Call us 513-791-7912
  MONTGOMERY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • What is AAHA?
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Tour
  • Contact
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop Now
  • Resources
  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • What is AAHA?
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Tour
  • Contact
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop Now
  • Resources

Can pets catch Covid?

2/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Photo credit: Big Ben in Japan www.flickr.com
We're almost a year into a global pandemic and starting to find out a few answers about this ever-changing virus. Here's what pet owners should know about Covid-19.

1. Yes. Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and hamsters can catch Covid-19. 
Several research studies of pets in homes where a family member has had Covid-19 have confirmed that pets can catch Covid-19 from their humans. Most of these pets are not sick, and their infections are only found because of lab testing. A few of them show mild respiratory signs that don't require treatment. Overall, it is very rare that a pet shows significant illness, but ferrets are the most susceptible of our pet species.  Some mink, which are closely related to ferrets, have died from the illness. 
What about other pets?  Thus far, birds and reptiles do not seem susceptible, but that may change in the future as more testing occurs.  Zoos have seen big cats and gorillas infected with the virus.

2. Can pets spread Covid? Maybe.

In laboratory settings, certain animals have spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus to others of the same species housed together. Cats, ferrets, and hamsters infected with the virus should be considered contagious to other cats, ferrets, and hamsters. Dogs do not seem to spread the virus to other dogs. ​

Most importantly, pets do NOT seem to be able to spread the virus back to people. No pet to person transmission has been documented at this time.
3. What should pet owners do?
Thankfully, you can protect your pet the same way you are protecting everyone else in your family. Follow CDC guidelines by wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and continuing to social distance to decrease your risk of catching Covid-19.

Testing pets for Covid is only available with approval from the State Veterinarian or through university research studies. If someone in your household has Covid and your pet is showing respiratory signs, please call us.

If you have Covid:
  • Minimize your contact with your pets while you are infectious (usually 10 days from when symptoms appeared or when you tested positive, but follow your local health guidelines).
  • Wear a mask, and avoid kissing or hugging your pet.
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Keep cats indoors, and keep dogs away from social situations like boarding, grooming, day care, or dog parks.

If your pet tests positive for Covid:
  • Isolate the pet away from other pets and people. 
  • Use bowls and bedding for that pet only.
  • Do NOT use disinfectants or sprays on your pet.
  • You should wear a mask and gloves while around your pet - but your pet should not wear a mask.
  • Clean and disinfect the room just as you would for a person in isolation for Covid.
Pets who test positive for Covid should be isolated until they test negative, or at least 14 days from a positive test. You do not need to relinquish a positive pet - they can rejoin the family after their period of isolation just like a person with Covid.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dr. Krumanaker

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Birds
    Cats
    Diseases
    Dogs
    Fleas And Ticks
    Food And Nutrition
    Pet Care
    Pet Dangers To Avoid

    Archives

    December 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

Office Hours

  • Monday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed

Montgomery Animal Hospital

7670 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
Phone: (513) 791-7912
AAHA, veterinarian, animal hospital, pet hospital

After Hours Care

Your pet care needs occurring after  business hours can be addressed by one of the local veterinary emergency hospitals.
  • MedVet (Fairfax): (513) 561-0069, 3964 Red Bank Rd.
  • C.A.R.E. Center (Sharonville/Montgomery): (513) 530-0911, 6995 E. Kemper Rd. 
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories
Photos used under Creative Commons from GemWebb, Sister72, rubyfenn