The Cornoavirus epidemic is a very fluid and quickly evolving problem. We have received questions from some of our clients and will try to address some of your concerns below. Please keep in mind that new information is available almost daily. I’ll include links to sites with trusted information below.
A common question is – can you catch the coronavirus from your pet or vise versa?
Based on information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that dogs and cats can acquire the virus. The Coronavirus family has been around for years and are species-specific viruses.
This virus is considered two to three times more contagious than other flu viruses because it lives in the air for 3 hours and possibly on surfaces for as long as 3 days depending on the surface. According to the news today – the virus can last:
- 3 hours in the air – aerosol droplets
- 4 hours on copper
- 24 hours on cardboard
- 2 to 3 days on stainless steel
10 important recommendations based on information from the CDC and WHO is:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing, or having contact with people
- Use hand sanitizer with 65% to 95% alcohol
- Use a tissue or paper towel to open doors or on doorknobs
- Cover your mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing
- Don’t touch your eyes, mouth, nose, or face with unwashed hands
- Don’t travel unless absolutely necessary
- Avoid gatherings with lots of people. If you can’t, maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from others if possible,
- Limit shaking hands with anyone
- Keep tissues, hand sanitizer in your car, purse, home
- If you feel sick, have a cough, fever or shortness of breath, call your doctor
If you are sick and with your dog or cat, consider that if you sneeze or cough, those droplets could land on your dog or cat. If someone else pets your dog and there is the virus on them, they could potentially get the virus. This is the same as if you were to touch a coffee mug and shed virus on it and someone else pick up your cup.
If you are symptomatic, you may want to isolate your pet with you or away from you to minimize the change that any virus on your pets coat could infect others. Don’t allow your pet to lick you.
To keep up to date with the most current information, go to:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
We hope you stay safe and infection free. If you have further questions, please contact us at 740-587-1129.
