Covid-19 and pets

December 2019 : An epidemic of pneumonia breaks out in China: thousands of cases are detected. The responsible virus is a new coronavirus. The disease is quickly exported to other countries by travelers, and the person-to-person spread through close contact is confirmed. 

January 2020 : the World Health Organization (WHO) names the new coronavirus “ 2019-nCoV ” (for “ 2019 novel coronavirus ”) and judges that it officially represents a risk for public health worldwide.     

February 29, 2020 : The first case is diagnosed in Quebec. 

March 13, 2020 : The Quebec government is implementing preventive measures, the schools are all closing. 

March 23, 2020 : Given the increase in the number of cases in Quebec, the Quebec government is imposing the closure of all non-essential services. Veterinary services for pets are recognized as essential a few hours after the official announcement by the Quebec government. 

There are several coronaviruses belonging to the coronaviridae family.

The alpha and beta coronaviruses infect mammals. Gamma and delta coronaviruses infect birds and fish.

Canine coronavirus (mild diarrhea) and feline coronavirus (mild diarrhea) which can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP)) are alpha coronaviruses.

2019-nCoV is a beta coronavirus. This is the 7^th coronavirus that is able to infect humans and cause respiratory illness (with SARS- and TRAIN-SEA CoV). 

There is a lot of ongoing research to better understand the new virus that we are currently facing.

The exact source of the epidemic is still unknown. It all started at the Huanan Market, a seafood and live animal market located in the city of Wuhan in China. 

There is currently no evidence that an animal species is the reservoir of infection. 

Research continues.

The Quebec Veterinary Medical Association (OMVQ) asked all its members to postpone any non-emergency appointment or elective intervention (vaccination, sterilization) until later. 

Hygiene measures have been implemented in most veterinary establishments in Quebec to minimize the risk of spreading the virus (social distancing). 

Since these measures are intended to protect the health and safety of the population and members of veterinary teams, the profession relies on the understanding of animal owners when faced with these exceptional measures.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, some animals have contracted the coronavirus after being in close contact with infected humans. Fortunately, these cases are extremely rare. 

In addition, no case of humans having contracted the virus from an infected animal has been reported yet.

To minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission between humans and animals, please apply the same precautionary measures with animals and other humans:

• Avoid contacts between your animals and humans outside your home, unless it is absolutely necessary (eg urgent consultation with the veterinarian);
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow, especially when a person or animal is near you;
• Avoid petting animals that do not live with you;
• If you are infected with the coronavirus or have been in contact with an infected person, do not handle any animal whatsoever. The best thing for your animals would be for you to have them live with a trusted person until you have cleared the virus from your system;
• If your pets develop Covid19 symptoms after being in contact with an infected person, limit their contact with others and communicate with the veterinarian for further advice.
• Apply basic hygiene measures : 
  • Wash your hands before and after touching animals, their food or their personal items. 
  • Do not kiss animals.
  • Don't let them lick you.
  • Do not share food with them.

Canine coronavirus vaccines are available in some countries, but are intended to protect dogs from intestinal coronavirus.

Existing vaccines are not licensed for respiratory coronavirus.

There is no evidence that vaccinating dogs with intestinal coronavirus vaccines will provide cross-protection against 2019-nCoV infection because the digestive and respiratory coronavirus viruses are very different.

No vaccine targeting 2019-nCoV is currently available anywhere in the world, neither for dogs, nor for cats, nor for humans.

April 8^th 2020