COVID 19 and Your Pets
COVID 19 and Your Pets
We have been fielding lots of questions from concerned Pet Owners about the effect of the COVID-19 Coronavirus on their pets.
From the World Health Organisation Website
“Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?
While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.
WHO continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID-19 topics and will update as new findings are available.”
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
This dog was owned by a person that was tested positive for COVID-19, and while the dog had the COVID-19 virus isolated from it’s body – it is likely that the dog was exposed to the virus in it’s home from it’s owner.
There has been no evidence that pets can spread the COVID-19 Virus to humans.
Can dogs and cats get Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, and lots of animals have their own specific version of Coronavirus, that does not infect other animal species.
The Canine Coronavirus is an Enteric virus – this means it causes diarrhoea and vomiting – completely different to the human COVID-19 Coronavirus. There is an outbreak of Canine Coronavirus currently in Greyhounds in the Geelong area. We have currently not seen outbreak of this disease in the Mount Waverley or surrounding areas.
The Feline Coronavirus is also an enteric virus, that usually causes mild diarrhoea, but in some cats can cause a more severe form of inflammation around the body called Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
Neither the Canine or Feline Coronavirus is the same virus that is causing the current COVID-19 human pandemic.
If I have COVID-19, can I infect my Pets?
Apart from the one dog case in Hong Kong that has been reported, there has currently been no other reported cases of infection of pets with COVID-19 virus.
If you have COVID-19, it is recommended that you take normal hygiene precautions around you pets.
If you have any other questions, please contact the clinic on (03) 98079222
