Pets and Corona: What you need to know about infection and quarantine

According to initial observations, pets can also become infected with the novel corona virus. However, experts see no reason for concern. You can find out what you should know about corona infections in pets from us.

Not only humans can become infected with the corona virus. Animals, including popular pets such as dogs and cats, can also contract the virus. In the past, people have already taken serious consequences due to the danger posed to animals by Corona: The government in Denmark triggered a scandal when it ordered the mass killing of around 15 million mink.

However, the German Animal Welfare Association announced in a press release that pets only bring the coronavirus in in a few cases, but are instead infected by their owners. So it is relatively unlikely to get infected with the virus through your own pet. There are only isolated cases worldwide and these are most likely due to human infection. Most animals would also show no or only mild symptoms and could be well cared for medically.

Corona virus in dogs and cats: what should owners know?

As the German Animal Protection Association further announces, dogs hardly play a role in the infection process. At least not with SARS-Cov-2, but with other corona viruses: For example, dogs could contract corona viruses that cause breathing problems or gastrointestinal symptoms. As Die Zeit writes, only four proven SARS-Cov-2 infections in dogs are known throughout Germany. In terms of symptoms, dogs can show similar symptoms to humans – including fever, cough or runny nose.

Cats, on the other hand, can, as studies report, contract Sars-Cov-2 and pass the virus on to other cats. Cats can also be infected by humans, but the reverse transmission path from animal to human has not yet been proven. Cats also contract the so-called Feline Coronavirus (FCoV), which is mainly noticeable through diarrhea. Only in rare cases do the kittens suffer a severe course when the virus mutates and causes serious peritonitis. Nevertheless, cats that carry the virus are contagious even with mild symptoms and could endanger other cats. Therefore, certain precautionary measures should be observed with the infected fur noses: FCoV-positive cats should not have any other cats living in the household or only those who also carry the virus. In addition, the infected cats must not be allowed to go outside and should be examined regularly by the veterinarian.

Important to know: There is currently no vaccine against Sars-Cov-2 approved for pets. However, you reduce the already low risk that your dog or cat will contract Corona with your own vaccination against Sars-Cov-2.

Corona and small animals: What applies to rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs?

Tests on susceptibility to disease revealed that hamsters or rabbits can also become infected with Sars-Cov-2. According to the current status, guinea pigs do not seem to be susceptible to disease, as the World Animal Protection Agency has announced.

tip: If you are infected with the coronavirus, you should avoid close contact with your pets. Instead, hire other non-infected household members to look after your pets while you are in isolation.

What to do if your own pet is ill with Corona?

If your pet is proven to be infected with the coronavirus, you should take certain precautions:

• Are you yourself infected with the corona virus?, you should go into isolation. Even if you are “only” a contact person, you may have to go into quarantine. The duration of the isolation depends on your current vaccination status and the risk contact. You should coordinate this with the health department and find out about the current regulations.
• Take care of your pet in case of quarantine. You must also ensure trustworthy care for your dog during the period of isolation. Since the four-legged roommate still needs leave, you should ask family members, neighbors or friends for support. Ideally, you should ask someone who has experience with animals or who is familiar with your pet. As a pet owner, you should also stock up on food that lasts for a few days to a week.
• If you have a cat and are infected with Corona yourself, you should take care of the animal during quarantine better no release grant.
• Also, be careful when dealing with your pet hygiene rules. You should wash your hands thoroughly and sneeze or cough into the crook of your arm or a clean cloth before and after handling your pet. You should also avoid letting your dog lick your face or hand. To protect your animals from infection, you can also wear a mouth and nose cover.

Important: If your pet is infected with the corona virus, you must report it. This is important because it will help to better understand the role of animals as possible vectors in the future. However, there is no obligation to inspect. If your infected animal becomes seriously ill, it should still be shown to a veterinarian. In this case, also ask non-infected family members, neighbors or friends to take your pet to the veterinarian.

Can pets get omicron?

A new mutation of Sars-Cov-2 has been on the rise in Germany since the end of 2021: omicron. It is not yet known whether pets can also become infected with this more contagious variant. Because the infections in humans do not automatically allow a conclusion to be drawn as to how and to what extent animals can become infected. However, there are the first possible theories about omicron and the infectivity in animals: Based on a previously unpublished study, some researchers suspect that omicron can bind particularly well to the endogenous receptors of rats or mice.

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