SARS-CoV-2 in a dog: North Carolina

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   by Scott Weese on April 28, 2020

Here’s one for the “not surprising but freaking people out” files.

A dog in the North Carolina (US) has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The dog was in a household with infected people, and was tested as part of a household surveillance study coordinated by researchers at Duke University.

The other dog, cat and lizard in the family tested negative. It’s the first reported infected dog in the US (but probably not actually the first infected dog).

The dog is a pug named Winston.  The owners reported Winston had some mild respiratory signs for a few days; however, such signs aren’t exactly uncommon in pugs so it’s probably hard to be confident that the dog had clinical signs due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (especially since dog’s don’t seem to be particularly susceptible to the virus based on everything we’ve seen – and not seen – so far).

Does this change anything?  No. The same messaging applies:

There’s a chance for human-pet transmission of this virus.
The animal health implications are probably limited.
The human health implications are completely unknown at this point (but are probably quite low in the grand scheme of things).

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Tabitha111 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: January 11 2020 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 11640	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tabitha111 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: SARS-CoV-2 in a dog: North Carolina Posted: April 29 2020 at 11:43am
	by Scott Weese on April 28, 2020 Here’s one for the “not surprising but freaking people out” files. A dog in the North Carolina (US) has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The dog was in a household with infected people, and was tested as part of a household surveillance study coordinated by researchers at Duke University. The other dog, cat and lizard in the family tested negative. It’s the first reported infected dog in the US (but probably not actually the first infected dog). The dog is a pug named Winston. The owners reported Winston had some mild respiratory signs for a few days; however, such signs aren’t exactly uncommon in pugs so it’s probably hard to be confident that the dog had clinical signs due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (especially since dog’s don’t seem to be particularly susceptible to the virus based on everything we’ve seen – and not seen – so far). Does this change anything? No. The same messaging applies: There’s a chance for human-pet transmission of this virus. The animal health implications are probably limited. The human health implications are completely unknown at this point (but are probably quite low in the grand scheme of things).
	'A man who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble right at his door.' --Confucius

mwbab Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List V.I.P. Member Joined: February 15 2012 Status: Offline Points: 480	Post Options Post Reply Quote mwbab Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 30 2020 at 4:55am
	https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/cdc-expands-social-distancing-guidelines-024116275.html CDC Expands on Social Distancing Guidelines to Include Pets After Some Tested Positive for Coronavirus The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its social distancing guidelines to include household pets amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The federal agency recommends that people "treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible infection" by limiting their interaction with humans and animals outside of their household. Pet owners are urged to keep cats indoors when possible and to walk dogs on a leash while maintaining at least six feet apart from other people or animals. The CDC also advises pet owners to refrain from visiting dog parks and other public places where a large number humans and animals gather. In addition, the agency say people who are suspected to have the novel coronavirus or have tested positive for COVID-19 should avoid contact with pets and other animals — including "petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding" — when at all possible. Those who are sick should wear a cloth face covering and wash their hands before and after interacting with their pets, according to CDC. The agency does not recommend that people sick with COVID-19 take their pets to the veterinary clinic themselves.

FluMom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Valued Member Since 2006 Joined: February 03 2020 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 14695	Post Options Post Reply Quote FluMom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 30 2020 at 7:50am
	Well that just killed the business of my dogs playday/boarding company in the neighborhood. As soon as I stayed home my dog did also...she use to go to playday every Friday. She is spoiled...LOL. I feel sorry for the boarding companies they were ready to re-open this will put a big damper on them!