Dear Clients, 

With the rapid spread of both news and COVID-19 disease from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it’s hard to know where to turn for information. Many of you are as concerned about your pets as you are about your human family. We know how you feel! You want the facts to help keep your whole family – furry, feathered, scaly, or human – safe.

What do you need to know?  First off, it’s early days in both the outbreak and in our knowledge of the virus. Recommendations may change as our understanding of the virus and associated disease changes, but for now, it’s good to go back to basics. COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a newly recognized member of the coronavirus family that appears to primarily infect humans.

Other coronaviruses are responsible for things like colds in humans. However, each member of a viral family is as different from each other as you are from your Great-Uncle Louis.

This particular coronavirus is spreading rapidly because humans don’t yet have immunity built up in our populations. This is why staying home as much as possible, disinfecting surfaces, and washing your hands are important to slow the spread of the virus throughout our community.

Can I get SARS-CoV-2 from my dog or cat? No. As of now, there’s no indication that dogs or cats can carry the virus or transmit it to humans. Still, washing your hands after handling or picking up after your pet is always a good idea as there are other organisms such as parasites that can move from pet to person.

Can my dog or cat get SARS-CoV-2 from a person?
Possibly. There has been at least one case where a dog tested positive for the virus after being exposed to an infected human.  However, human-to-pet transmission seems to be quite rare.

Can my veterinarian test my pet for SARS-CoV-2?
Probably not, and it’s probably not necessary.  Right now, in many countries, there aren’t enough resources to test all humans showing symptoms.  If your pet has a cough, a fever, or is otherwise ill, there are many other things that are far more likely to be causing those signs.

My pet has an appointment, needs medication or food.   What should I do?
Just as you are concerned about your family and loved ones, we are concerned about keeping our staff healthy so they can be available to assist our clients and their pets when needed.  Any questions about your pet's health, please call and we will be happy to assist you in resolving your concerns. If you need to pick up medications or food for your pet, please call ahead with your pet's needs and we will get them ready for you to minimize your time at the hospital, or ideally to arrange for them to be mailed to your home.  

If you, or anyone in your household, are running a fever or showing other signs of illness, such as a fever, dry cough or difficulty breathing, please stay home, contact your physician, and take care of yourself. If your pet has an appointment please contact us so we can help you determine the best course of action to take care of your pet's needs.

If you, a family member or recent contact, have traveled overseas within the past two-three weeks please consult with us to see if your pet's appointment can be rescheduled to a future date.  We’d be happy to reschedule your appointment if it can be delayed.  

If your pet is sick and you might be at risk of, or positive for, COVID-19 please let us know ahead of time so we can implement appropriate precautions for our staff and other clients.

Where can I learn more?
This article on Veterinary Partner has compiled a list of frequently updated and reliable resources on COVID-19 as well as the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Veterinary Partner COVID-19 Article

The AVMA has created an informative web page covering general issues COVID-19 as it pertains to humans and pets: 
AVMA COVID-19 Info

The Worms and Germs Blog is providing frequent reports on this issue: 
Worms and Germs Blog

The CDC website is a resource for human-specific info:
CDC COVID-19 Info

And also has a FAQ section specific to pets: 
CDC Coronavirus and Pets FAQ
 
As with so many things in life, exercising common sense and some extra care, plus lots of hand washing and sanitizing, will benefit us all. Please let us know if you have COVID-19 questions specific to your pet. 

Sincerely, 
Your friends at Brooklyn Veterinary Hospital