COVID 19 Update 3/15/2020

Amid the rapidly-evolving news regarding Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), we wanted to take a moment to share some helpful information and answer some common questions regarding this virus, domestic animals and pets, and what you can do to continue to stay safe. 

At this time, major world health organizations are emphasizing that the current primary concern is for human health. It is also important to know that, at this time, there is no concern regarding transmission to or from animals, and animals are not at risk for contracting COVID-19. 

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named for their structure, which resembles a crown, or “corona”

There are many different types of coronavirus which can infect people and animals; historically, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are types of coronavirus that have caused disease in humans

COVID-19 is the name for a new coronavirus that originated in China and causes respiratory disease, fever, and pneumonia in people

Can my pet get COVID-19?

COVID-19 appears to have emerged from an animal source. However, it is now spreading from among people.

At this time, there is no evidence that your pet can contract COVID-19 or that they may be a source of infection.

While there has been recent news about a dog testing “weak positive” for COVID-19 in Hong Kong, it does not mean this dog is truly positive, and no dogs in the US have been identified with the virus.  It stands to reason that if pets were able to be infected, we would be hearing about it.

Are coronaviruses in other animals related to COVID-19? What about vaccines?

Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.

Canine and bovine coronavirus cause diarrhea, and feline coronavirus can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). These diseases are NOT associated with the current COVID-19 outbreak.

While there are vaccines for some animal coronavirus, they are NOT licensed for protection against respiratory infections or COVID-19, and there is no evidence that they can provide any cross-protection.

What can I do to keep myself and my pet safe?

Keep cats indoors, and keep pets with you if you are self-quarantined.

Excellent hand hygiene is the bottom line: always wash hands as much as possible, especially before and after handling any animals or pets.

Here are some practices we are enforcing to increase everyone’s safety during this time: 

The lobby and all exam rooms are sanitized and wiped down thoroughly between appointments

All of our doctors and staff wash hands before and after each pet’s appointment

We are limiting the number of people accompanying a pet to the bare minimum.  This keeps the number of people entering the clinic to a minimum.  If you have kids with you due to the school closings, please call when you arrive and we can come out to your vehicle to get your pet.

Here are some practice you can implement to help everyone stay safe during this time:

For more from VWP on Coronavirus, check out the links below

/blog/coronavirus-statement

Animal Coronaviruses, an overview