Michigan restricts veterinary procedures to save medical supplies

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has issued a pair of executive orders restricting nonessential veterinary services in order to preserve state supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The first order, signed Monday, restricts veterinarians from performing services that are not necessary for treating severe pain, saving an animal’s life or euthanizing an animal for humane reasons. The order applies only to nonagricultural animals.

A second order clarified that the ban on nonessential veterinary procedures begins Thursday, and further directs veterinary clinics to develop plans to conduct all essential services remotely as much as possible, according to NBC affiliate WILX.

“While there is no evidence that pets can transmit COVID-19, we must take additional steps to promote social distancing,” Whitmer, who is under consideration by former Vice President Joe Biden to be his running mate, said in a statement announcing the first order.

“We are working every day to make sure our health care workers have the supplies they need to fight COVID-19,” she added Thursday, according to WILX. “We must all continue to work together to secure more personal protective equipment so we can slow the spread of the virus.”

The governor’s move comes as hospitals across the country have reported shortages and difficulties acquiring masks, gloves, gowns and other PPE amid the coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 1,700 in the state and 217,000 nationally.