Forum Topic

Poor puss.

Article in the 'i' today that there are reports that a cat in Belgium has contracted Covid-19 from its owner. The puss is recovering and they think it is an isolated case. Two dogs reported as having it in Hong Kong but no symptoms. Transfer was from human TO animal and the risk considered small. Advice is that if you have Covid-19 yourself your pet should be kept outside, there is absolutely no need to abandon pets.Only hope we all stay alright as I don't know who would break the news to the Princess we all serve that she will have to leave her sofa, she would be very, very peeved I can tell you!

Vanessa Smith ● 2412d5 Comments

Not sure who or what to believe. "Dr. Niels Pedersen, a distinguished emeritus professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a renowned expert on infectious and immunologic diseases in dogs and cats, addresses the question, "Can pets contract coronavirus from humans or vice versa?". The simple answer is as follows: No, you won’t get or give the coronavirus to your family pet. Coronaviruses occur in virtually every species of animal, including humans, and are commonly associated with unapparent or transient intestinal and respiratory infections. They tend to be very species specific and cross-species transmission is uncommon".

Brian Coyle ● 2412d

I would believe Pedersen.  I have followed him and the Winn Feline Foundation for very many years as I have been terrified about the effects of certain types of coronavirus in cats having lost a gorgeous little rescue kitten to the cat variety when it mutated as it can into feline infectious peritonitis and he is one of the world's foremost experts in animal viruses.

Claire Moran ● 2412d

Are we seriously supposed to believe that the cat and dogs were tested? April Fool's Day has come early this year.

Susan Kelly ● 2412d

Susan, there is a lot of interest in it crossing between species.  It almost certainly came about as a result of the Chinese eating wild animals sold in a Chinese (Wuhan) 'wet' market.  People are getting rid of their pet particularly in Asia - indeed in some areas they are being told to kill them - as they are worried about animals infecting people.  They are not worried, of course about the other way round unless those animals go on to infect other people.

Claire Moran ● 2412d

The report I saw came from a virologist Prof. Steve van Gucht- they found the virus in the cat's faeces but it had had breathing difficulties among other symptoms, but has since recovered.

Vanessa Smith ● 2412d