04/08/2020
The Dog, The Cat and The Tiger!!
We have received a number of calls and emails that indicate to us that some of you and maybe many of you could be looking at your pet and feeling fear. You may be having questions regarding your pets' safety and the safety of your family as well. Well, fear not! Rest assured, there is much more evidence that proves our pets are safe from contracting the virus.
For example, IDEXX Reference Laboratories has reviewed over 5,000 specimens submitted for respiratory tests of sick cats and dogs in 17 different countries. To date, IDEXX has seen no positive results in pets of SAR-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) respiratory outbreak in humans.
Now, we understand that the concern is two-fold. On one hand, concern for your pet contracting the virus and the other, your pet transmitting the virus to you and your family. We have seen the news reporting the Hong Kong dogs, Belgian cat and Tigers in New York and understand where your questions and concerns come from. We, too were concerned and turned to our trusted sources of information to determine what we need to do to protect you, our patients, ourselves and our own pets!
IDEXX provided veterinarians with the following information,
This information (5,000 evaluated specimens) together with isolated reports of two dogs and a cat in Hong Kong, a cat in Belgium and now a tiger at a New York zoo showing positive results for SARS-CoV-2 testing indicates there may be varying levels of susceptibility requiring further investigation. As the research continues into the isolated positive test results in pets, we are learning that cats and ferrets may have a higher susceptibility to low level infections than dogs. With this collected body of evidence, leading veterinary and public experts continue to reassure pet owners there is low likelihood of pet infection and even lower likelihood of our pets serving as a source of infection. In symptomatic patients, it is more likely that disease is caused by more common infections than COVID-19. We learn more every day, and if we deem it clinically important to commercialize our IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR Test, we will make it available for veterinarians and their patients.
In short, we don't feel your pets are at risk of contracting the virus from you or a risk of transmitting the virus to you. As always, practice the recommended precautions. Wash your hands. Don't touch your face. Avoid heavily trafficed public places. Keep your pets clean and stay at home as much as possible. It is easy to get caught up in fear. We want to assure you that you are safe with your pets and your pets are safe with you.
We are here for you.
