The bad news is one dog DID test “mild positive” for coronavirus in Hong Kong. The good news – it’s a real exception and is probably related to the fact that this dog’s owner has coronavirus. Experts assure us the HUMAN probably passed some of the viral bacteria to the DOG’s mouth.
It’s highly, highly unlikely that your pets can carry the virus or have it. This strain — COVID-19 is spread between people.
According to the World Health Organisation, there’s no reason to panic about pets as possible victims or carriers of the coronavirus, since there’s no evidence that they can be infected.
Most viruses cannot be spread between humans and animals
The Centres of Disease Control and Prevention noted that there had been no reports of animals being infected in the US.
And the well respected World Organization for Animal Health confirms:
The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human to human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals can spread the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.
The most important factor for all of us, is to simply wash our hands with lots with soap and water.
Protect your Pets
Dogs and cats should also “socially isolate say” experts.
- don’t let them interact with people outside your household
- keep yourself and your dog at least 6′ from other people and dogs
- avoid dog parks or public places where there are large numbers of people, even if they are maintaining the 6′ distance
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds.
Their name comes from the Latin corona, meaning crown or hearth because of the fringe of large, bulbous projections that make it look like a crown.
COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus.
COVID-19 is an acronym that stands for coronavirus disease of 2019.
A “novel” coronavirus means that it is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus, except zoo tigers, below, and there is no evidence that dogs or other pets can contract or spread COVID-19.
Caring for your Morkie when YOU are sick
- if you think you have COVID-19 or it’s been confirmed by a test, restrict contact with your pets and other animals
- ask another member of your household to take care of your Morkie
- no snuggling, kissing or petting until you are all clear
- don’t share bedding or food
- cover your face around your pets and wash your hands well after ANY contact with your pet
If you are sick with COVID-19 and you’re worried your Morkie is sick too, CALL YOUR VET RIGHT AWAY. Do not go to the clinic – call first.
What about the dog in Hong Kong that test positive for COVID-19?
The Hong Kong government reported that an apparently healthy dog belonging to an infected person tested “weakly positive” in March. The dog was 17 years old and did die later.
Two cats in New York become the first confirmed cases of pets to test positive in the US. They’re expected to recover.
Should my pet wear a mask?
No. There’s no scientific evidence that face masks protect pets from infectious diseases or air pollutants, and masks have the potential to be unnecessarily scary or uncomfortable for pets.
Should I get my pet tested for COVID-19?
At this time, testing pets for COVID-19 virus is unwarranted, as there is currently no indication that apparently healthy and unexposed pets should be tested for the virus.
Dogs CAN get certain types of coronavirus.
Dog Coronavirus
Veterinarians say there are a number of coronavirus strains that affect dogs, and they’ve been around for years, but those that affect your pet aren’t the same as the one affecting people now.
Canine coronavirus is not the same as COVID-19, known as the coronavirus, being transmitted from person-to-person right now.
There is no evidence that dogs or other pets can contract or spread COVID-19.
Canine coronavirus is a respiratory disease, and it is highly contagious. But it is relatively mild and shows up as a single incidence of vomiting, or a day or two of diarrhea. Fever is rare. Often, there are no symptoms at all.
The treatment is usually to keep your sick dog isolated from other dogs, and keep his area clean, especially clean of poop since that’s one way it is spread. After a couple of days, your dog should be fine.
The main thing to watch for is dehydration resulting from diarrhea.
CANINE CORONAVIRUS (CCV)
- relatively mild, sometimes has no symptoms at all
- it is no longer recommended – in fact it is actively advised that you DOI NOT get this vaccination for your dog because of the side effects
- it is more harmful to dogs than helpful
- it will not affect people or help them in any way
- Vets may recommend it form time to time as a high-profit vaccination
- at this time there is no vaccine for COVID-19
Here's everything we know about COVID-19 and companion animals
Cases remain rare. It appears transmission of the disease from human to animal is low, with a tiny number of cases reported since the outbreak’s early days. Importantly, there is no evidence pets can transmit to their owners. The World Health Organization says there’s “no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19.”
One veterinary laboratory distributed 4,000 tests for cats and dogs; the results came back that ZERO were infected with COVID-19.
There IS a COVID danger for pets like Yorkie Maltese dogs
The AVMA or American Veterinary Medical Association tells us that the primary concern is for humans and that any concern for animals and COVID-19 is around:
- Shortage of drugs and medical supplies for animals – because it’s all being bought up in a panic, for people, and
- A possible shortage of pet food in your own home, if the event quarantining comes to North America.
They remind us that as always, we need to include our animals in emergency preparedness planning, keeping a two week supply food and medications on hand for everyone in our home.
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