Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses are widespread within the dog and cat population, are well known and have been around for decades. These should not be confused with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. The main coronaviruses that affect dogs and cats are canine enteric coronavirus, canine respiratory coronavirus, and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIP).

• Canine enteric (intestinal) coronavirus: Usually causes mild diarrhea in puppies. Occasionally, this virus can cause more severe disease.
• Canine respiratory coronavirus: Usually transmitted via droplet inhalation (like SARS-CoV-2). It is one of the multiple agents involved in the canine infectious respiratory disease complex or ‘kennel cough’.
• FIP virus: Usually causes mild diarrhea. However, the virus can mutate and cause severe disease (fever, weight loss, neurological signs, respiratory signs, inflammation of the eyes or different organs of the body). Until recently, the disease was lethal but there is now a promising antiviral drug for the treatment of FIP.

Usually, the disease by these viruses is caused in young and immunocompromised animals. Animals with a competent immune system tend not to develop clinical signs.

SARS-CoV-2 virus

This is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in people.

Although the information is limited, we know that the virus can be transmitted from people to animals in certain situations. For example, if a pet is in contact with a human infected with COVID-19. There are reports of pets, especially cats and ferrets, being infected; mostly after contact with a person suffering from COVID-19. Infected cats and ferrets can be asymptomatic or have mild signs. Dogs appear to be more resistant to infection and are unlikely to become sick.

It is extremely rare that pets get seriously ill if they are infected, although this has been reported sporadically in cats. And pets are not thought to be an important source of infection for humans. However, if a human is infected with COVID-19, one should avoid contact with pets when possible (same as we would do with people). If this is not possible, the human should undertake hygienic measures before and after contact with the pet. Infected pets can get sick or remain asymptomatic. Most of the pets that got sick had only mild illness and recovered completely. As a precaution, pets in contact with a human with COVID-19, should be kept inside and away from other people.

Clinical signs in pets have been reported as lethargy, sneezing, fever, cough, breathing difficulty, nasal or ocular discharge and gastrointestinal signs (vomiting or diarrhea). Routine testing of pets for SARS-CoV-2 is not readily available or recommended in most cases. There are many other conditions that are more common and can cause similar clinical signs, such as ‘cat flu’ or ‘kennel cough’, and therefore your veterinary surgeon may advise you to perform further tests or treatments for those problems. If your vet has a clinical suspicion regarding SARS-CoV-2, they may consider testing your pet.

The risk of pets playing a role in transmitting COVID-19 to humans is thought to very low and people are much more likely to get COVID-19 from other people than from animals. However, there should be caution when handling infected pets, especially cats and ferrets.

Pets may also carry the virus on their coats, but the risk for transmission of COVID-19 through this way is low. Fur is porous and fibrous, which traps the virus, as opposed to non-porous and smooth surfaces such as doorknobs. The use of wipes or baths with chemical disinfectants or similar products is not recommended, and only appropriate products for bathing or cleaning pets should be used.

Summary

In summary, the risk of a pet becoming ill from infection with COVID-19 is very low and the risk of transmission from pets to humans is also thought to be very low. If you have any concerns regarding your pet’s health, you should discuss this with your veterinary surgeon.