Cats are at greater risk of COVID-19 infection than dogs: study – know what the CDC suggests to protect your pets

New Delhi: Having a pet is a responsibility that not everyone is able to handle. It is always advisable to refrain from having pets if one is unwilling to treat them with respect, care and protection. As much as it is necessary to be aware of the impact of the virus on the human body, it is just as essential to know its impact on animals. A recent study at the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, which was presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), showed the susceptibility of animals to catch the COVID-19 virus.

Risk of COVID-19 infection in animals

The study was led by Dr Els Broens and about 156 cats and 154 dogs from 196 households, whose owners had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in the past 2 to 200 days, participated in the study. . For the results, blood tests (to test for antibodies in case of past infection) and PCR tests (to test for current infection) were performed. According to the results of the study, 31 cats and 23 dogs tested positive for antibodies and six cats and seven dogs tested positive for PCR tests. This represents 17.4% and 4.2% respectively.

What does the expert say?

Dr Els Broens, lead author of the study at Utrecht University, said: ‘If you have Covid-19, you should avoid contact with your cat or dog, as you would with others. people. The main concern, however, is not the health of the animals – they had no or mild symptoms of Covid-19 – but the potential risk that pets could act as a reservoir for the virus and reintroduce it into the population. human.

Fortunately, to date, no pet-to-human transmission has been reported. So, despite the rather high prevalence among pets from Covid-19 positive households in this study, there appears to be little pets are likely to play a role in the pandemic, ”she added.

Dorothee Bienzle, professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Guelph in Canada, said: “If someone has Covid-19, there’s a good chance they’ll pass it on to their pet. Cats, especially those who sleep on their owner’s bed, appear to be particularly vulnerable. So if you have Covid-19, my advice is to keep your distance from your pet – and keep them out of your bedroom. ”

Word for pet owners

Here are some guidelines proposed by the CDC that pet owners should keep in mind in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis:

1. Get vaccinated and everyone in the house as soon as possible if you have pets in the house. Avoid allowing your pet to come into direct contact with unvaccinated people outside your home.
2. Stay away from your pet if you test positive for COVID-19. Keep your pets away from people who contract the virus.
3. Make sure your pet eats well and stays in shape. Strengthening the immunity of pets is as important as that of humans.
4. Watch out for symptoms of infection in your pets. Common symptoms can include diarrhea, sneezing, cough, eye discharge, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, lethargy, and vomiting.
5. If you experience symptoms in your pet, immediately isolate him from yourself and people in your home. When feeding and caring for your sick animal, be sure to wear protective gear and be careful not to touch, kiss, or snuggle up against the animal.

Disclaimer: The tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or dietitian before starting a fitness program or making any changes to your diet.