What we know right now about pets and COVID-19

Currently, pets are not considered to be involved in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. A handful of pets around the world tested positive (compared to over 4 million human beings), and it is thought that these dogs and cats contracted the virus from a human. 

So, pets may have some risk of being infected from us, but at this time there’s no evidence of zoonosis from pets. 

Seeing patients during a pandemic

While veterinary medicine is generally considered an essential service, you’ve probably had to change the number of appointments you see—and the manner in which you see your clients and patients—during the coronavirus pandemic.

The CDC recommends using your professional judgment to provide care to pets while minimizing human-to-human exposure and conserving PPE (personal protective equipment).

This could mean…

• Seeing urgent care visits only while postponing routine and elective visits.

• Using telehealth consultations in lieu of in-person visits whenever possible.

• Requesting that clients call ahead of time to schedule their pet’s visit if possible.

• Implementing “curbside” service, where one of your team members picks up the pet from the client’s car in the parking lot. The pet owner stays outside and communicates by phone as you examine and treat their pet.

• If clients must enter the facility, insisting they wear a face mask and practice social distancing.

• If a client is ill with COVID-19 and their pet must be seen, they should have someone else (a healthy person from outside their household) bring in their pet, and also inform you that their pet has been exposed. It’s okay to ask clients while scheduling an appointment, and upon arrival at the clinic, if the pet has had any exposure to a person with known or suspected COVID-19.

• Practice frequent hand washing and disinfection of rooms and equipment.

• Have clients leave all unnecessary items (such as toys) at home to reduce the risk of spread via fomites.

In some cities or states, local regulations may have more detailed orders in terms of which visits and procedures can be performed. Check your location’s latest updates and mandates.

The same goes for telehealth consults: The FDA temporarily relaxed some of its telehealth guidelines for veterinarians as of late March 2020. However, that may change as businesses start to resume normal practices—and your state may have different rules.

Employee wellness and etiquette

The CDC recommends that staff members who are ill should stay home. Additionally, any team members who arrive at work with symptoms of illness—or become ill while at work—should be separated from others to reduce exposure, and sent home.

Staff members who are ill should not return to work for at least 10 days, until their symptoms have improved, and they are free of a fever (> 100.4 degrees) for 72 hours without using fever-controlling medications.

Social distancing should be maintained within veterinary practices. And face masks should be worn to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.

As much as reasonably possible, team members should avoid sharing equipment and workspaces. Any shared or frequently used equipment or spaces should be disinfected often.

If a team member is ill, or sent home due to suspicion of COVID-19, other employees should be informed of possible exposure in the workplace, while maintaining confidentiality (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).

Employees at a higher risk—such as older adults, pregnant individuals, or individuals with certain underlying health conditions—should limit exposure to clients and patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or a history of exposure.

Screening pets for COVID-19

As of this point in time, the CDC, USDA, and AVMA do not recommend routine testing of pets for COVID-19.

However, if you encounter a pet with relevant symptoms and known exposure to the virus, testing may be indicated after more common causes of the symptoms are ruled out. 

Contact your local or state public health official, the animal health official, or state veterinarian, who can guide you through the decision and procedures for testing.

When obtaining test samples (usually oral, nasal, or fecal/rectal swabs), strict PPE and disinfection protocols should be used to avoid exposure to the virus. 

PPE availability and usage

PPE may include face masks, gloves, eye protection, surgical caps, and gowns or coveralls. These items play an important part in protecting you and your staff from potential SARS-CoV-2 exposures.

Due to shortages of PPE in the human healthcare setting, it’s recommended that veterinarians look at CDC guidelines for PPE usage, use these resources conservatively, and consider reusable PPE where appropriate.

Limiting appointments—such as deciding to only see urgent care visits and postpone elective procedures—also plays a key role in the conservation of PPE for both human healthcare professionals and veterinarians alike.

Checking for updates

Since this is a novel virus and an unprecedented time in terms of global pandemic procedures, knowledge of the situation and recommendations are constantly evolving.

In order to stay up to date—and to stay in compliance with the latest legal requirements and safety recommendations—look for updates from your local and state authorities.

Check the CDC, USDA, and AVMA for more details regarding these recommendations—and be sure to follow them for updates. 

Also, look to the AVMA website for additional resources, such as financial and wellness strategies for veterinarians.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM