Two cats and a dog in the US have tested positive for COVID 19- what does this mean??

Two cats and a dog in the US have tested positive for COVID 19-

what does this mean??

Last week, we learned that two cats in different areas of New York tested positive for COVID 19 - then this week we learned that a pug in North Carolina tested positive as well. Many people are understandably wondering what this means for them and their pets. We’re here to help break down what we know so far and help guide you through this.

•       How many pets have been affected by COVID 19 so far?

◦       While the news seems to be mentioning new cases all the time, to date (as of 4-29-20) we have SIX total confirmed pets in the world with COVID 19! Compared to the millions of human cases, this is a very small number. The six include: 2 dogs and a cat in Hong Kong, and now 2 cats and a dog in the US. There was also a cat in Belgium, but there are questions regarding the testing methods and its possible the cat may have been suffering from another illness.  

•       What happened to those COVID 19 positive pets?

◦       Of the Hong Kong animals, all three of them never showed signs of respiratory disease; they were only tested because their owners were positive. One of the Hong Kong dogs did pass away after being released from quarantine, but the dog was 17 and had ongoing health issues prior to testing positive. The cat in Belgium made a full recovery from possible COVID 19. The dog in North Carolina showed only mild signs for a few days and is now recovered. The New York cats are also expected to make a full recovery.

•       What might COVID 19 look like in a house cat?

◦       In the case of the 2 New York cats, they had mild respiratory signs. While not explicitly stated, this might look like coughing, nasal discharge, or increased respiratory effort. Remember that any noticeable respiratory changes are cause for seeking vet attention ASAP. There are many other causes of respiratory disease and your vet will help you decide next steps for your pet.

•       What signs did the owners notice in the North Carolina dog that tested positive?

◦       It is important to note that this dog was tested as part of a study out of Duke University, not because he was showing clinical signs. As part of the study, they tested all members of the household (the mom was a doctor, the dad worked in an ER, and they had 2 children), as well as their 4 pets (2 dogs, a cat and a lizard). Three of the humans tested positive (mom, dad, and one child), but only one animal tested positive (their pug, Winston). The family noted he did seem to be “gagging” for a couple of days and his appetite was down, but he has since recovered.

•       Do we need to get our pets tested for COVID?

◦       Routine testing for COVID 19 in pets is not available or recommended at this time. If you believe your pet is suffering from COVID 19, you should seek vet attention and they can contact authorities to authorize testing once more common issues have been ruled out.

•       Where did these pets get COVID 19 from?

◦       In the case of the Hong Kong pets, they were all in the care of someone with confirmed COVID 19. It was recommended that the pets be put into quarantine when the owners tested positive, and that was where the testing was done.  One US cat was in the care of a COVID 19 infected person, but the other had no known contact with anyone symptomatic for COVID 19. This means that it was likely passed to the cat by an asymptomatic carrier.

•       Do I have to worry about getting COVID 19 from my cat or dog?

◦       The answer is very likely no! There is no proof that pets are spreading COVID 19 to humans; more likely, humans are spreading it to pets. Some important things to consider:

▪       Keep your cat inside to prevent them from interacting with people and animals outside the home

▪       Keep your dog on a leash when walking and maintain 6 feet distance from other people and animals

▪       Avoid public places like dog parks

•       Do I need to worry about giving my pet COVID 19?

◦       The short answer is possibly, however before you panic, remember that good hygiene practices will make this extremely unlikely. There is no evidence that an animal should be removed from the home of a person infected with COVID 19 unless it poses a risk to the pet (i.e. you are too sick to care for your pet).  Try to have someone else care for your pet if you become infected. If that is not possible, then wear a face mask when interacting with your pet, wash your hands before and after, and avoid close contact (no hugs, snuggles, etc).

Written By: Dr. Erin Walsh, Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Sources:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19/sars-cov-2-animals-including-pets

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0422-covid-19-cats-NYC.html

https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/pug-with-coronavirus-first-dog/19074499/

FAQs About Pets and COVID-19

With new information still continuously coming out, our team of highly educated & trained veterinarians are here to keep you informed and help answer your questions regarding your furry companions and COVID-19. 

Can my cat or dog infect me with COVID-19?

o      As of now, there is no proof that pets (including cats and dogs) are capable of infecting humans with COVID-19. A large commercial lab (Idexx) tested thousands of animal samples from the US, South Korea, Canada, as well as some European countries and found no positives. This testing involved over 5,000 samples from 17 countries.

Can I get my pet tested for COVID-19?

o   At this time, the USDA and CDC do not recommend testing pets. Additionally, the Idexx PCR test used to test thousands of samples is not available for the public, but Idexx will make it commercially available if leading medical authorities find it clinically relevant to start testing pets.

o   If your pet is showing signs of respiratory disease, contact a veterinarian immediately. It is important to remember that there are many, many causes of respiratory disease in cats and dogs, but thus far COVID-19 does not appear to be one of them. However, be sure to let the vet staff know if your pet was exposed to a person with COVID-19. 

What does it mean that a tiger at the Bronx zoo tested positive? What about the cat in Belgium or the dogs and cat in Hong Kong??

o   There is ever changing info on COVID-19, so we will continue to update as more info is available. At this time, these isolated cases are not a cause to panic or rehome your animals. While there is some evidence that cats and ferrets may have a low susceptibility to the virus, there is no evidence it can be transmitted to a human from these animals. More likely, the humans handling these animals infected the animal. There is no evidence it can be passed back to a human.

o   Specifically in the case of the Hong Kong dog, there is more to this story. There were two dogs living in the house. One dog consistently tested negative, while the other tested “weakly” positive. At no point did either dog show any signs of respiratory illness. While the weak positive dog passed away 3 days after being released from quarantine, this dog had ongoing health issues prior to COVID-19 test; these pre-existing issues likely lead to this geriatric dog’s death. (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19/sars-cov-2-animals-including-pets)

Do I need to do anything different with my pets if I am healthy?

o   The short answer is no. Continue to practice good hygiene (i.e. washing hands after interacting pets, their food, and their waste).   While it may be tempting, be cautious to not over indulge your pet while in quarantine with them. This means not feeding them too much food AND not suddenly increasing their exercise significantly. Try to avoid any abrupt changes in routine that may upset your pet or interfere with their health.

What do I do with my pets if I am diagnosed with COVID-19?

o   You should limit your interaction with pets if you are diagnosed with COVID-19. If possible, have someone else in the house care for the pets. If this is not possible, then wear a facemask while interacting with them and minimize any touching, meaning no snuggling or hugging. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after any handling of your pets.

o   It is a good idea to have a care plan in place for your pet should you need to be hospitalized. Consider making arrangements with another member of the household or arranging for the pet to be cared for at another home or boarding facility.  You should have at least 2 weeks worth of food and medications your pet may need during this time.

o   If your pet has an emergency and needs veterinary care while you are sick with the virus, have a healthy friend or family member transport your pet to the vet for emergency care. Any non-emergent vet visits need to be postponed until you are well to avoid exposing the essential personnel at your vet’s office.

Written By: Dr. Erin Walsh, Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Resources:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19/sars-cov-2-animals-including-pets

https://www.idexx.com/en/about-idexx/covid-19-resources/#faq

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/ny-zoo-covid-19

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html

New Carside/Curbside Veterinary Service

In Response to COVID-19: Companion Animal Hospitals offer new carside/curbside veterinary service

We know that pets need love and care no matter what is going on in the world - we also know that their human’s health plays a vital role in their overall well-being. In an effort to help keep our human clients healthy, we will be implementing a carside/curbside veterinary service to reduce the chances of spreading of COVID-19, while still being able to provide care for your furry companions during this stressful time. 

Upon arriving at our hospital, please call us from outside and we will provide you with further instructions. If you have an appointment we will come outside to you, bring your pet into the hospital, conduct the appointment, and then return them to you with a full report after the services are completed. We can collect carside/curbside payment at that time, or can process payment over the phone. All food and prescription refills will be brought directly out to you to limit the number of people entering the hospital. If you are feeling ill, please reschedule your appointment until symptoms have passed. 

These are uncertain times for all of us, and we please ask for your patience and understanding as new information is continuously reported and new protocols are established. 

As always, it is our priority to keep your pet happy and healthy – now, we want to make sure their humans stay the same.

If you have any questions, please give your Companion Animal Hospital a call and we are happy to help answer them and address any concerns you may have. 

Written By: Morgan Rhyner, Marketing Manager

Sources: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19?utm_source=email-mem&utm_medium=coronovirus200311&utm_campaign=coronovirus&utm_term=link&utm_content=covid-19-webpage

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

A message from Companion about COVID-19

At Companion Animal Hospital, the health and wellness of our clients and our team has always been our #1 priority. With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the rise, we will be taking additional steps to achieve our promise of providing a clean, safe, and welcoming environment, while helping prevent the spreading of this virus.

What We Do:

Our team members conduct regular and thorough cleaning of all equipment, surfaces, workstations, and areas of the hospital using disinfectant cleaning supplies and wipes. Our team members wash their hands after all interactions with clients and we have placed hand sanitizer in multiple locations for our team members to use frequently.

What You Can Do:

•          Wash your hands frequently and prior to coming to your appointment
•           Use the hand sanitizer stationed throughout the hospital
•           Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face
•           Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve/arm
•           For your well-being and the well-being of others, if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms, please re-schedule your appointment if it is a non-emergency

If you have been exposed to, or have COVID-19 and your pet experiences an emergency, please contact us immediately to determine the best way to get care for your pet. You may need to have a family member or friend on call to help get your pet to us.

It is important to note, at this point there is no evidence to indicate that pets can contract COVID-19. However, it is recommended that if you become ill with COVID-19, you limit contact with your pet until more information is known about the virus. Make sure to tell your physician and public health official that you have a pet in your home, and have another member of your household or a family member/friend take care of walking and playing with your pet. Do not share food, hug, or kiss them, and make sure to wash your hands before and after any contact with your pet.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will follow instructions and recommendations issued by the CDC and government agencies as needed. Thank you for your support and your help to ensure that Companion Animal Hospital remains clean and safe for both our furry clients and our human clients!

Sincerely, 

Your Team at Companion Animal Hospital

Written by: Morgan Rhyner, Marketing Manager

Sources: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19