Coronavirus
I thought I’d share some thoughts about the coronavirus threat that is occupying the news now. I’m not convinced we’ll get accurate information as some deny there is a threat while others may tend to sensationalize the threat.
There are many coronavirus species that are pathogenic to specific species. Dogs have two major ones, an enteric one and a respiratory one. This COVID-19 is not one of these. Your dog has may have been vaccinated against the enteric coronavirus as it is frequently a part of the distemper vaccination.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 is pathogenic to our pets or can be carried by them (except as a fomite – I’ll discuss that later).
I’ve had some epidemiological training and from the information now available the threat is real. This virus is a novel strain, that means that no one in the world population has any immunity. This is a situation ripe for rapid, world wide spread. We have no ability to isolate communities where the virus is currently present and with air travel, it’s just a matter of time before it spreads.
We don’t know enough about this virus now. We do know it can spread from person to person and it is thought that cough and touch are probably the methods of spread.
The major factor that scares me is that it appears you don’t have to be symptomatic to spread the virus. This means that containment will be just about impossible.
Mortality is thought to be about 2 % but we don’t know for sure because China has not been open with statistics.
We don’t need to panic, but some simple precautions are in order. I usually try to use the sanitizing wipes on carts at the grocery, but I don’t every time. Now I will. And I’ll regularly use hand sanitizer.
It’s probably a good idea to avoid large crowds. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid sick people. Use hand sanitizer when handling doors, money or any unknown surface.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. I’m not going to wear a mask, but that is an option if you are sick to avoid spread to others. You should try to stock your medications as much as possible as supply chains of medications could be at risk.
If you start to feel sick and run a fever, contact a doctor and avoid contact with other people or your pets. Sneeze or cough droplets can settle on any surface (your dog or cat) and they can become a physical vehicle for spreading the virus (fomite).
Those of you with more knowledge and training feel free to respond here. If you have questions, please ask.
If you have political comments, go somewhere else.
Doug, DVM
There are many coronavirus species that are pathogenic to specific species. Dogs have two major ones, an enteric one and a respiratory one. This COVID-19 is not one of these. Your dog has may have been vaccinated against the enteric coronavirus as it is frequently a part of the distemper vaccination.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 is pathogenic to our pets or can be carried by them (except as a fomite – I’ll discuss that later).
I’ve had some epidemiological training and from the information now available the threat is real. This virus is a novel strain, that means that no one in the world population has any immunity. This is a situation ripe for rapid, world wide spread. We have no ability to isolate communities where the virus is currently present and with air travel, it’s just a matter of time before it spreads.
We don’t know enough about this virus now. We do know it can spread from person to person and it is thought that cough and touch are probably the methods of spread.
The major factor that scares me is that it appears you don’t have to be symptomatic to spread the virus. This means that containment will be just about impossible.
Mortality is thought to be about 2 % but we don’t know for sure because China has not been open with statistics.
We don’t need to panic, but some simple precautions are in order. I usually try to use the sanitizing wipes on carts at the grocery, but I don’t every time. Now I will. And I’ll regularly use hand sanitizer.
It’s probably a good idea to avoid large crowds. Wash your hands frequently. Avoid sick people. Use hand sanitizer when handling doors, money or any unknown surface.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. I’m not going to wear a mask, but that is an option if you are sick to avoid spread to others. You should try to stock your medications as much as possible as supply chains of medications could be at risk.
If you start to feel sick and run a fever, contact a doctor and avoid contact with other people or your pets. Sneeze or cough droplets can settle on any surface (your dog or cat) and they can become a physical vehicle for spreading the virus (fomite).
Those of you with more knowledge and training feel free to respond here. If you have questions, please ask.
If you have political comments, go somewhere else.
Doug, DVM
