Can Your Dog or Cat Get Infected With COVID-19?(coronavirus)
Dogs and Cats Can Get Coronaviruses (But Don’t Freak Out)
Coronaviruses affect many species including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. In some species, these symptoms present as respiratory illness, and in others, diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. These known viruses come from an outsized family of viruses (coronaviruses) that cause symptoms very similar to the cold and SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Occasionally, these viruses can spread across species via zoonosis (zoonotic transmission means transmission from animals to people), which explains the event of MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
MERS-CoV, which first appeared within the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, causes respiratory disease and is characterized by fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. it's thought to possess first developed in bats and later transferred camels. SARS-CoV, another coronavirus, was first reported in 2003. Its origin is additionally thought to be from an animal reservoir—likely a bat—which later spread to animals (civet cats) and first appeared in Guangdong in China.
Can My Dog or Cat Get COVID-19?
While fear is at an all-time high, many pet owners are left wondering—can COVID-19 affect my dog or cat? The short answer is not any, as cats and dogs are suffering from species-specific coronaviruses which are documented for years. But you'll still want to practice precautions that fall in-line with social isolation. We'll discuss this further below.
Is My Dog Safe From COVID-19?
Although 3 dogs have been known to test positive in China for Coronavirus or COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Centre of Disease Control (CDC) state it is very unlikely that you and your dog would cross-contaminate each other with COVID-19. The dogs that tested positive in China were thought to have been exposed to very high concentrations of viral contaminants to have the detectable level that they did.
You may have noticed on your dog's vaccine checklist there is a "coronavirus" strain listed. Fortunately, this is specifically a canine type of coronavirus only. Unfortunately, that strain is not the same as COVID-19. COVID-19 has the possibility of other types of animal-human transmission.
Can My Dog Pass COVID-19 on to Me?
There was a report of a “weakly positive” for a dog that had apparently lived with a lady who tested positive for COVID-19. it's possible, however, that this weak positive resulted from the animal learning the virus from the environment it lived in via a contaminated surface or airborne exposure. Although experts at the University of Hong Kong, university and therefore the world organization for Animal Health agreed to quarantine and inspect the dog as a precaution . . . the probabilities of this sort of transmission via contact are rare or nonexistent (note: current reports reflect this). consistent with the AVMA:
"On Thursday, February 27, Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported that samples obtained on February 26 from the nasal and oral cavities of a pet dog (a 17-year-old Pomeranian whose owner had been diagnosed with COVID-19) had tested “weakly positive” for SARS-CoV-2, using a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) test. A fecal sample was negative."
Note: I am not an epidemiologist. Please read the COVID-19
AVMA announcement from March 15, 2020.
Coronavirus Infections in Cats
Feline coronavirus (FCoV) may be a common virus infection that affects domestic cats and doesn't affect humans. In most of the affected, it presents as mild diarrhea, however, sometimes the virus can mutate and become FIP or feline infectious peritonitis. The virus sheds within a couple of days of infection and antibodies develop within 7 to 14 days.
It is often difficult to differentiate this disease from others that affect cats. Many cats can pass this virus on their own (not FIP), but some don't. Even cats that don't show symptoms and are asymptomatic can shed the virus in their feces. Coronavirus is usually most problematic in feral populations and animal shelters where cats exist in crowded spaces thanks to viral shedding.
Symptoms of Coronavirus in Cats
FIP is usually diagnosed by confirming the presence of clear to yellow exudate within the abdomen. Because this exudate features a high protein content, it’s usually an equivalent consistency as egg whites. the gathering is usually done by tapping the abdomen for a fluid sample.
The good news is that with recent developments, this once fatal virus is showing a turnaround with clinical trials of anti-viral medications (although such anti-virals aren't yet approved by the FDA— making it difficult for veterinarians wishing to pursue this sort of treatment). For now, the disease remains largely considered untreatable. FIP cats are generally supported medically and sometimes given the gift of humane euthanasia.
Coronavirus Infections in Dogs
Similar to the feline coronavirus, CCoV type I and sort II are highly infectious in dogs, although they are doing not affect humans. Symptoms of CCoV are often mild and self-limiting, leading to lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea and last 1 to 2 weeks (however, highly pathogenic variants are observed). In severe cases, hemorrhagic enteritis (intestinal bleeding), damage to the lungs, and an enlarged spleen were observed.
Symptoms of Coronavirus in Dogs
Another variant of coronavirus called CRCoV (canine respiratory coronavirus) causes respiratory disease in dogs. it's almost like the bovine coronavirus (causing infections in cattle) and therefore the virus that's liable for causing the cold in humans. it's dissimilar to CCoV type I and II (mentioned above) which end in gastrointestinal issues. CRCoV causes respiratory infections and is grouped with viruses and bacteria that cause kennel cough in dogs or canine infectious respiratory illness (CIRD).
This disease often presents in shelters and areas of high density like boarding facilities. it's transmitted via respiratory secretions (coughing and sneezing) and may survive surfaces and be transferred via hands and clothing from human contact. Supportive therapy is usually used as are antibiotics and quarantining. No vaccine exists for CRCoV but those that have recovered are at reduced risk for reinfection. In most cases, rigid quarantine protocols (isolation) and sanitation are wont to prevent viral spread.
Should My Dog Wear A Mask?
No. Applying a mask to your dog may interfere with your dog's breathing and cause more harm than good.
A dog is highly likely to not be comfortable in the mask and keep trying to pull it off.
And finally, masks are designed for human faces, human nose, and mouth measurements. If you ever examined your dog's mouth line, you see it cuts deep along his or her cheeks. No human mask would be able to cover that effectively.
There are medical masks made for dogs that wrap around their snout. However, it is not recommended for the same reasons. Not comfortable, can interfere with breathing and the dog will keep trying to remove it. Most importantly, your dog is not likely to get our COVID-19 strain.
How To Protect Yourself and Your Pets?
I'm sure many of you are doing a great job at these protective practices. They are the same as you have been hearing all over?
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds
- Frequently clean high-traffic, high-touch surfaces
- Self-isolate, it is okay to be around your dog
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth before washing your hands, these are the easiest areas for germs to get into you and make you sick!
COVID-19 generally has an incubation period of anywhere from 2 days, which is rare, to 5-14 days which is more average, this is time you are sick before you start to have symptoms.
"I am not an epidemiologist. Research is rapidly changing surrounding COVID-19.
Always abide by recommended precautions. As always, consider others
and act pityingly and kindness during one of the most important
pandemics in world history."
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