With the rapid spread of both news and COVID-19 disease from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it’s hard to know where to turn for information. Many of you are as concerned about your pets as you are about your human family. We know how you feel! You want the facts to help keep your whole family – furry, feathered, scaly, or human – safe.
We want to take a moment to assure you that the safety and wellbeing of our clients, pets, and team members remain our highest priority.
Therefore, if you or anyone in your household is running a fever or showing other signs of illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. We would be happy to reschedule your appointment.
Veterinary Village has always practiced and maintained a clean and comfortable environment. Because this has been a practice for us already, we will continue to use the same operations. We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts in using disinfectants in public and high contact areas such as restrooms, lobby seating, counters, keyboards, exam rooms, exam room tables, and door handles. We will continue to use a disinfectant that kills a wide spectrum of viruses and bacteria including the coronavirus. In addition, we have required our team to wash their hands before and after contact with clients or pets for the recommended 20 seconds. As always, we have restrooms available for our clients to wash their hands.
What do you need to know?
First off, it’s early days in both the outbreak and in our knowledge of the virus. Recommendations may change as our understanding of the virus and associated disease changes, but for now, it’s good to go back to basics. COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a newly recognized member of the coronavirus family that appears to primarily infect humans.
Other coronaviruses are responsible for things like colds in humans. However, each member of a viral family is as different from each other as you are from your Great-Uncle Louis.
This particular coronavirus is spreading rapidly because humans don’t yet have immunity built up in our populations. This is why staying home as much as possible, disinfecting surfaces, and washing your hands are important to slow the spread of the virus throughout our community.
Can I get SARS-CoV-2 from my dog or cat?
No. As of now, there’s no indication that dogs or cats can carry the virus or transmit it to humans. Still, washing your hands after handling or picking up after your pet is always a good idea as there are other organisms such as parasites that can move from pet to person.
Can my dog or cat get SARS-CoV-2 from a person?
Possibly. There has been at least one case where a dog tested positive for the virus after being exposed to an infected human. However, human-to-pet transmission seems to be quite rare.
Can my veterinarian test my pet for SARS-CoV-2?
Probably not, and it’s probably not necessary. Right now, in many countries, there aren’t enough resources to test all humans showing symptoms. If your pet has a cough, a fever, or is otherwise ill, many other things are more likely to be causing those signs.
Where can I learn more?
This article on Veterinary Partner has compiled a list of frequently updated and reliable resources on COVID-19 as well as the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Veterinary Partner COVID-19 Article
The AVMA has created an informative web page covering general issues COVID-19 as it pertains to humans and pets:
AVMA COVID-19 Info
The Worms and Germs Blog is providing frequent reports on this issue:
Worms and Germs Blog
The CDC website is a resource for human-specific info:
CDC COVID-19 Info
And also has a FAQ section specific to pets:
CDC Coronavirus and Pets FAQ
As with so many things in life, exercising common sense and some extra care, plus lots of handwashing and sanitizing, will benefit us all. As always please contact us if you have COVID-19 questions specific to your pet.