Veterinarians play an integral role in public health. Your education helps you understand zoonotic diseases and other health concerns that can affect both humans and animals.

And even though pets don’t appear to play a significant role in transmitting coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the current global pandemic, your knowledge can still help both people and pets.

Here are some important things we know so far about COVID-19 in cats and dogs, and how that knowledge can affect your team, your clients, and your patients…

Can dogs and cats get COVID-19?

So far, there have been millions of cases of novel coronavirus infecting human beings…

However, the disease was only documented in a handful of pets worldwide.

Of the pets infected with SARS-CoV-2, many did not exhibit symptoms—which indicates pets could be a dead-end host for the virus.

Between dogs and cats, cats seem more likely to develop clinical disease—although this is based on only a small number of confirmed cases and knowledge in this matter is still evolving. 

Ferrets may also be at risk.

And besides housecats, tigers at a New York City zoo have tested positive and shown clinical symptoms of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 in pets are not yet well defined, but may include respiratory or GI symptoms, as well as fever and lethargy.

Can humans get COVID-19 from dogs and cats?

Right now, there’s no evidence that humans can contract COVID-19 from their dog or cat. The risk of zoonosis is considered low.

If anything, it’s the other way around—pets who have been infected probably caught the virus from their human companions.

For that reason, the CDC recommends that if a person is sick with COVID-19, they should…

• Self-quarantine from their dog or cat, for the standard, recommended quarantine time. Try to stay in a separate room and avoid petting, cuddling, being licked, and sharing food or bedding.

• Ask another household member to take care of the pet during their quarantine, if possible.

• If the person must care for their own pet, they should wear a face mask and wash their hands before and after interacting with their pet.

• Worried pet owners should call a vet practice before coming in. A telehealth consult may be recommended in lieu of an in-person visit.

And of course, besides being infected themselves, it’s also possible that a non-infected dog or cat could act as a fomite—for example, if their fur was exposed to respiratory droplets from an infected person.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in pets

At this time, the CDC doesn’t recommend routine testing of dogs, cats, or other companion animals. Instead, the need for testing must be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Here are some factors to consider…

• Testing is available for mammals only.

• A thorough history should be taken to assess for a possible exposure within 2 weeks prior to symptoms.

• Other, more common causes of these symptoms should be ruled out first.

• If you feel testing is needed, contact your state public health veterinarian or state animal health official to discuss testing options—and they should be immediately contacted again if the test is positive.

According to the USDA, positive samples from private veterinary laboratories require confirmatory testing at USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

The OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) recommends testing via RT-PCR on oral, nasal, and fecal/rectal samples, while carefully avoiding contamination from the environment or people during the process.

Currently, Antech and Idexx both offer PCR testing options. 

And in April of this year, Idexx announced the availability of a commercial test for veterinarians to use (although they recommend consulting with public health authorities prior to ordering the test).

Treatment for COVID-19 in pets

For many pets, care at home may be the best option. This will depend on the owner’s ability to safely provide care for and quarantine their pet—and household members not being at high risk due to age or health conditions.

In some cases, isolation at a veterinary clinic or hospital may be preferred.

Just like human beings, there’s no specific cure or preventive vaccine for pets for SARS-CoV-2… so, treatment is primarily supportive care.

How to help clients during this time

If any of your clients are concerned, you can help present the facts and avoid the spread of misinformation.

Consider sending out a newsletter—that will not only update clients with accurate information but also help them stay bonded to your practice during social distancing.

For the vast majority of pet owners, you can reassure them there’s no reason to abandon pets… On the contrary, due to stay-at-home orders and staffing limitations at animal shelters, right now is NOT a good time for anybody to abandon a pet they care about.

In general, it’s best to treat a pet as if he or she were a person—they should practice social distancing, too, and avoid more contact with people and other pets outside the home than necessary…

Also, consider stocking up on two weeks of supplies (food, medicine, etc.) for pets, just as you would for human members of the household…

Note that pets differ from humans in that they should NOT wear face masks.

And, you can advise your clients on best practices for veterinary visits during this time—including whether to come in now or wait until later for routine care … what to expect when they arrive at your practice parking lot … which viral testing options are available … and anything else they need to know.

In our next blog post, we’ll have some information about animal hospital protocols and COVID-19. Until then, best wishes and stay safe!

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only, and not intended as a guide to the medical treatment of any specific animal.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM