The COVID-19 pandemic altered health care practices not just for humans but for their animals as well.

At Butler Veterinary Associates, 1761 N. Main St. Ext., the practice stayed open, although pet owners were barred from the practice.

“We never closed, although at first we didn't do anything but see emergency cases and sick animals,” said Kris Taggart, hospital manager for the practice that employs 50 people and is open 8 a.m. to midnight every day of the week.

“We weren't doing any spaying or neutering or toenail trims,” she said.

At first, Taggart said, animals were taken from the owners' vehicles in the parking lot, treated and returned

Butler Veterinary Associates, earlier this month began allowing owners inside to be with their pets for appointments, even though the lobby remains closed.

Owners still need to call the practice when they arrive and let the staff know what parking spot they are in.

When a room becomes available, a technician will come and guide up to two people and their pet into a room.

Taggart said the practice requires anyone coming into the building to wear a mask.

Patients a plenty

Since the beginning of the month and the beginning of Butler County moving to the green status, Taggart said the practice has been busier than ever which she attributed to a pent-up demand for vaccinations and spay and neutering services.

“There was certainly a backlog of spays and neuters and routine vaccines to catch up on, but we are back to offering all services,” said veterinarian Ann Cirillo and her husband, John Cirillo, who own three veterinary hospitals — Seven Fields, Avalon and Big Rock.

Katie Johnson, the practice manager for Deer Creek Animal Clinic, 388 Saxonburg Road, also noted an increase in four-footed patients.

“We are backed up with surgeries,” Johnson said. “We have a waiting list. We never had a waiting list. There's literally nothing else to do.”

Johnson attributes the backlog to two factors: It takes longer to see pets through the curbside method of dropping an animal off, waiting in the parking lot, having the animal brought back to your vehicle and conferring with the veterinarian either by phone or in the parking lot.

The other reason?

“Everyone is home staring at their pet. Before when they would just bring them in for their annual vaccines, now they are starting to notice things,” Johnson said.

Pet anxiety

With the county going to a green phase, some pet owners are returning to work which might be confusing to their animal companions who had grown used to having them around all day.

Cirillo said pet owners need to consider their dogs might be getting anxious now that their owners are returning to work.

“Dogs are much more likely to get anxiety as their human companions return to work,” Cirillo said. “The cats are actually relieved to have us gone.”

Adding to the workload, Johnson said there has been an influx of puppies and kittens. “We don't know where they are coming from. We are calling them COVID puppies,” she said.

All the factors make for a long day. Deer Creek Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The clinic tries to send some of its patients to other veterinary practices.

Staffing issues

It doesn't help that the clinic is short-staffed because some employees either have a health condition or live with someone that could be affected by the coronavirus.

Also short-staffed is Mary Ann Brookes, the owner of Duffy Pet Care, 8 Meadow Ave., Lyndora.

She said she's the sole dog groomer, and she is hard pressed to keep up with her clients.

“The grooming is pretty busy. It will be August before we are ready to book new clients,” Brookes said. “We are trying to take care of our old clients.”

In contrast, the boarding side of her business only has one or two animals.

“People are staying home. But it should pick up soon,” she said.