Are Our Furry Friends At Risk?

Many people are taking measures to make sure they are safe from catching the coronavirus. As of late, the concern about catching the virus from pets has arisen.

AMCI is doing its due diligence to provide information about this concerning matter regarding our furry friends. According to Business Insider, a Pomeranian was quarantined because it tested “weak positive” for the coronavirus in Hong Kong. Officials there advised the public not to kiss their pets because of the risk of spreading the virus. However, most experts believe that there is no concern about contracting the coronavirus through your household pet.

Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) suggests that the dog, belonging to a patient who tested positive for the coronavirus, carried the virus through its nose and mouth. The dog reportedly showed no signs of illness.

A logical explanation is that the dog contracted the virus from its owner.

According to the World Health Organization, there’s no reason to panic about pets as possible victims or carriers of the coronavirus since there’s no evidence that they can be infected.

Insider previously reported that the common cold, along with many other types of viruses, can’t spread between people and pets because they have

different cell receptors than humans. The different cell receptors may prevent our pets from catching human-borne infections. Animals have their version of human diseases.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA, in the case of the confined dog in Hong Kong, there is a possibility that there was environmental contamination or even a problem with the test.

According to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, if your pets:

• In House Pets
• Don’t come in contact with other animals

and your family is healthy your pets are unlikely to be at risk.

The best way to keep your pets safe is to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations, receiving at least annual veterinary check ups, and stay on preventatives for heart-worm and fleas and ticks.

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have been no reports of animals infected with the coronavirus in the United States.

According to the AVMA, The biggest concern for veterinarians and other animal health staff is a lack of medical supplies caused by people panic-buying items like masks, gloves, and sanitizer.

In a nut shell, Keep your furry friends safe by keeping them inside and make sure they don’t come in contact with other animals.