Ease worries about pets getting COVID

With the massive outbreak of omicron cases, is it time to be more vigilant with our dogs or other pets? My husband and I are in day five of quarantine after testing positive with mild clinical signs, despite being vaccinated. We have both coughed some but had no fever or any other signs. Our dog is around us at home all the time and has not exhibited any signs of illness. He is a small mixed breed dog who is 11 years old. If he were to get ill, how would we know what to do and if he actually had omicron? We have been careful to take him outside wearing masks and avoided interacting with others besides Zoom calls. Apparently, pets do not get COVID, and if they do, only exhibit mild clinical signs but I am not sure what those are. Looking forward to getting outside tomorrow following guidelines that always seem to be changing.

I’m sorry to hear that you both came down with COVID, despite being vaccinated, but glad that you’re recovering well and that your dog is healthy. There have been very few cited cases of pets having COVID. While coronaviruses have been around in dogs for years, as well as in other species, they are different than what we have experienced with the pandemic. You are correct in that dogs and pets do not get COVID or spread it. I do believe though that if you were to cough into your hand and pet your dog without hand washing and then another person was to quickly pet your dog that there might be some transmissibility. That’s conjecture on my part but seems logical. There is so much misinformation and changing information, even by the government, that we are all in a quandary.

There have been vaccines given to zoo animals at high risk, there is a test for COVID in pets, but it has had limited use, but should your dog get sick, the wisest course would be to see your veterinarian and let them evaluate and pursue whatever options they deem appropriate. The clinical signs can include fever, cough, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and just about everything you can think of associated with many random illnesses. All said, I do not think it is a time to be more vigilant with our dogs or pet about COVID but it is as important now, as ever, to take all proper precautions, maintain good hygiene practices, observe social distancing and care for ourselves and our pets.

Enjoy the fresh air tomorrow and I hope that your dog stays well and all of this resolves in the near future.

Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He can be reached at 781-899-9994.