As you may know, in order to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State is on PAUSE.
COVID-19
This means non-essential businesses are closed and gatherings of any size for any reason are canceled. All New Yorkers are directed to practice social distancing — by staying home and keeping six feet of space from others when in public.
Veterinary hospitals are allowed to do emergency work and certain other medical procedures. Please call us to see if we are able to schedule an exam for your pet. In light of this law, and to help keep our staff and you safe, we are only doing curbside drop off and medicine/food pickups. No clients are allowed into the hospital for any reason. Please call us from the parking lot when you are here. We are truly sorry for the disruption in normal procedures.
Thank you for your understanding.
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, so be sure to check with us and/or monitor the shared sources at the bottom of this newsletter regularly for new information. We do know that 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.
Photo of dog’s tail and rear paws sticking out from stack of blankets Can I get SARS-CoV-2 from my dog or cat?
As of now, there’s little indication that dogs or cats are likely to carry or transmit the virus to humans; however there is the rare chance this can happen. The biggest concern right now is pets acting as fomites — a virus-contaminated surface. So, for now, avoid snuggling your pets with your face and as always, wash your hands after handling or picking up after your pet.
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, but I’m not feeling well.
If you or anyone in your household is running a fever or showing other signs of illness, please stay home and take care of yourself. We’d be happy to reschedule your appointment.
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 Nanuet Animal Hospital
