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

Dental Care: The Root of Your Pet's Health

Dental Care: The Root of Your Pet's Health

            Who doesn’t love getting kisses from their better half?  No I don’t mean your partner, your dog of course!  It is all fun games until your dog has a mouth that could clear out a room while you are watching the Packers-Bears game with friends.  But again, who wants Bear fans in their home?! (Yes I’m a Packer fan).

How Common is Dental Disease?

            According to the American Veterinary Dental College, periodontal disease is the MOST COMMON clinical condition occurring in adult dogs and cats, and worse yet it is ENTIRELY preventable.  How common you might wonder?  Several studies have shown that in dogs by age 2 or 3, about 85-90% of them have some form of periodontal disease.  This number mirrors what I see in my daily practice.  Other than bad breath, there are unfortunately very few signs of periodontal disease.  As a result, a dental treatment comes often too late for many of these patients and leads to many teeth needing to be removed.

What can you do to prevent dental disease in your pet?

            The good news though, is that a lot of the disease that I see can be prevented with at home care.  This includes brushing of the teeth, chewing on bones, dental prescription diets, and dental chew products.  Before choosing a dental product, talk to your veterinarian of where to find products that are scientifically proven to help reduce dental disease.  He or She will likely talk about the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC.org).  This council will validate manufacturer’s claims of decreasing dental disease.  You can go to this council’s website and look for products that you

can try.  My favorite products to use are “dental diets”.  I look at this as us brushing our teeth once or twice a day depending on how often you feed your dog.  It is easy and dogs love these products.

            

The goal of at home care is the same goal with your own dental health; a beautiful pain-free, functional mouth.  Dental cleanings will still be recommended by your veterinarian, just like we see our dentists regularly.  By doing more frequent cleaning treatments, anesthesia time will be less, there will be less teeth extracted over the course of the life of the dog, and there will be less risk of systemic disease as a result of chronic dental disease.

In closing, I want your dogs to be among your friends watching the game due to the fact that he/she has a healthy mouth.  The more Packers fans the better during a Packers-Bears game!  Please look at the following websites for more information and talk to your veterinarian as well regarding dental cleaning treatments.  

By: 

Nick Juleen, DVM
Companion Animal Hospital Kenosha

Websites:  The American Veterinary Dental College, www.avdc.org and The Veterinary Oral Health Council, www.vohc.org. 

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

               The excitement of bringing home a new puppy is unrivaled to most, but there can be a lot of uncertainty and questions for new pet parents or if it has been awhile since a new four legged fur baby has been in your home!

               Puppies and kittens make frequent veterinary trips in the first few months of their life to ensure lifelong health. Booster shots, food nutrition, learning about safety precautions and training are all things that new pet owners should understand, and talking to your veterinarian is the best place to start.

               It can be scary for your new fur baby their first few nights at home, and in order to make them feel safe it is important to give them their own space in a quiet, warm area to relax. It is also important to get them in for their first exam within the first week of adoption. We will break down the different core vaccines for both puppies and kittens as well as other simple treatments to guarantee pet health.

Puppies:

• Bordetella
•  Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial agent responsible for kennel cough in dogs.  This vaccine is required for boarding but is highly recommended for all dogs.  This vaccine is given one time after 8 weeks of age and some clinics will booster it 3 weeks later.
• Distemper (DHPP)
• This vaccine integrates multiple defenses against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Vaccine is a series of 3 boosters, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Leptospirosis
• Lepto is bacteria that is spread through stagnant water where small rodents, wildlife will live and urinate. This can be lethal to dogs and should be given especially when living in cities or by  forestry preserves. This vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Rabies
• This vaccine is mandated by law! This is a one-time vaccine that is given is on or after your pet is 16 weeks old and is good for 1 year.
• Influenza
• Yes, dogs can get the flu like humans. Although this is not considered a “core” vaccine it is better to be safe than sorry if your pets daycare, boarding facility, groomer (etc) were to have a flu outbreak. Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Lyme
• The prevalence of ticks in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. In addition to flea/tick preventatives, this vaccine is an extra defense mechanism. And yes, it should be given even if you live in a city. Ticks can travel from wooded areas to alley ways on the bodies of little critters! Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your puppy has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated! It is best to get this done once a year, or if you notice your pet having loose stool.
• Heartworm Test
• This is a simple blood test done to check if your puppy has been exposed to heartworm. If positive, you and your vet will talk about treatments for your pet. If negative, ask your vet about heartworm preventatives that might fit your pet and lifestyle the best.

 Kittens:

• FVRCP
• This vaccine protects against the 5 most common cat viruses that they can be exposed to. Vaccine is boostered 3 times, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV
• Protects against feline leukemia. Vaccine is boostered 2 times, 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV/FIV Test
• This is a simple blood test that will be run on your kittens first vet visit to see if they are negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.  
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your kitten has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated.

That was a lot of information, but once these boosters are done your pet should only have to come in for their annual exam and annual vaccines! It is important to educate yourself on what your pet needs to stay healthy and keep track of when the boosters for each vaccine are due. In addition to these core vaccines, there are some preventatives for fleas and ticks as well as heartworm so that your pet is not at risk of contracting heartworm or lyme disease from infected mosquitos or a flea wrecking havoc on your pet’s skin.

It may seem like a lot for a tiny four legged animal, but if you start out your pet’s health journey on the right foot, you will have many happy years with your new pet!

Written By: Dr. Megan Moser, Companion Animal Hospital Wicker Park

Companion discusses pet allergies & factors on CBS Chicago

Our very own Dr. Amanda Schnitker at Companion Animal Hospital River North was featured on CBS Chicago! Watch the video to learn more about pet allergies and what do do if your pet has a serious allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis.
Severity of allergies in pets can vary, just like in humans, and can be due to a long list of factors such as medications, pollen, dander, shampoo, dust, and food. Often times, minor allergies produce symptoms such as:
- Excessive paw-licking
- Itchiness
- Scratching and butt-scooting
- Hair loss, either an all-over thinning or bald spots
- Coughing, sneezing, or asthma
- Tummy trouble like vomiting and diarrhea (for food allergies)
However, anaphylaxis is serious and can be fatal as it can affect major organ systems such as the gastrointestinal tract, the circulatory system and the lungs. Action should be taken immediately if your dog shows any of the following symptoms:
- Swollen muzzle and/or eyes
- Sudden gasping and trouble breathing
- Rapid-onset diarrhea or vomiting
- Weakness
- Collapsing
Please reach out to your nearest Companion location with any questions or concerns!

Written By: Morgan Rhyner, Companion Animal Hospital Marketing Manager
Sources: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/my-dog-just-came-inside-and-her-eyelids-and-muzzle-are-swollen-whats-going-on - https://www.rover.com/blog/dogs-allergic-reaction-signs/

Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!

Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!

With warm weather right around the corner, allergies are starting to act up. Just like humans, many dogs are affected by seasonal allergies.  Allergies in dogs show up as skin problems, typically signaled by licking, biting, scratching, etc.  The discomfort from the allergy itself can be doubled when secondary (bacterial and/or yeast) infections on the skin occur. Though it depends on what your dog is allergic to, allergies are commonly seen seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall. 

There are many medication options for seasonal allergies.  All of them have their pros and cons.  Some common medications work well but have annoying side effects.  Others are very safe, but are only minimally effective.  Recently, a new injection known as Cytopoint was added to your veterinarian’s arsenal to combat the itch associated with your pet’s allergy.

What is Cytopoint? 

Cytopoint is an injection works by decreasing the itch associated with allergies.  It does this by blocking IL-31, a cytokine that triggers the process of sending itch signals to the brain.  Cytokines are a protein that signals other cells by binding to receptors on those cells.  Basically, the cytopoint blocks the itch from being felt by the brain and thus stops the licking, biting, scratching, and discomfort associated with allergies.

When given, Cytopoint begins relieving itching within one day and injections last for 4-8 weeks.  They can be repeated as needed.  Cytopoint is very safe for dogs of all ages, even those with other diseases, and can be used with many other common medications.  It has little to no side effects and has minimal effects on the immune system as a whole.

If your dog has signs that may be consistent with seasonal allergies, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see if Cytopoint might be a good fit for you!

Written by: Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills

Crawford Animal Hospital

Heartworm - it's not just a summer threat!

Why is it so important to keep your pets on heartworm preventative year round? Check out this video to learn just what heartworm is and the importance of year round prevention!

Rabies Vaccine - Why does my pet need that?

Rabies Vaccine - Why does my pet need that?

These days, we rarely hear about a domestic animal with rabies virus, and when a human gets rabies, it makes the evening news!  However unseen, rabies virus is endemic to the continental United States, which results in many of our wildlife animal friends still affected.  

How common is rabies? 

In the latest epidemiologic report from 2010, the CDC identified 6,153 cases of rabies in animals and 2 human cases.  Of those, 92% of cases were in wild, undomesticated animals.  Domestic species accounted for 8% of all rabid animals reported in the United States in 2010. In 2010, the number of reported rabid domestic animals decreased compared to 2009 among all domestic species except cats.  The principal hosts today are wild carnivores and bats. As you can see, rabies virus is still among us!  Your pet needs the rabies vaccination to prevent possible exposure.  There is no treatment for dogs or cats, and infection with rabies virus for pets is 100% fatal.  And the bottom line is, rabies vaccination is the law.

The law comes into effect if your pet is reported to medical workers or the police for scratching or biting a person, or in some cases, another animal.  If your animal is current on their rabies vaccination, you will get a ticket for the bite/scratch and you are required to home-quarantine your pet for 10 days.  If your pet is not current of their rabies vaccination, you will get a ticket for the bite/scratch and you are required to impound-quarantine your pet at a shelter or veterinary clinic for 10 days.

Rabies vaccines are very safe.  Less that 0.05% of animals have a reaction to the rabies vaccine.  Also, rabies vaccines are 100% effective in preventing rabies infection!

By: Amanda Schnitker, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Takes on Rare Case

Companion Animal Hospital takes on rare case with successful outcome

As a Veterinarian you will always have those cases that stick with you and remind you even on the toughest day that I love what I do and grateful to have the opportunity to work with caring people and great owners."Queen" White is one of those cases....

The Problem    

Queen was a 8 week old female German Shepherd puppy that presented for vomiting/ regurgitation.  She had been drinking her mother's milk but as soon as she went over to solid food the episodes started and we saw her two days after the vomiting had started.  Queen had a sweet disposition was incredibly adorable.  Dr. Johnson recommended radiographs to look at her gastrointestinal tract which looked somewhat abnormal, so we pursued doing a barium study which highlights different areas of the gastrointestinal tract and is able to pick up strictures and other abnormalities that a normal radiograph could not.  As we looked at the radiographs during barium study, my heart sunk because I could see the problem immediately.

The Diagnosis     

Queen had a persistent right aortic arch which left untreated would mean death.  This congenital abnormality occurs when the right aortic arch which normally regresses during development does not and wraps/ compresses the esophagus.  This causes the esophagus to stricture down at the site of the irregularity and severely distend in front of it collecting food and then causing regurgitation.   We typically will see this problem in very young puppies because milk or watery substances can pass much easier then solid food. 

There is a surgery to correct the problem but usually handled by a Boarded Surgeon because of the delicacy of working in the thoracic cavity.  This is a costly surgery and some puppies do not recover even with the surgery.  As I presented all the options to the client, Mr. and Mrs. White really wanted to give Queen a chance and were willing to pay for the surgery even with an unknown outcome.

The Plan

I called Dr. Hammer at Companion Animal Hospital of Norridge, a Boarded, skillful, experienced surgeon to see if they would see the White's and Queen for a surgical consultation.   Dr. Hammer not only saw them he performed the surgery a few days later.  The surgery involves going in to the thoracic cavity and removing the persistent right aortic arch segment by ligating both sides and removing the part that is compressing the esophagus.  He also went in a ballooned out the strictured area to try and open it up more.  Queen recovered from the anesthesia and surgery well.

   Little Queen is a fighter and with patience and small meals frequently throughout the day, she will continue to thrive and get in to trouble as every puppy should!

Queen's case stayed with me is that this type of congenital abnormality is pretty rare.  I had heard about it during Veterinary School and read about it, but honestly I never thought I would get to see, diagnose, and treat a case.  We call these the ZEBRA cases.......rare cool cases.

Queen's story continues and her recovery again reminds me of my love of this field.

Written By:

Megan Moser DVM

Companion Animal Hospital of Skokie

There are so many dental treats on the market…..which ones work the best?

There are so many dental treats on the market - 
which ones work the best?

Home dental care plays an important role reducing the need for a professional dental cleaning for your pet by your veterinarian.  Professional dental cleanings performed by your veterinarian are proven to be important to your pet’s overall health, but it’s the treatment owners do at home between cleanings that can have a bigger effect!

Daily teeth brushing has long been the best way to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar.  Many pet owners, however, find it difficult to make this a priority in their pets.  For this reason, dental treats have gained in popularity as they are seen as a more convenient alternative to brushing.

Dental treats typically break up plaque as it forms on the teeth.  There are two main ways this is accomplished.  The first is associated with the mechanical action of chewing.  Many treats are strategically shaped to help “brush” the teeth as they are chewed.  Dental treats will typically take a bit longer for your pet to eat than a treat not meant to have this function.  Many dental treats also contain enzymes which interact with developing plaque on the teeth.  Together, the mechanical chewing action and enzymatic cleaning help slow the accumulation of tartar formation and periodontal disease development.

Which dental treats are the best?  In general, look for an item which is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).  These products typically have a seal of approval on them which states they are VOHC accepted.  The VOHC is a group of veterinary dentists and dental scientists and their approval indicates regular use of that product will reduce the severity of periodontal disease in pets.

Professional dental cleanings will always be necessary to maintain oral health.  Teeth brushing and treats can help slow the progression of plaque, tartar, and periodontal disease helping make your pet’s dental more routine.  Look for the VOHC seal of approval the next time you are looking for a dental treat!

www.vohc.org

article written by:

Derek Williamson, DVM

Crawford Animal Hospital