A few pets worldwide have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes the Covid-19 disease in humans. Most of the positive pets have been in close contact with a person who was infected. Unfortunately, we still have only limited information about transmission of the virus between humans and their pets. However, the risk to pets appears to be very low. The CDC does not recommend routinely testing pets for Covid-19, even though test kits are now available. There are numerous other causes of fever and respiratory infection which are much more likely and should be ruled out first.
Before Testing Pets for Covid-19 Virus
Your veterinarian will need to consider a number of things:
- Is the pet is living in a household with a human who has COVID-19 or has tested positive for the virus?
- Have more common causes of upper respiratory infections been ruled out with appropriate testing?
- Is the pet (particularly cats and ferrets) showing clinical signs consistent with COVID-19?
Upper Respiratory Diseases are Numerous in Our Pets
Bordetella bronchiseptica, Chlamydophila felis, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), H7N2 avian influenza virus, influenza A virus (includes H3N2, H1N1, H3N8) and Mycoplasma felis are the more common diseases in pets (dogs, cats, ferrets, and chickens) that can cause flu-like. Other diseases like Canine Distemper can also cause an illness that looks like flu and is often deadly. Making certain your pet receives appropriate vaccinations can help prevent many of these diseases.
How to Protect Your Pets From Covid-19
- Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people outside the household.
- Use social distancing for pets! Take a nice stroll together, but do not allow your pet to interact with other pets
- If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.
- Information about Covid-19 in pets and people is rapidly evolving. Follow respected websites like the CDC and AVMA for updates.