What
are the symptoms of Coronavirus in dogs?
You’ve
likely heard about Coronavirus by now. It can be more than a little scary when
a virus like this seems to spread so quickly, but as dog lovers, many of us
immediately turn our thoughts to our pups at times like these. Especially if
you’re familiar with the phrase, “Canine Coronavirus.”
“Can my dog
get Coronavirus?” Or worse, “Can I give my dog Coronavirus?”
First and foremost: don’t panic.
What is
Coronavirus?
Though
people are largely referring to the current illness at just “Coronavirus,” the
term actually applies to a family of viruses that look similar to a “crown”
when viewed under an electron microscope, called Coronaviridae. The current
strain, which was first observed in December, is being called 2019-CoV. Other
strains you may have heard of include SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Both of which
caused a similar fuss, but have since settled down.
2019-CoV is
thought to have originated at a wet market in Wuhan, China, through the
consumption of snakes that were infected with the virus. As of today, there are
over 2,500 confirmed cases in China, but only 56 infected people in other
countries, including 5 in the United States – all of whom appear to have
visited Wuhan, China recently.
Can
animals get Coronavirus?
Yes. The
current strain is actually being linked to snakes sold at market. In this case,
it appears that animals carrying the virus were able to pass it to a human host
through the consumption of its meat. (This is still being investigated by the
Center for Disease Control.)
Can my
dog get Coronavirus?
There is
Canine Coronavirus Disease – however, it does not seem to be linked to this
strain.
Canine
Coronavirus gets its name from the same characteristic that human viruses get
theirs – a round, crown-like appearance when viewed under an electron
microscope. Most cases are caused by dogs eating poop that carries the virus.
Another reason to keep his mouth away from any piles he might find.
What are
the symptoms of Coronavirus in dogs?
Coronavirus
doesn’t often cause symptoms in dogs, but on the few occasions that it does,
you may notice a sudden onset of diarrhea, along with lethargy and poor
appetite. Your dog’s diarrhea may contain blood or mucus, and if the infection
occurs while your dog is suffering from another disease, like Parvovirus, it
will cause it to become more severe.
Of course,
these symptoms could point to a number of other issues, so be certain to see
your vet.
Can I get
Coronavirus from my dog?
At this
point, there have been no reported cases of 2019-CoV in dogs.
Previous
strains of Coronavirus were traced back to human-animal contact. SARS-CoV
appears to have been caused via contact with civet cats, and MERS from
dromedary camels. 2019-CoV is thought to have first been transferred to humans
through snakes that were sold at a market in Wuhan. After infecting the human
host, the virus causes respiratory issues and is spread from human-to-human,
often through the air, via a sneeze or cough.
Can I
give my dog Coronavirus?
If you
believe that you may be infected, you should immediately contact your doctor,
and let them know you suspect that you may be infected before going to see
them, so they can take precautions. See more about preventing the spread of
Coronavirus at CDC.gov.
Previous
strains of Coronavirus show that mammals, like camels and civet cats CAN get
Coronavirus and infect humans. However, there doesn’t appear to be any cases of
humans carrying Coronavirus infecting their pets.
Good hygiene
practices should always be your first defense – wash your hands regularly,
cover your mouth when you sneeze. For your dog – try to keep him from eating
poop, pick up after him immediately when he does his business, and bathe him
regularly.