At this time of concern about the coronavirus, there are two scenarios concerning our dogs, but first we must remember that THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT DOMESTIC ANIMALS TRANSMIT THE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19. They do not get sick from this, nor do they transmit it. There are different types of coronaviruses, and those that our dogs have are not transmitted to humans. They were there before this epidemic and they shouldn’t be a cause for concern. There is only one case in the world of a dog that has tested positive for COVID-19, and it is being studied in Hong Kong, where it is suspected that it is an environmental contamination but they are still testing.
The recommendations presented here are those of the World Health Organization, WHO, and the World Association of Small Animal Veterinarians, WSAVA.
GENERAL MEASURES WITH ANIMALS:
As a general precaution, take general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, fresh produce markets or animal markets
Wash your hands regularly with soap and drinking water after handling animals and animal products; avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, and avoid contact with sick animals or animal products. Strictly avoid all contact with other animals in the market (e.g., stray cats and dogs, rodents, birds, bats). Avoid contact with possibly contaminated animal waste or fluids on the ground or in shop and market structures. (taken literally from WHO recommendations).
GENERAL MEASURES WITH ANIMALS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE IN CODIV-19
Whether the person is in isolation at home or in the hospital, they should not have visitors and cannot take the dog for a walk, so someone will have to take care of it.
Steps to be taken:
If possible, have containers for your own food and drink, not take those from the animal’s home. If you have to, wash them beforehand and wash your hands properly afterwards.
Wash any material that you carry with the dog, leash, collar, muzzle (if any), etc. If possible, use directly material that has not been in contact with the sick person (new feeder, drinker, leash and collar, for example).
Once these measures have been taken, the animal will be treated like any other domestic animal.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching the animal.
Do not put masks on the animals (it is not necessary and it will also be very annoying for the animal).
IF YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR CODIV-19, BUT YOU MUST KEEP THE ANIMAL IN YOUR HOME
DO NOT put masks on your dog. If you have tested positive and the dog lives with you, you should wear one.
Maintain the same measures as with any other person, i.e. keep your distance:
Do not pet it, do not let it lick you, wash your hands before and after touching the animal or when handling its food, wear a mask in the presence of the animal. That is, the same thing you would do to protect anyone who lives with you.
You should make sure that you have two weeks’ worth of food for each animal that you have in case you are going to be in quarantine with the animal in your home, or make sure that whoever is taking care of the animal has access to that food.
It is also essential to have the dog’s medication and/or deworming doses that will be necessary during this period of time.
Leave poo collection bags, documentation and anything else your dogs may need during this time. Everything must be washed before taken by the person who is going to take care of the animals, in case he is going to take them to his own home.
There is no reason to test the dogs for COVID-19, but if for any other reason the animal needs to be taken to the vet, the person who is ill will NEVER do so, and the vet’s office will ALWAYS be called in advance to arrange for the animal’s arrival.
It is very important to be clear that there is no reason to abandon or sacrifice any domestic animal because of COVID-19, it has not been proven that they pose a risk to the human population, but if their owners are isolated for any reason, it is necessary to reach an agreement between friends, family and/or authorities to be able to take care of the animal’s walks, as well as their care and company if they are left alone at home.
Information by WSAVA https://wsava.org/news/highlighted-news/the-new-coronavirus-and-companion-animals-advice-for-wsava-members/
Information by WHO https://www.who.int/es/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/q-a-coronaviruses
canineethology 