Thank you all for your help and understanding during these unprecedented times. Here is an update and a message from LEMC on the pandemic and our current policies.

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, Littleton Equine is committed to providing care for our clients and their horses during this anxious time.  Our first priority is to protect the safety and wellbeing of our clients, staff, and veterinarians. We have implemented some precautionary changes to mitigate the risk of exposure to the virus and will continue to modify and update policies as needed.

1. We have asked any staff and veterinarians experiencing illness/symptoms to stay home and seek medical care.
2. Equipment and areas are cleaned and disinfected and hands are washed between appointments.
3. If your horse is hospitalized, we are asking that you let our staff care for your horse WITHOUT VISITATION. Our staff will update you twice daily, including pictures and videos when possible.   
4. If you have an appointment at the clinic, when you arrive, please call our clinic number at 303-794-6359 to check in and remain with your horse, truck and trailer while waiting for your veterinarian. Our veterinarians are practicing a policy to minimize any personal contact.  Our staff will receive the patient at your trailer and ask you to remain by your vehicle during the evaluation.
5. If you have an appointment scheduled in the field, we will continue to take care of your horses, but will practice good safe physical distance and person to person contact.
6. Due to anticipated shortages in protective equipment, we will be unable to perform elective surgeries at this time. We are still able to perform all emergency surgeries and perform other diagnostics and procedures that do not require protective equipment. We need to preserve those supplies for emergency situations and to provide to our human colleagues if and when they are needed. Due to the need for sterile gloves, most intra-articular injections will need to be postponed. We have many tools to use to manage your horse without using joint injections until such time as PPE is not conserved.
7. If you would like to reschedule an appointment, we would be happy to accommodate those changes. 
8. If you have an appointment scheduled or have an emergency with your horse and you are exhibiting flu like symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19, or would prefer to not be present at our visit we ask that you alert our staff.  We will bring enough help to meet your horse’s needs while communicating with you electronically.
9. We are instituting a no-handshake policy at this time to help limit potential spread. And no hugs for now, even though we could all use some!
10. We will start bringing a technician along on most ER calls to ensure social distancing to protect all of us. 
11. Preventative Medicine, including vaccinations, de-worming and dentistry are as important as ever.  These are considered essential to keep our animals free from disease.