Corona (Covid-19) - what about my pets?

I know that we are all worried and concerned for the people and pets we love. It does not help that this is also a situation that changes daily with new data and news. The important thing is to rely on facts from those sources who know the facts.  

I am sure that you heard that Hong Kong health authorities released information that a pet dog belonging to a person infected with the Covid-19 virus tested as a weak positive for this type of coronavirus. At this time there is uncertainty if this dog was actually infected by the owner, or if the weak positive test result was due to surface contamination from the dog picking up traces of the virus in its nose and mouth. The dog is currently under quarantine with the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further testing. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at this time there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread Covid-19.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) continues to monitor the situation, and encourages the public to stay informed with updates regarding Covid-19 from the following organizations’ websites: World Health Organization, American Veterinary Medical Association, and World Organization for Animal Health.

spcaLA offers these tips to pet companions in the wake of Coronavirus concerns:

• Maintain good hygiene practices by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching pets.
• Optimize your pet’s health by providing regular preventative care including vaccinations, deworming, and flea and tick prevention.
• Regularly visit a veterinarian for overall health examinations.
• Create a pet emergency preparedness kit that includes items like, food, bowls, water, medications, leash/collar, vet records, etc. Include pets in emergency plans, and indicate a designated caregiver in the event you are unable to care for your pets. Visit spcaLA.com for a complete list of pet preparedness kit items.
• Make sure your pet is licensed and microchipped, and information is up to date.
• Ensure all of your pet’s information is readily available for emergencies including current photos, pet license information, vaccination history, and microchip number. Consider saving and updating the information on your smart phone for quick access.
• Always keep a cool head. Remember, preparation is key.

Stay healthy and prepared.