Cody Veterinary Hospital is offering in-office appointments and has returned to normal operations.
Please call us at 307-587-3151 if you have any questions or concerns.
Can my animals be infected with SARS-CoV-2, also known as the virus that causes COVID-19?
While information is still being collected, there have been multiple cases showing that SARS-CoV-2 can be transferred between people and animals during close contact. However, the CDC states that the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is low.
Is there a vaccination for SARS-CoV-2?
While there are now SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations available for people, there is not currently a vaccine available to protect animals. However, most animals that do get infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not have any symptoms or only have mild symptoms, and they often make a full recovery without any lasting side-effects.
Other strains of coronavirus found in animals do have vaccinations available, but none of these vaccinations protect against SARS-CoV-2.
How do I protect my animals from SARS-CoV-2?
The CDC recommends that you follow much of the same guidance you would to prevent other people from being infected: limit direct contact between your animals and anyone who has tested positive, or is suspected to be positive for, SARS-CoV-2. Someone who is sick should avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, or sleeping in the same bed as animals.
DO NOT put face coverings/masks on animals as they could potentially be harmful.
DO NOT attempt to disinfect your animals by wiping or bathing them with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any other product not intended or approved for use on animals.
Please contact our team at 307-587-3151 or your local veterinarian if you have any questions about what the best cleaning products and procedures are for your animals.
What symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 should I look out for in animals?
Animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 may or may not exhibit any symptoms, and the majority of these animals have fully recovered from any mild symptoms they did exhibit. However, some signs of illness may include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nose or eye discharge, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If your pet is exhibiting any of these symptoms, please feel free to contact our team at 307-587-3151.
Should I test my animal for SARS-CoV-2?
Based on currently available information, testing animals for SARS-CoV-2 is not recommended but is available.
What do I do if I think my animal has SARS-CoV-2 or my animals has received a positive test for the virus?
Please inform your veterinary care provider of any exposure your animal may have had to SARS-CoV-2 when booking an appointment if you believe there may be a risk of infection, including sudden symptoms following exposure to a person or animal infected with the virus. Please ask someone else to bring your animal into the veterinary facility if you have reason to believe you may be infected with SARS-CoV-2. This enables our team to take the necessary precautions required to maintain the health and safety of each person and animal that enters our facility as well as providing your animal with the care they need.
If your animal has been tested for SARS-CoV-2 and receives a positive result, please isolate your animal from other animals and people and talk to your veterinarian. While caring for a positive animal, monitor your animal’s symptoms, wear personal protective gear (masks, gloves, etc) when handling anything related to your animal, and be sure to maintain clean practices (disinfecting surfaces, hand washing, etc). Again, do not attempt to disinfect your animals by wiping or bathing them with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any other product not intended or approved for use on animals.
To end home isolation, maintain a conversation with your veterinary office, watch for a lack of symptoms for 72 hours, and receive either a negative SARS-CoV-2 test or wait a time period of 14 days since the positive SARS-CoV-2 test.
Do not surrender, euthanize, or abandon your animals because of SARS-CoV-2.
Animals are not significantly contributing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 nor are infections among animals common worldwide. Person-to-person contact is the most significant contributing factor to the current outbreak of COVID-19.
There is no reason to remove a pet from your household or euthanize your animals as a result of SARS-CoV-2.
This page is based on current CDC recommendations and guidelines found at the link below.
Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/covid-19/index.html for more information on how COVID-19 could affect your animals.