Coronavirus - What You Need to Know

Recently, the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) recently put out an online article regarding the Coronavirus and how it has become a global public health risk to both human and pets.  While the virus seems to have emerged from an animal source, it is not spreading from person-to-person, mainly through respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.  The news media has been overrun with information about the virus so we hope the following info can help clear up any questions you may have.  

The most recent incidence of Coronavirus (named COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, China in late December and has caused great concern for owners and their pets.  There were reports of animals being abandoned or killed as their owners feared they might have the virus and were fearful it was transmissible to humans.

Coronavirus comes from a large family of viruses that can be found in both human and people, but it presents very differently and there are currently no indications that it can be transmitted from animals to people.  There is no evidence that any animals have been infected or spread the virus, but the WHO (World Health Organization) is hesitant to say it is impossible, as this is a “rapidly evolving situation”.  There is a lot that is still unknown about the virus and human health organizations are working diligently to control the spread and contain the outbreak.  At this time WSAVA President Shane Ryan says it is highly unlikely that COVID-19 will be transmitted trough their pets.  

On the flip side, since we don’t know a lot about the virus it is possible, however unlikely, that the virus could be spread FROM humans to pets.  The WSAVA One Health Committee recommends if you (or anyone in your home) is sick with the Corona Virus to keep your pet with you (if you are self-quarantined), always keep cats indoors and do not handle pets or other animals while sick.  As always, you should contact your veterinarian for further instructions.  If you suspect your animal may have been exposed to the Coronavirus call your veterinarian before taking the pet to the vet, in order to protect the pet from the possibility of disease transmission.

Although, canine Coronavirus vaccines are available in some areas they are intended to protect against the enteric coronavirus and are NOT licensed for protection against the respiratory strain of the Coronavirus.  There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE that vaccination dogs with the commercially available vaccines will provide any cross-protection against the current strain, COVID-19, since the enteric and respiratory viruses are distinctly different variants.  There are currently no respiratory Coronavirus vaccines available for dogs or humans.  

There is also no known vaccine for Coronavirus for cats, although the feline version can cause FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), which is generally has a fairly poor prognosis.

For more information please visit:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/index.html

https://www.oie.int/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/