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SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 is a virus that primarily affects humans, causing flu-like symptoms in mild cases and severe respiratory distress in serious ones. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
It belongs to a large family of viruses, several of which have been known to cause diseases in animals like dogs, cats, bats, and cattle.
While the incidence of COVID-19 in pets like dogs and cats has been low so far, with only a small percentage of dogs getting infected and displaying symptoms, it is not an impossibility and quite likely in cases where the owner is also infected.
As for whether or not dogs can die from COVID-19 infection, the answer is still up for debate. There have been cases of dogs contracting covid and dying, but the deaths were attributed to other conditions each time, and it is unclear how much of a role COVID-19 played in their deaths.
Although most coronavirus infected dogs remain asymptomatic with no way to determine if they have the virus without getting tested, however, symptoms of COVID-19 in dogs are:
A high fever is a common symptom of Coronavirus in dogs. A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 101 to 102.5 °F. A body temperature above that can indicate fever, and a temperature above 104 °F indicates high fever.
While there can be many reasons for a dog coughing, it can also result from a respiratory tract infection by COVID-19. Therefore, coughing is especially a cause for concern when found alongside other symptoms of COVID-19 dog infection and lasting more than a week.
If your dog displays shortness of breath when it shouldn’t or seems to have difficulty breathing, it can be a symptom of Coronavirus infection.
Signs your dog is having trouble breathing and needs immediate medical attention include:
– Bluish gums and tongue.
– Open mouth breathing.
– Fast and short breaths.
– Abdominal heaving.
A sick dog is a lethargic dog. Lethargy is also one of the most common signs of Coronavirus in dogs. If you notice your dog being unusually lazy or sluggish, there is a good chance it is ill and could be suffering from the Coronavirus.
Occasional sneezing is not a problem in dogs and can even be playful, but excessive and frequent sneezing indicates an underlying issue. Commonly, sneezing could be due to a foreign object being stuck in your dog’s nose; a respiratory infection like COVID-19 can also be the cause.
Nasal discharge from a dog’s nose is usually a pretty harmless condition and most often a result of allergies, but it is also seen in pets infected with COVID-19. Therefore, if your dog has a runny nose in combination with other COVID-19 symptoms, you should consider the possibility of Coronavirus infection.
Eye discharge and pink eye are the new symptoms of COVID-19 in pet animals. If the eye discharge is clear and there are no other symptoms, observe for a couple of days to see if it goes away on its own or contact your vet.
Vomiting is another often observed symptom of COVID-19 in pets. Dogs infected with COVID-19 not only display respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and sneezing but also show symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbance like vomiting.
Like the canine Coronavirus, the COVID-19 infection can also cause diarrhoea and other gastrointestinal problems in dogs. If you notice your dog suddenly suffering from diarrhoea and see no environmental causes, consider the possibility of a COVID-19 infection.
If your pet shows more than one of the symptoms mentioned above, and you think it might be suffering from a COVID-19 infection, do the following:
The first step, whenever you suspect your pet to be suffering from COVID-19, is to contact your vet and follow his/her instructions. Make sure you let your vet know beforehand when visiting in person and follow the proper precautions to avoid the spread of the virus in case of a positive result.
Most known cases of pets getting COVID-19 have been traced back to their owners, so if you suspect your dog is COVID-19 positive, there is a good chance you or other members of your family are too. So get yourself, your dog, and any close family members tested for COVID-19 infection as soon as possible to limit spread and facilitate recovery.
Designate a sick room for your dog and have it stay there, separate from other pets and humans, as long as you are uncertain of the nature of your dog’s illness. Limit contact and outings and set up separate bathroom areas, bedding, bowls, and toys for your sick dog.
Yes, absolutely. Canine Coronavirus infections are rare but not impossible, and most reported cases have been linked back to exposure to a coronavirus-infected human. If you’re COVID-19 positive, avoid contact with your dog to prevent any potential risks to your dog’s health and limit the spread of disease.
You’ve got your answer to ‘can dogs get COVID-19?’, but can they spread it to other animals or humans?
Dogs can transmit COVID-19 to other animals, but no significant evidence points towards animal-to-human transmission. However, you should still take precautions and limit an infected dog’s interaction with other animals and humans.
COVID-19 can worsen the condition of already sick pets and even plays a significant role in their deaths. However, there isn’t enough evidence to conclusively determine the risk of death in dogs due to a COVID-19infection.
Hope this article answers your questions about pets and covid. Stay safe, and comment below to share your experiences with the community.
Pet owners should wash their hands thoroughly before and after handling their pets, and that they should avoid touching their pets’ eyes, nose, and mouth.