COVID-19 RESOURCES

TVMA is monitoring information from local, state and national authorities regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus).  The information contained on this page is intended to assist members of the veterinary profession in responding to COVID-19.


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COVID-19 Resources


AVMA

Health officials across the U.S. and all over the world are on high alert due to COVID-19, a disease that causes flu-like symptoms in people, including mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Veterinary professionals are receiving questions from their clients and their teams, and TVMA is pleased to be able to provide credible information and resources to assist with responses.

To ensure the resources we provide you are as accurate and up-to-date as possible in this continuously evolving environment, the AVMA is in regular contact with CDC, FDA, and USDA; other state, national, and international veterinary and public health expert groups; and intergovernmental organizations (such as the WHO and OIE) to learn the latest developments and their potential impacts on veterinarians, patients, and clients.

For continuous up to date key information about COVID-19, visit AVMA’s fact page here: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19.

 

Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME)

Statement from TBVME Regarding Continuing Education Requirements During This Emergency:

In the wake of the Governor’s Emergency Declaration, TBVME will be waiving some continuing education requirements during the emergency and staff has moved to working remotely.

For any license renewals occurring during the emergency declaration period, continuing education requirements will be waived. We understand that due to the cancellation of conferences and meetings, the requisite number of hours may be difficult to obtain and thus waiving the continuing education requirement for all license renewals for as long as the emergency declaration continues.

Statement from TBVME regarding the Use of Telemedicine During This Emergency:

The statute and rule on telemedicine allow for veterinarians to provide care via telemedicine to existing patients. However, a veterinarian client patient relationship may not be established solely through telemedicine. There is no written guidance on how often a veterinarian must see an animal to maintain the valid client-patient relationship. During these times, we encourage our licensees to use their best judgment and use telemedicine where they can to meet the needs of their clients and patients.

 

Texas Department of State Health Services

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in monitoring the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) that is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and information DSHS is updating as it becomes available. Check the DSHS website here (https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/) for the latest details and what Texans need to know about COVID‑19.

 

Small Business Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has designated COVID-19 as a qualifying event for the provision of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses and private non-profits in affected communities. The Office of the Governor is currently working with Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the SBA to qualify Texas for this declaration.

Small businesses and some private non-profit organizations that have suffered substantial economic injury due to COVID-19 may be eligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of up to $2 million to provide necessary working capital to help businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster. EIDL assistance will only be available to small businesses when the SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

For more information on SBA Economic Injury Disaster Declaration click here (https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/coronavirus)

 

Unemployment Benefits and Job Resources

If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) encourages you to apply for benefits by utilizing the online claim portal, or by calling the Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

For the TWC website click here (https://twc.texas.gov).

Waivers Issued by the Governor

 

Other Resources

  • Call 2-1-1 for Health, food, housing, and other assistance
  • Call 7-1-1 for Relay Service
  • To report price gouging, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General: 1-800-621-0508

 

Additional Resources for the most up to date information:

 

REQUIRED USE OF
FACE MASKS

City and County Orders Relating to the Required Use of Face Masks.

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION LETTER

Essential Employee Authorization Letter for veterinary employees in Shelter at Home jurisdictions.

TVMA COVID-19 EBLASTS

Click the image above to see the latest TVMA eblasts.

COVID-19 CLIENT FACT SHEET

A one-page flyer for pet owners with factual information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 that can be printed or shared electronically (social media, website, etc.)

A MESSAGE FROM DR. JOHN BRUKER, 2020 TVMA PRESIDENT

A Message From Your TVMA President

RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COVID-19

In an effort to help our members answer these difficult questions, TVMA has developed some recommendations regarding COVID-19 and the practice of veterinary medicine.