Pets and the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

When the current outbreak of novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, first came to light in December 2019, researchers indicated that animals were the likely source of the virus. Then a dog in Hong Kong tested "weak positive" for the virus, spurring people to wonder if their pets could contract the virus. Luckily, the newest evidence indicates that our pets cannot get COVID-19 or become ill from it. Nevertheless, coronaviruses - in general - are common in all animals, so understanding them better is helpful!


First and foremost, what are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses, in general, are a group of viruses that can cause a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to a runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and sometimes intestinal distress. Some are as mild as the common cold (and are often thought of as such), while others are more severe and can develop into pneumonia. These viruses are typically spread through direct contact with an infected person, though community spread may also happen. Community spread is the term given to infection in a particular geographic area where the specific source of infection cannot be identified.

Coronaviruses get their name from crown-like spikes that are found on the surface of the virus. Other well-known coronaviruses, in addition to COVID-19, are SARS and MERS, the former of which you likely recall from its outbreak in 2003. 


Do coronaviruses exist in animals?

There are many different kinds of coronaviruses that exist in many different species, from humans to bats and pangolins (the two most probable sources of the current outbreak) to pigs to dogs and cats and beyond. In fact, coronaviruses can be found in most mammals and birds. However, not all coronaviruses have the ability to infect all mammals or birds. That is, many are species-specific, and jumping to other species is unusual.


Can we get a strain of the coronaviruses from our pets?


You might have recently read about the aforementioned dog in Hong Kong that tested positive for COVID-19. Researchers there have determined that the dog was infected by the virus at a "low level" and, as such, the dog was quarantined and underwent further testing until the results return negative. The virus was found in the canine's mouth and nose, which are dogs' means of exploring the environment around them. The dog did not show any symptoms of COVID-19 and has since been released.


How can I protect my pet against COVID-19?

Again, there's no evidence that your pets can contract or become ill from COVID-19.

To protect your pet from respiratory diseases, in general, see your veterinarian to vaccinate your pet for bordetella, parainfluenza, and canine influenza, which are the most common vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases in pets.







What happens if I get COVID-19?

If you become ill with the COVID-19 coronavirus, don't panic. It has been found to be most serious to those whose immune systems are already compromised, and most people will simply experience it as a bad cold. Please do wear a well-fitted mask, however, to help prevent the spread of the virus. Limit contact with other humans and your pets as recommended by your physician and veterinarian.



Where can I find more information about COVID-19?

COVID-19 is new and still being researched, so physicians and veterinarians cannot be absolutely certain about the nature of its infection and spread. For more information, please see this advisory from the American Veterinary Medical Association



We wish you and your family the best of health! For more information about our hospital's response to this outbreak, please see MSAH Updates: Coronavirus (COVID-19).

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