When the temperatures drop, veterinary practices often face unique challenges.
From managing an influx of weather-related emergencies to ensuring the safety of our patients, winter preparedness can sometimes mean the difference between a quick recovery and a fatality.
A well-prepared practice reinforces trust and confidence among our clients and our staff.
Here are a few key considerations and actionable tips to help you thrive during the colder months.
1. Weatherproofing Your Facility for Patients and Staff
A warm and safe hospital environment is necessary for providing top-notch care during winter.
It’s easy to get caught up in the needs of our patients and forget (or put off) some essential maintenance that could help make all the difference. Things like:
Heating and Ventilation: When was the last time you had your HVAC system checked? Schedule regular maintenance to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
Slip-Proof Surfaces: Ice and snow can create slip hazards around your practice. Use pet-safe de-icers on walkways and provide mats or rugs inside entryways to absorb melting snow from the outdoors.
Backup Power: Winter storms can lead to power outages. If you haven’t already, consider investing in a generator to maintain critical systems such as lighting, heating, and medical equipment during an outage.
2. Adapting Your Products and Services to the Season
Winter can evoke certain health concerns for pets, so it may be advantageous to consider tailoring your services and product offerings. Here are a few examples:
Seasonal Wellness Exams: Promote winter wellness checkups to address age-related vulnerabilities (like arthritis in senior pets) and provide guidance on cold weather care.
Joint Health Support: Cold weather can exacerbate aches, pains, and mobility issues. Consider offering services like laser therapy, physical rehabilitation, or joint supplements to support senior pets.
Vaccination Updates: Encourage clients to ensure their pets are up to date on vaccines, particularly for diseases that thrive in colder months, such as canine influenza.
Winter Wellness Packages: Bundle services like exams, joint supplements, and grooming to address seasonal needs.
Holiday-Themed Promotions: Offer discounts on seasonal products, such as paw protection balms, sweaters, or enrichment toys.
Additionally, this is a prime time of year to step up customer service.
Encourage pet parents who are elderly - or may just need an extra helping hand - to call when they arrive for their appointment so staff can help them inside.
Toward the end of their appointment, you might ask if the client has a remote start and welcome them to warm their vehicle while they prepare to check out.
Encourage your staff to be prepared to help clients and their pets back to their car when they’re ready to depart.
3. Proactive Communication with Clients
Keep your clients up-to-date on changes to hours of operation, delays, shortages, etc. Here’s a few other examples of proactively engaging your clients and community:
Seasonal Newsletters: Send emails with tips on keeping pets safe, such as recognizing the signs of hypothermia or avoiding antifreeze exposure.
Social Media Content: Share engaging posts about winter pet safety, such as paw care, dressing pets for the cold, or managing indoor enrichment.
4. Preparing for Seasonal Emergencies
We know winter often increases our emergency cases, from frostbite to toxic exposures. Being well prepared is a simple way to not only offer the best care, but decrease staff stress and frustration when met with high pressure cases.
Team Training: consider refresher training on treating cold-related emergencies such as hypothermia, frostbite, and toxin ingestion.
Emergency Protocols: review and update emergency response plans for triaging and treating critical cases.
Supplies Check: stock up on essential items like warming equipment, IV fluids, and paw balms. Regularly inspect expiration dates on critical supplies.
5. Supporting Your Veterinary Team
It’s easy to forget that cold weather can take a toll on your staff, too. Keep your team motivated and comfortable with these simple ideas:
Comfortable Work Environment: provide a warm break area with hot beverages help staff recharge during long shifts. Other pleasantries like space heaters, hand warmers, and blankets are usually much appreciated, too!
Flexible Scheduling: account for weather-related delays and personal emergencies by building flexibility into staff schedules where you can.
Winter Gear: equip your team with appropriate gear if working outside with large animals or handling emergencies in severe weather.
Turn Winter Challenges into Opportunities
Cold weather may present challenges, but it also offers opportunities for veterinary practices to demonstrate their customer care, compassion, and expertise.
Remember, clients can see your readiness as your commitment to patient health and client trust—qualities that will leave a lasting impression.
