Concerns emerged on February 28th that pets could spread COVID-19 to their owners when a dog that belonged to a woman infected with COVID-19, also tested “weak positive” for the disease. The dog has shown no symptoms for the disease and is in quarantine, where the pet is to be tested.
According to veterinarians, the threat that the virus causing COVID-19 could sicken pets and spread it to their owners is very low. According to Guy Palmer, DVM and senior director of global health at Washington State University “It is really hard to interpret what weak positive means. There is a suspicion among scientists whether it is a true positive. “Until there is any other information, Palmer says that pet owners can feel confident that the virus isn’t spreading between pet owners and their pets.” But, we are not totally out of the woods as of yet. The virus that causes COVID-19 is continuing to evolve. This could change in the upcoming weeks and months.
Here are some tips to keep you and your pets safe:
•Keep your pets at home and away from other pets and animals
•You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people.
•Wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching pets
•To protect your pet from respiratory diseases, vaccinate your pet for Bordetella, parainfluenza and canine influenza, which are the most common
vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases in pets.