about the disease in New Zealand
• International information can be found from the World Health Organisation

Veterinary & primary sector

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) website has information on COVID-19 and its potential impacts on animal health
• The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has issued advice on COVID-19, managing the risk in a clinical setting and the potential impact on companion animals
• The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has issued advice on COVID-19, managing the risk in a clinical setting and the potential impact on companion animals
• The US CDC has provided useful FAQ guidance regarding contact with pets and other animals
• Dr Scott Weese's Worms and Germs Blog has some helpful COVID-19 articles for veterinarians
• MPI Generic Guidance on COVID-19 Safety Requirements for primary industry businesses at Levels 3 & 4

Resources from NZ practices

• XL Vets level 4 guidance on essential and non essential services for dairy and red meat work
• XL Vets level 3 guidance
• NVC level 3 clinic operations document
• Massey Vets Equine Clinic contact tracing level 3 SOP.
• Massey Vets Farm protocols at level 3.

Other articles and news

These are other articles and news items that we've put together that may be of help to veterinarians. They are either prepared specifically in light of COVID-19 or are relevant in the current situation.