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The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has said it is vital for the profession to work together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is increasingly likely that over the coming weeks, due to self-isolation or social distancing measures, veterinary practices across the country will be stretched,” the VCI said.
“Some of us may fall ill, some may be called upon to care for others and it is vital that we all work together.”
In the EU, veterinary services are to be considered essential businesses.
The VCI advised that vets should carry out an individual risk assessment.
The advice echoes new work practices highlighted by Veterinary Ireland, which said practices had split into two or three core groups where possible.
Financial concern
The VCI also advised farmers to access advice from the Department of Business in the coming weeks, as it expects vets, along with other areas of the economy, to become financially stretched.
It said that this was going to be “a period of significant financial difficulty".
While there have not yet been any reports of animal medicine shortages, there have been reports of shortages for human health of certain medicines, including paracetamol.
Monitoring medicine shortages
The VCI said it had been assured that there was no cause for alarm, but encouraged vets and other prescribers and retailers to veterinary medicines to continue normal ordering patterns.
The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe stated on its website that there was currently no shortage of animal medicines.
“Luckily, so far, no veterinary medicine supply shortages have been reported, although problems with shortage in protective equipment is reported in most countries,” the federation said.
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