Page 65 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

Covid 19 and your pet

Dr. Janet Batker
Lillington Veterinary Hospital

We don’t hear much about pets and the likelihood of infec- have been reported. The American Veterinary Medical As-
tion with the novel corona virus in them, although both dogs sociation is reminding pet owners to have a plan in place to
and cats harbor their own strains of this genus of viruses. The care for their pet in the event they the owner develops Covid
corona viruses that we were familiar with in the past usually 19. We recommend that if an owner becomes infected to have
produced asymptomatic infections or caused diarrhea. With someone else in the home care for the animals, or if this is not
COVID-19 here have been several reports of pets that have possible, to wear a mask while caring for animals and owners
been infected and have experienced quite similar signs of re- should definitely not share food with or kiss or hug their pets.
spiratory disease as their human counterparts have. Restrict your contact with your feline or canine companion just
as you would with people. Please don’t panic or consider aban-
Most people in the USA are also familiar with the fact that the doning your pet for any reason but be prepared for emergencies
“big” cat outbreak at the Bronx Zoo! At the present time, any and take steps to protect them.
pet admitted to our clinic with a cough is at least a suspect,
and so far we have not had any confirmed cases; only with a As of this article a clinical trial with a COVID 19 (SARS-
specific history are pets eligible for testing which is done in CoV-2) vaccine for domestic cats has been approved. No cats
collaboration with the public health veterinarian and the local have transmitted the disease to people, but they have to other
health department. cats. Scientists have done extraordinary things this year to ad-
vance the fight against this disease and the public should ap-
At the present time infections appear to have been spread to plaud each and every researcher and clinician and health care
cats and dogs only through contact with an infected person. worker who has sacrificed their time and health for our benefit.
COVID 19 typically causes mild disease in pets, but fatalities Go team.

Harnett Life ~ Winter 2020 Page 65