Coronavirus or Covid-19 has dominated global headlines for weeks and as the virus spreads across continents, pet owners are beginning to ask if their pets are at risk.
Coronavirus: are my pets at risk?
As with any major health crisis, there’s a lot of misinformation doing the rounds but according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.”
This means that it is very unlikely that dogs and cats can get the virus from people or serve as a source of the infection.
Can the virus mutate?
Most viruses can only infect a limited number of species, but coronaviruses seem to be predisposed to mutation and therefore able to infect new species.
Consider the coronavirus outbreaks we’ve had in recent years: the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak originated in camels; and the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) appears to have come from civet cats. Although scientists don’t definitively know the source of Covid-19, research suggests it may have come from bats via pangolins. Both animals were allegedly butchered on the same wooden board in a Wuhan (China) market selling wildlife.
But I’ve heard of canine coronavirus and feline coronavirus. What’s that?
Canine coronavirus is a highly contagious intestinal disease found in dogs around the world. Infection is generally considered to be relatively mild with some vomiting and diarrhoea. Puppies are at highest risk. Dogs usually recover on their own or with some symptomatic treatment.
Feline coronavirus also causes diarrhoea, especially in kittens. Neither virus can infect people; neither is the same virus as Covid-19.
And in the future?
Because viruses are constantly changing it is possible that Covid-19 could mutate even further and that an even newer coronavirus will emerge.
The most important way you can protect yourself and your family from any virus is through good hygiene. Washing hands frequently with soap and water – especially after being close to sick people, handling animals or animal waste. If your pet is ill take him to the vet.
Keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date because a weakened immune system is vulnerable to disease.
