REGIONAL- Some area residents are concerned that their dogs may be infected with the COVID-19 virus. But since there are not currently any readily available tests for dogs, at this point it is just a guess.
“We are suspicious that some dogs may have COVID,” said Ely Vet Clinic owner Dr. Chip Hanson DVM.
Symptoms in dogs are similar to those in humans: fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, runny nose, vomiting, eye discharge, and diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that dogs infected with COVID-19 may or may not get sick, but that when pets have gotten sick they mostly had mild illness and fully recovered, and that serious illness in pets is extremely rare.
“The American Veterinary Medicine Association is currently advising us not to try to test dogs that we are suspicious of,” said Hanson. “They aren’t sure they have good testing worked out and so far they do not believe that they have documented dog-to person transmission.”
Sc-entists believe that pets are catching the disease from infected family members. The CDC said that pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. But they also say the risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
The CDC said there is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets, and warnS pet owners not to wipe or bathe their pets with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.
“The risk of animals spreading the COVID-19 virus to people is considered low. Animals don’t appear to play a major role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19,” writes Dr. Daniel DeSimone, on the Mayo Clinic website.
If you have COVID-19 and have a pet, the Mayo Clinic recommends:
• Isolate yourself from everyone else, including your pet, except to provide basic care. If possible, have another person in your household care for your pet.
• Avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding with your pet.
• If you care for your pet or are around animals while you’re sick, wear a face mask. Wash your hands before and after handling animals and their food, waste and supplies. Also, make sure you clean up after your pet.
If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health and COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you contact your veterinarian.