The World Health Organization recently declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, which means this virus is widespread over multiple continents simultaneously. At Washtenaw Veterinary Hospital we are committed to giving your pets the best possible care and this includes providing you with accurate information regarding this virus in relation to companion animals. Please find answers to some frequently asked questions below. We have also included links to credible resources if you would like to learn more. As we work through this global crisis please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have questions that are specifically related to your pet.
COVID-19 is spread from person to person through contact with an infected person’s bodily secretions such as saliva or mucus droplets.
There is no evidence at this time that companion animals play a role in the spread of this disease.
Infectious disease experts agree that there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19.
The veterinary services of the Hong Kong region reported that one dog had tested positive for COVID-19 after close contact with its owners who were sick with the virus. The dog did not show any clinical signs of the disease.
Until more information is known about the virus it is recommended that those infected with COVID-19 limit their contact with companion animals.
Dogs can contract a different strain of coronavirus that causes gastrointestinal symptoms and there is a vaccine available for this disease. However, the canine coronavirus is not related to COVID-19 and there is no cross protection against COVID-19 from the canine coronavirus vaccine. For more information on intestinal coronavirus in dogs please click here.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus website
Michigan.gov Coronavirus website for Michigan specific news and information