You're not imagining it: it's getting hotter. Everywhere. Nearly every region of the country is experiencing a rise in average temperatures during the summer months, and experts predict this trend will continue to worsen in the coming years. Preparing your veterinary practice for excessive heat is essential to safeguarding your staff and patients.

Caring for Companion Animals during Extreme Heat

When the temperatures rise, it is important to remind ourselves – and our clients – of the dangers of hot weather and how it can affect our patients. Veterinarians have an important role to play in educating clients about heat exposure and what to do in the event of heatstroke when it comes to pets. They also need to consider the effects of extreme heat on practice procedures, including curbside care and boarding.

Protecting Employees & Volunteers

Treating animals of any size is strenuous work under the best conditions. Working long hours in hot weather without the proper precautions can easily lead to heat-induced illness. Proper preparation, communication, hydration, and attire can be the key to keeping your team safe. Protect your team.

Creating a Business Continuity Plan

Increasing temperatures, as well as more frequent bouts of extreme heat, can affect veterinary practices in many ways. In some cases, higher temperatures can affect a practice’s bottom line through increased energy costs and loss of employee productivity. In other more extreme cases, excessive heat can put team members’ and patients’ health at risk and even cause business interruption or loss of temperature-sensitive items. To prepare for any of these scenarios, it is essential to create a business continuity plan and provide appropriate employee training before the hottest days arrive.

Treating Large Animals during Periods of Excessive Heat

Humans and companion animals are not the only ones affected by excessive heat. The combined effects of high ambient air temperatures, relative humidity, and solar radiation also can have a profound effect on large animal patients. Continue reading for some actions to consider when boarding or treating large animal patients on site or in the field. Read more.

Protecting Your Bottom Line in a Blackout

One frustrating aspect of weather-related power disruptions is that you have no idea how long they will last. The power might be out for 20 minutes or 20 hours – or even longer. That’s why it’s important to answer some key questions about what to do in the event of an extended blackout before the hot weather arrives. It is also important to consider and plan for the financial disruption that can be caused by an extended blackout.

Protect What Matters Most

Make sure you have the right insurance coverages and a crisis response plan in place.

Address: PO Box 1629, Chicago, IL 60690-9850
Tel: 800-228-PLIT (7548)
Email: info@avmaplit.com

About Us | Privacy | California Privacy | Terms | How we get paid

HUB International Midwest Limited, HUB International Midwest Insurance Agency (CA), AVMA PLIT Broker and Consultant since 1962
© 2022 HUB International Limited. All rights reserved.