Till now, the medical opinion has been that your pet animals cannot catch Coronavirus, much less infect others by spreading it. However, things have changed now that we have new evidence.
A cat in Belgium is the first cat in the world to catch Coronavirus, and it is strongly suspected that she caught it from her human who is infected for a week.
Although, doctors have insisted that human-to-animal transmission of virus is rare, but now the cases have started appearing and the implications cannot be ignored anymore.
Cat had difficulty in breathing, and diarrhea
A cat in Belgium has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first known feline to contract the infectious disease. The sick pet in Liège tested positive after showing symptoms typical of COVID-19 https://t.co/NWkTvQCKFF
— Alfons López Tena ? (@alfonslopeztena) March 28, 2020
Local newspaper Brussels Times has reported that the cat started showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 – difficulty in breathing and diarrhea. After which the cat was examined, and the novel coronavirus was found in her feces.
The human owner of the cat was already infected a week ago, and they have been still spending time with the cat – thinking that the cat can’t catch the virus.
According to the Belgian virologist Steven Van Gucht:
Recently, the veterinary medicine faculty in Liège reported that a coronavirus infection has been determined in a cat. The cat lived with her owner, who started showing symptoms of the virus a week before the cat did.
Two dogs were infected in Hong Kong, one of which died
Two dogs were earlier infected in Hong Kong, one of which – a 17-year old Pomeranian – had died while he was going home form quarantine. Another dog who survived had shown only a “weakly positive” infection – meaning that he probably had the virus only in his nose and fur – rather than in his lower respiratory system such as lungs.
Even in animals, it affects the elderly and already weakened animals.
All mammals are at risk of catching the infection, not just humans
Doctors have warned that pet owners and veterinary doctors should be watching cats, dogs, ferrets, and other mammals for signs of coronavirus infection.
Here’s the correct way to behave with your pets during the quarantine
Also, the people who have any signs of infection should stay away from their animals. Although, they should find someone else to take care of their pets, and not just abandon them.
But most importantly, people are advised against rubbing their noses on the pets, or having any mouth-to-mouth contact with their pets as many people like to do.
Always wash your hands before and after interacting with pets. Wash the bowls, beds, and toys of your animals regularly. Wear a face mask around your pets.
Wash your animals with soap or shampoo each time they come in from outside.
Cats and dogs are catching the infection, but can they spread it?
Other scientists have reinforced the fact that pet animals such as cats and dogs are “dead-end” hosts for the virus. Which means that once the virus gets inside these animals – it cannot spread further. Cats and dogs do not release enough of the virus through their cough or sneeze or feces – that could pass on the deadly infection.
Featured Image Courtesy: Brussels Times
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