It is now known that certain (companion) animals can also become infected with the corona virus COVID-19. However, the role they play in any distribution seems negligible. We list what is now known and how you can protect your pet as well as possible.
Corona in pets in the Netherlands and worldwide
At the time of writing, 1 dog and 3 cats have been diagnosed in the Netherlands. Antibodies have been found in the dog, which means that it has been infected. His owner also had the virus. Antibodies were also found in 3 cats on one of the mink farms where corona was previously detected. It appears that the virus is not widely spread among dogs and cats. There are a few known cases worldwide so far. Like some dogs in Hong Kong and an infected tiger in the American Bronx Zoo.
Advice for handling pets
The advice on dogs and cats remains the same, agriculture minister Carola Schouten said: “If you are ill yourself, avoid contact with your pet. If your dog or cat has any symptoms, go to the vet. ” Cuddling or stroking should also, as previously advised, wait a while if humans or animals are ill. “In all cases, we see that pets do not infect people,” but we do the other way around, says Schouten. Professor Wim van den Poel of Wageningen University, an expert in the field of virus transmission between animals and humans, warns that contamination by a pet cannot be ruled out. It is likely that this is still possible, because the mink virus was still very similar to the human virus. As a result, it could jump back to humans. “We can probably figure this out later, because the virus does change slightly when it passes on to animals. We see these changes when people become infected with them, ”says Van den Poel.
Symptoms in pets
Cats can develop respiratory complaints after being infected with the coronavirus. They can also have stomach and intestinal problems. Young cats in particular appear to become sick after infection. In the Dutch dog, severe breathing problems have occurred. Unfortunately, the vet had to put him to sleep. Incidentally, it is not certain whether the breathing problems were caused by corona. Hamsters and ferrets are also known to become infected and sick with the new coronavirus. It is being investigated whether this also applies to rabbits, reports the RIVM website. Research shows that pigs, chickens and ducks are not susceptible to the new corona virus. As far as is known, other animals such as cows, sheep, goats and horses are probably not, according to RIVM.
This way you protect your pet as well as possible
To minimize the risk of human-to-animal contamination, you can do a few things to protect your animal:
Resistance
By keeping your pet’s resistance optimal, it can better resist any viruses. Therefore get your animal vaccinated in time, is the advice of the Royal Dutch Society for Veterinary Medicine. Unfortunately, there is not yet a vaccination against the coronavirus, but there is against other common animal diseases.
Provide balance
For many pets, too, it has been adjusting to the corona time. People are much more at home and have plenty of time for long bike rides or walks with the dog. However, running too much (especially on asphalt) can lead to wear of the soles of the feet. So be careful with this. Playing too much with your animal, so that it does not relax, can also be stressful. In a cat, for example, this can lead to cystitis. So don’t exaggerate with playing and moving. Also, don’t give your animal too much food or tasty snacks. Being overweight can cause annoying complaints, such as joint wear and diabetes.
Dental care
Healthy teeth contribute to the overall health and resistance of an animal. If your pet smells out of his mouth or seems to have pain complaints, have it checked. In many cases, brushing teeth can have a preventive effect. Feel free to ask your vet about that.
Keep distance
If you have corona symptoms, keep away from your pet, avoid intensive cuddling and, if possible, have a non-sick roommate take care of your pet. However, there is a chance that your pet has already contracted the virus without even noticing it.
Safe to the vet in corona time
If you and nobody around you are sick, but your pet is, it is probably not a corona infection. Pets can be tested for the corona virus. If you suspect your pet has corona, call your vet. Veterinarian Marnix Lamberts gives opposite RTL News the following tip about this: “Report in advance what is going on and what symptoms your animal and you are showing. Then the vet can take the necessary measures, such as a mask, gloves and a face shield. ” The measures may differ per practice. Even if you are only going to pick up food or medication, it is good to be aware. These rules can often also be found on your vet’s website. Minister of Agriculture, Schouten, has requested veterinarians to report suspicions of corona in pets to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
Also read: can it hurt to spoil your dog in corona time?
Dental care in animals.
(Source: KNMVD, Metro, ANP, RTL Nieuws, RIVM)
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