05/13/2020
Hello Chelsea Animal Hospital Family, we have an update on the current thoughts regarding COVID 19 and our pets from Idexx Labs. Be well!
CAN PETS CONTRACT COVID19?
There has been a lot of research done regarding how COVID can spread, and what mammals may pose a risk for catching or transmitting the virus. This is always a priority when determining how to best combat any pandemic.
The COVID virus binds a receptor in the body's cells to cause infection, and those receptors are different in different species.
This is why corona viruses must mutate to infect a different host and/or cause serious disease. In cats and ferrets, the receptors are not the same as in people but are relatively close, so if these animals are in direct contact with a sick person they could possibly catch COVID, but only in rare cases.
Scientists were able to infect cats and ferrets in the lab, with high viral exposures, and study their symptoms and ability to spread disease.
Dogs receptors are far less similar to humans, so while it is remotely possible they could become infected, it is even more rare than a cat contracting the disease.
To date our veterinary lab has tested over 5000 dogs, cats, horses etc worldwide that were ill with respiratory infections AND considered high risk due to contact with people with COVID, and none of these animals have had COVID - it is very, very rare. In Hong Kong, they tested mammal pets living in households with COVID cases and found no infections. With millions of infected people, we have had only a handful of infected cats to date.
WHAT DOES COVID ILLNESS LOOK LIKE IN A CAT?
COVID in cats is similar to what young healthy people experience.
In the rare event a cat was to contract COVID, they may have no symptoms or a 'cold' with sneeze, runny eyes, congested nose, and sometimes digestive signs such as diarrhea or vomiting.Unless the cat has some pre-existing health issue, it is unlikely they would become ill enough to need veterinary care.
CAN A SICK CAT GIVE COVID TO A PERSON OR OTHER ANIMAL?
Cats/ferrets can't give COVID to people, dogs or other animals, only to other cats or ferrets.
Infected cats can potentially spread COVID to other cats, even if they have no symptoms.
CAN I GET COVID BY PETTING A DOG OR CAT?
Fur and clothing are very poor transmitters of virus. Porous or textured materials tend to bind or hold onto virus compared to smooth shiny surfaces, so the chance of getting infected from touching a pet that an ill person has coughed on is very low.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE WITH MY OR OTHER PEOPLES ANIMALS?
To be on the safe side, avoid touching other peoples' pets or letting others handle your pets - social distance your pets just as you would people.
If someone is ill in your household, wash your hands after touching your pet or any other surface/item.
This is most important for people at high risk or with compromised immune systems.
You should quarantine yourself away from people as well as your pets if you have COVID, to avoid contaminating their fur with infectious virus and to reduce the unlikely chance of infecting your cat or far more unlikely, your dog
If you have a human COVID illness in your household, pets should be kept inside/quarantined for 2 weeks after anyone in a household is ill, mainly to avoid infecting other pets. For humans, the greatest risk is exposure to other infected people, especially before they become ill and realize they have the virus. Social distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands frequently is by far the best protection to keep everyone healthy.
