Coronavirus & Pets: What you need to know - NBC2 News
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Tuesday, March 3rd 2020, 5:30 PM EST by
Tuesday, March 3rd 2020, 6:25 PM EST
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Mya Williams has a hard time keeping up with her dog Mia, who’s just 7 months old and loves to run.
“She’s a ball of energy,” Williams joked Tuesday morning while walking Mia at Buckingham Park in Fort Myers.
The health of Williams’ family -- and their dog -- is important to her. That’s why she keeps a close eye on the latest Coronavirus news.
“She goes for her vet visits and her check ups,” Williams said of Mia. “She’s monitored to make sure that she’s healthy, that she’s not carrying anything that’s contagious.”
Just days ago, a COVID-19 patient's dog in Hong Kong tested ‘weak positive’ for the virus, raising questions about the health of animals amid the outbreak.
“At this point, there’s certainly no reason for pet owners to be in a panic,” veterinarian Dr. Laura Braun told NBC2 Tuesday.
Braun is the medical director at VCA Coral Animal Hospital in Fort Myers.
“It’s not established whether the dog (in Hong Kong) truly has the virus, or was just picked up on a swab of the dog’s nose,” Dr. Braun explained.
Dogs and cats have gotten Coronavirus before, Dr. Braun said, but not the current strain that’s causing concern around the world.
“If you type into Google, ‘Can dogs get Coronavirus?’ The answer is going to be yes. Because they can,” Dr. Braun said. “But it’s just typically a very weak gastrointestinal virus.”
As tests continue on the dog in Hong Kong, the CDC says there’s no evidence -- right now -- that pets can become infected with or spread the COVID-19 version of the virus.
Still, Dr. Braun said pet owners should monitor the situation closely.
"Things like this are instantly evolving,” she explained. “As more information comes out, your veterinarians are going to be your best source of information.“
In general, there are some guidelines you should follow when it comes to your pets.
“Whenever we have someone sick, whether it’s a person or a pet, it is best to avoid that really close contact,” Dr. Braun explained. “There are parasites that can be spread from pets to people.”
Mya Williams said that's something she taught her children, regardless of whether their pets are sick.
"(Pets) should never kiss you in the face. They should never be nose-to-nose, anywhere near the mucus membranes -- the eyes, the nose, the mouth. Nowhere near,” Williams said.
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