Thursday, March 19, 2020

Happy Purrsday


Well pals, we hope you and your humans are all healthy. We are and so are da humans.


Just sick of not being able to go and do. As long as they keep us in cat treats . . . 


If your humans are worried about YOU and da coronavirus, here are some good news from our vet:

Coronavirus and Your Pet

There’s been a lot of information in the recent media about the latest strain of human coronavirus, but nothing about pets and how they fit into this picture. In this short article I wanted to briefly discuss coronavirus and pets.

Dogs can become infected with a canine coronavirus. It is fairly species-specific and will not infect people but can infect cats (without causing clinical disease in naturally infected cats.) Most infected dogs do not show symptoms and recover without showing signs of infections; young puppies may exhibit mild diarrhea.

Cats have their own coronavirus that like dogs usually causes an asymptomatic infection or mild diarrhea or respiratory infection (especially in kittens.) However, this coronavirus, for unknown reasons, can mutate in the GI tract and transform into the (usually) lethal feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus (this occurs in about 10% of infected cats.) Again this feline cornonavirus will not infect dogs or people and only infects felids. (A curious note is that cats can become infected with the human SARS coronavirus experimentally and naturally but do not become ill, and the original SARS virus was suspected to have originated from a mongoose.) As with the human coronavirus, canine and feline coronaviruses can survive outside of the pet’s body for a period of time (especially in a colder environment) but are easily killed with most detergents or disinfectants.

So how do dogs and cats fit into the current picture of the human coronavirus?

First, it’s unlikely the pet will become infected and serve as a source of infection for people. 

Second, dogs and cats that develop their own coronaviral diseases will not infect people and contribute to the current spread of the human disease.

Third, by serving as fomites (objects that can carry an infectious organism,) dogs and cats MAY infect other family members IF the currently infected family member gets infected material (saliva, respiratory droplets, etc.) onto the skin or hair of the pet and another uninfected family member contacts the infected material on the pet. To be safe, it may be wise to keep the family pet away from the infected family member of at least have the infected family member bathe and/or wipe the pet’s coat with a wet washcloth before the pet is exposed to uninfected family members.

Finally, keep in mind that maintaining proper blood levels of vitamin D in people and in pets is important in minimizing infectious diseases. If you or your pet have not had recent vitamin D testing and started appropriate supplementation, this is a good wake-up call to do just this.

Shawn Messonnier DVM

30 comments:

  1. Interesting article!

    We are all healthy here, and I know the peeps use a lot of that Vit D stuff, among others...

    Take care, and entertain your peeps and maybe give them a purrfurmance!
    Like a purring chorus;
    Or a meowing trio.

    Happy Spring!!

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  2. My human hasn't been tested for Vitamin D deficiency. She does take it in her calcium supplement, though! (She's at the age where she needs a calcium supplement that has all the supporting vitamins and minerals too, including vitamin D and magnesium.)

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    1. My momma takes a multivitamin. She's tries to get her D from the sun, but the weather has not been cooperating lately.

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  3. My old man and old woman are OK at the moment. She is self-isolating as much as possible but popping out to check on the elderly neighbours (at a safe distance) but he has to go to work or he'd be fired and we'd starve! I need my Dreamies.

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  4. Hey good info! We were told to make sure and take Vit. C supplements but nothing about D. Stay healthy gang!!

    Hugs, Teddy and Mom

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  5. Thanks for sharing that important info! You kitties do look terrific! Y'all be safe and virus free!!!

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  6. We read what your doggie sisters posted. Good advice. I hope you kitties and doggies and your peeps stay healthy!

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  7. Yup, lots of good info coming out from the AVMA about pets not getting or transmitting covid-19. Our concern is that people who are out of work can't afford their pets and surrender them. We hope the animal food pantries stay well stocked and people use them.

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    1. Yeah, the economic downturn is going to hit the poorest people the worst.

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  8. That is very good information. I have heard some people think it can spread from pets and hope this puts their minds at rest.

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  9. We are being careful here and many businesses(like Vets) are doing "safe distance".
    WE worry about people with no work and their pets.
    Purrs,Georgia and Julie

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    1. Yeah, it is going to be really tough for a lot of people.

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  10. Yeah, all is quiet here too. Interesting info on pets and the coronavirus.

    Thank you.

    Tyebe

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  11. Pretty quiet here, except Mom Paula was tested for the virus this week. She needs to get back on her Vitamin D because she's had a deficiency in the past.

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    1. Hoping she feels better - we've been purring for her.

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  12. Very interesting about vitamin D. I assume I am low being that I rarely go out.

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  13. Good info, stay healthy and strong all!

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  14. Good info friends. Glad you are safe. We are too and hope everyone keeps washing hands and staying well

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    1. Yeah, they should be more like cats - we're ALWAYS washing!

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