Cody Veterinary Hospital is offering in-office appointments. As recommended by the CDC and Wyoming Department of Health, social distancing, personal protective gear, and sanitation practices will be upheld by our team to ensure the health and safety of our clients, our community, and our team members. Please call us at 307-587-3151 if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.
Can my animals be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19?
While information is still be collected regarding the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, there is evidence from a small number of cases worldwide that animals can become infected following close contact with people who have the virus. However, the CDC states that the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered rare.
Is there a vaccination for SARS-CoV-2?
While there is now a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination available for people, there is not currently a vaccine available to protect animals. 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 any animals you own have limited interaction with people outside your regular household or those who are known/suspected to have COVID-19.
- Cats should be kept indoors when possible, particularly if you live near or around other people.
- Dogs should stay on a leash at least 6 feet away from others.
- Do not enter public spaces with large groups of people.
- 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.
- If you potentially or knowingly have COVID-19, avoid contact with animals during the period you are sick, including: petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, sleeping in the same bed, or being the primary caregiver of your animals, if possible.
- If you must care for your animals while potentially or knowingly infected, wear an approved face covering and wash your hands both before and after interacting with them.
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.
Should I test my pet for SARS-CoV-2?
Based on currently available information, testing animals for SARS-CoV-2 is not recommended.
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/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/pets-other-animals.html for more information on how COVID-19 could affect your animals.