What to Do if Your Pet Tests Positive for the Virus that Causes COVID-19

What you will need to know

  • If your pet checks beneficial for the virus that causes COVID-19, isolate the pet from everyone else, which includes other animals.
  • Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, liquor, hydrogen peroxide, or any other merchandise not authorized for animal use.
  • Only a number of animals have been confirmed to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Some animals did not clearly show any signs of disease, but those animals that did get sick all experienced delicate condition that could be taken care of at home. None have died from the an infection.
  • If you feel your pet has COVID-19, contact a veterinarian very first to examine what you really should do.
  • Animals with confirmed an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 really should be restricted to isolation in the home until a veterinarian or public well being official has determined that they can be all-around other animals and people.

We are still discovering about how the virus that causes COVID-19 can have an affect on animals.  A smaller quantity of animals (cats and puppies) have been confirmed to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, typically immediately after shut get hold of with a man or woman with COVID-19. Some animals did not clearly show any signs of disease, but those animals that did get sick all experienced delicate condition that could be taken care of at home. None of the animals have died. Assessments for COVID-19 in animals are obtainable for most styles of animals, but screening is only suggested for animals with COVID-19 symptoms and that have been exposed to a man or woman with COVID-19.

Dependent on the limited information obtainable now, the possibility of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is deemed to be lower. There is no rationale to abandon or surrender animals that have been confirmed beneficial for the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you are sick with COVID-19, do not choose your pet to the veterinary clinic you.  Contact your veterinarian very first and tell them you are sick with COVID-19. Some veterinarians may possibly provide telemedicine consultations or other options for looking at sick animals.  Your veterinarian can appraise your pet and make a decision the suitable ways for your pet’s care.

If your pet is tested for COVID-19 and is confirmed to be infected

Based on how sick your pet is, your veterinarian may possibly suggest that your pet be isolated at home, instead of remaining in the hospital.  Some animals did not clearly show any signs of disease, but those animals that did get sick all experienced delicate condition that could be taken care of at home.

If your veterinarian suggests home isolation and you are able to care for your pet at home, comply with this suggestions to protect you and other individuals.

What to do if your pet receives sick

  • Retain your pet at home, other than to get health care care
    • Converse with your veterinarian consistently. Contact before you choose your pet to the veterinary clinic. Be certain to notify your veterinarian if your pet has problems respiration, or if you feel it is an crisis.
    • Although most animals surface to clearly show only delicate signs and symptoms or no signs and symptoms, we are still discovering about how they are afflicted by the virus. Even if your pet seems to be feeling far better, steer clear of the following actions until your veterinarian establishes that it is protected for your pet to do so or your pet has met the direction to end their isolation:
      • Visits to veterinary hospitals, with no calling the veterinarian very first
      • Visits to human health care facilities or schools
      • Visits to parks (which includes puppy parks), markets, or other gatherings this sort of as festivals
      • Visits to the groomer, which includes cellular grooming salons
      • Visits to pet daycares or boarding facilities
      • Other outings this sort of as playdates, hikes, or viewing other residences, with or with no animals
      • Applying puppy walkers or pet-sitters that reside exterior your home

Independent your pet from other people and animals in your home

  • Steer clear of get hold of with the pet as substantially as probable, which includes, petting, snuggling, becoming kissed or licked, and sharing foods or bedding.
  • If probable, provide a individual litterbox or bathroom spot from other animals.

Canines: If you have a non-public backyard the place your puppy can go to the bathroom, do not choose them for walks. If you will have to wander your puppy, restrict it to bathroom breaks only, keep shut to your home, and continue to keep your pet at minimum six toes absent from other animals and people. Do not allow other people contact or interact with your puppy.

CATS: Cats really should be stored inside. Do not allow for cats that have tested beneficial for the virus that causes COVID-19 to roam exterior.

Cleaning UP: There is no evidence to advise that waste from infected animals requires any extra disinfection. Use gloves when cleaning up immediately after your pet, and position fecal materials or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before disposing. Usually clean your fingers with soap and water immediately immediately after cleaning up immediately after your pet.

  • Give bedding, bowls or containers, treats, and toys that are individual from those made use of by other people or animals in the house.
    • Disinfect bowls, toys, and other animal care objects with an EPA-registered disinfectantexternal icon
    • Comfortable objects like towels, blankets, and other bedding, can be properly laundered and reused. Dirty laundry that has been in get hold of with an ill animal can be washed with other objects.

Keep an eye on your pet’s signs and symptoms

It is vital to continue to keep keep track of of your pet’s signs and symptoms in the course of home isolation. If you feel your pet has new signs and symptoms or is getting even worse, contact your veterinarian.

Animals sick with COVID-19 may possibly have:

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Trouble respiration or shortness of breath
  • Lethargy (strange laziness or sluggish)
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Eye discharge
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Stick to all care guidance from your veterinarian.  Your veterinarian may possibly have you continue to keep a created log of your pet’s signs and symptoms.

If your pet develops new signs and symptoms or appears to be getting even worse, which includes problems respiration, you really should contact your veterinarian appropriate absent.  Your veterinarian may possibly be able to suggest you around the mobile phone or may possibly tell you to convey your pet to their clinic or go to yet another clinic that can far better care for your pet.

Shield you when caring for a sick pet

  • Stick to related suggested precautions as for people caring for an infected man or woman at home.
  • If you are at greater possibility for intense disease from COVID-19, yet another house member really should care for the pet, if probable.
  • Folks really should put on a mask and gloves  in the exact same area or spot as the sick pet.
    • Animals really should not put on a mask. Do not attempt to place a mask on your pet.
  • Use gloves when dealing with the pet’s dishes, toys, or bedding and when selecting up feces (poop). Throw out gloves and position waste materials or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before throwing absent in a trashcan lined with a trash bag. Usually clean your fingers with soap and water immediately immediately after cleaning up immediately after your pet.
  • Clean up your fingers consistently all through the day.
    • Clean fingers: Clean your fingers generally with soap and water for at minimum 20 seconds each  Make certain everyone in the home does the exact same, especially immediately after touching the sick pet or dealing with their dishes, toys, or bedding.
    • Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not quickly obtainable, use a hand sanitizer that is made up of at minimum sixty% liquor.  Include all surfaces of your fingers and rub them jointly until they come to feel dry.
    • Do not contact your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed fingers.
  • Clean up and then disinfect:
    • Stick to cleaning and disinfecting tips identified on CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Residence
    • Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, liquor, hydrogen peroxide, or other merchandise not supposed or authorized for use on animals. There is no evidence that viruses, which includes the virus that causes COVID-19, can distribute to people or other animals from the skin, fur, or hair of animals.  Applying chemical disinfectants on your pet could make them extremely sick or kill them.

When it is protected for your pet to be all-around other individuals: ending home isolation

Stick to your veterinarian’s advice for when it is protected for your pet to be all-around other people and animals. Some animals may possibly will need comply with-up screening to see if they are still beneficial for the virus that causes COVID-19. Checking, isolation, and motion limits can end for beneficial animals if:

  • The animal has not shown clinical signs steady with SARS-CoV-2 an infection for at minimum 72 hrs with no health care administration

AND one of the following circumstances:

  • It has been at minimum 14 times considering the fact that their past beneficial take a look at from a lab that utilizes a validated SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR diagnostic assay

OR

  • All sample styles gathered at comply with-up are unfavorable by a validated SARS-CoV-2 RT PCR diagnostic assay.