Covid-19 and Your Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports, ‘Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organisations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.’
 
All current evidence supports the fact that the spread of COVID-19 in the human population is due to close human to human contact and that there is no evidence that pets are capable of spreading the disease to humans.  The reported case of the 17-year-old Pomeranian dog in Hong Kong that had initially been suspected of contracting the virus after contact with an infected human, has since been shown, by follow up testing, to not have any measurable antibodies to the virus.
 
As yet, it is unclear whether the dog was truly infected or not. I would like to appeal to all pet owners to not do anything rash that would compromise the welfare of their pet during the current situation.

IDEXX veterinary laboratory has evaluated thousands of canine and feline specimens during validation of a veterinary diagnostic test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have seen no positive results in pets for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak in humans.
 
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses consisting of multiple sub-groups that are commonly found in humans and other mammals, birds and reptiles. Coronaviruses get their name from their spiked surface proteins, or corona, which is Latin for crown. Coronavirus infections in animals, such as feline enteric coronavirus, are usually alpha coronaviruses.
 
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is a unique beta coronavirus that infects the human respiratory tract and differs from previously identified coronaviruses infecting humans or veterinary patients.
 
Recent reported cases of Coronavirus infection in greyhounds and cats were most definitely not due to the COVID-19 strain of virus and these types of infections have been seen and well managed by vets for many years. These diseases of animals are totally unrelated to the COVID-19 situation and pose no risk to human health. 
  
At this point in time, we are business as usual here at the Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic. We’ve introduced strict infection control measures for all team members to ensure the safety of everyone.

1. We have increased our disinfection measures within the clinic
2. Anyone who has symptoms of a cold, or who has been in close contact with someone who has a case of COVID-19, will not be returning to work until they are cleared by their GP.
3. We are working to keep the waiting room as clear as possible and those who would like to wait outside or in their car are welcome to do so.

 
We’ll do our best to look after you and your beloved pets safely during this time which is why we are taking the following steps to protect you and our team.

1. Wash or disinfect your hands upon arrival at the Clinic. A hand wash station has been set up in reception and hand sanitiser is also available.
2. Avoid attendance if you are unwell
3. If you have a pet emergency during this time but are unwell, please call us on 8553 2485 to discuss the best way for us to ensure your pet receives the care required
4. Watch this video from the World Health Organisation on 7 simple steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c_UJwLq8PI

 
Key points: 

• There have been two dogs in Hong Kong who have tested positive to COVID-19
• This was due to close contact with their owners who had COVID-19.
• Neither of these dogs showed any sign of illness 
• There is no evidence that dogs play any role in human infection
• If you are in quarantine, please keep your pet with you. However, minimise close contact and please wash your hands before and after handling your pet or its food and water bowls. 
• If you are in quarantine and your pet becomes unwell, please contact the Clinic by phone. DO NOT attend the Clinic without ringing first.
• Please do not do anything to compromise your pet’s welfare. Your veterinarian can talk to you on the phone about any concerns you may have. 

 
All the best everyone and take care.