After Russia was the first country to have a vaccine against the new Coronavirus for humans last week approved, Russian scientists are now developing a drug that will also protect domestic cats from the pathogen. The Russians are developing the vaccine mainly for mink. As in the Netherlands, there have been several outbreaks on fur farms.
But the Russian veterinary agency Rosselkhoznadzor is convinced that pets will benefit from the vaccine. There are examples worldwide that dogs and cats contracted the disease. Since they resemble mink physically, the drug will also work in these animals strike, the Russians hope.
There are about a hundred mink farms in Russia. In that country there is no stigma on wearing fur, as in the Netherlands. However, if in demand, the vaccine will also be available in animal hospitals.
The vaccine will be universally applicable to all animals susceptible to the disease, the head of the zoological authority explained. For now, however, it is necessary to conduct the necessary safety studies to verify its effectiveness guarantee.
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