Some experts have been calling for cats and dogs to receive the vaccine for over a year.
So can our furry friends contract the disease, and what are the symptoms to look out for?
Here is all you need to know.
Can pets catch Covid?
Dogs
Research suggests that Covid-19 is possible in cats and dogs whose owners have the disease.
In the June 2021 study, Utrecht University found that out of 310 swabs they took of pets from households with Covid-19, 4.2% tested positive for the virus. However, the Dutch researchers assured that most pets are asymptomatic, or have very mild symptoms. My Family Vets told Metro.co.uk that symptoms of Covid-19 in dogs can include:Buy a Kiddie Pool For Your to Keep Your Dog Busy. Does your dog enjoy the water? Keep your dog cool in the summer by using a plastic kiddie pool out in the yard. They’re inexpensive, too. I got ours for about 4 bucks at my local Meijer.
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nasal discharge
Cats
Be Diligent about Vet Visits. “Don’t wait for the signs,” Dr. Becker stresses. Focus on “prevention first.” Pets age fast, and when it comes to illness they are programmed to mask weakness, “they’re naturally secretive.” One to two visits a year is ideal, but if you suspect a problem, don’t hesitate, and don’t self-diagnose. “In the last two years I’ve seen four or five cases where people went to the internet for help, and by the time they get to the vet it’s too late,” says Dr. Becker.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potential signs of Covid-19 in cats include:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Lack of energy
- Runny nose
- Discharge from the eyes
- Diarrhea or vomiting
Hamsters
It looks like these teeny tiny rodents can indeed contract the disease.
In January, Hong Kong ordered a mass cull of 2,000 hamsters that were exposed to the virus.Hundreds of samples were collected from animals at a pet shop that had an outbreak, including rabbits and chinchillas, but interestingly only the hamsters had traces of Covid-19.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Stray dogs in Russia have learned how to ride the complex subway system, and get off at specific stops in search of food.
There has not been enough research into hamster coronavirus to find common symptoms, but likely you should look for a high temperature and lethargy.
A study found that Roborobski Dwarf hamsters can actually die from Covid-19, whereas Syrian hamsters were less vulnerable to developing severe cases.Ferrets
It turns out that yes, ferrets can very well get Covid-19. In facts, all members of the mustelinae family are suseptable to the disease.
Vet Help Direct lists ferret Covid-19 symptoms as the following:laidback pet breeds
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Mild respiratory and digestive disease
Isolation means you should prevent contact between your ferret and ferrets or people from other households.
What other animals can get Covid?
According to the government website, there is evidence that the following species can catch Covid-19:
- Big cats in captivity
- Domestic cats
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Fruit bats
- Mink
- Non-human primates
- Pangolins
- Pigs
- Raccoon dogs
- Rodents
- White-tailed deer
Can pets pass Covid on to humans?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has assured that the risk of animals spreading Covid-19 to people is low.Why do they do that? When dogs kick after going to the bathroom, they are using the scent glands on their paws to further mark their territory.
The UK government’s advice for pet owners includes:
- Washing your hands before and after any contact with your pet, its food or bedding – avoid hand sanitisers or wipes that may be harmful to animals
- Not sharing food, food bowls or utensils with your pet
How to test a pet for Covid
There are different tests specific for animals available, including the FASTest Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) Strip, a rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of Canine Coronavirus Antigen in dog faeces.The government advises anyone concerned about a pet because of respiratory or digestive problems and a temperature to contact a vet who will decide if it needs to be tested.
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