Pets are man’s best friend… Even if you’re battling the worst diseases, including COVID-19, they’ll always be by your side no matter what. However, research conducted during the global pandemic shows that pets and other animals can be infected with the coronavirus. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, COVID-19 has been detected so far in more than 15 animal species, including domestic animals and wild animals. And your dog or your cat? Covid-19 vaccine can he?
Simply put, it seems very unlikely that pets will become seriously ill from the coronavirus and also transmit COVID-19 to humans. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), animals can have COVID-19. very low risk of infecting humans. And pets don’t live in zoos either.
Many animals in zoos have received an experimental COVID-19 vaccine from veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis. Its purpose was to protect endangered animals or to welcome hundreds of curious people every day. It is also possible that the virus makes some animals sicker than others.
assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dr. Will SanderIn an interview with the New York Times in mid-November, “I think a vaccine for dogs and cats is highly unlikelyhe said, and continued:The risk of spreading illnesses and diseases in pets is so low that it is not worth vaccinating them.“
But this idea seems somewhat controversial. At the end of 2020, the Danish government had decided to kill millions of mink after it was revealed that animals had caught COVID-19 from mink farmers and transmitted it to humans. According to the CDC, cases of mink-to-human spread of COVID-19 have been reported in Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and potentially the United States. According to the US Fur Commission, there are over 275 mink farms in 23 US states. On these farms, animals are raised for their skins and other body parts used in clothing, cosmetics and other materials.
The New York Times says animal vaccine makers, especially Zoetis, are starting to work on vaccines for mink. The pharmaceutical company, which began work on a vaccine for dogs and cats in 2020, focused on mink in January and said “It is not uncommon to adapt vaccines for experimental use in other species.In July, Zoetis said more than 11,000 doses of experimental COVID-19 vaccines had been administered to zoos, conservatories and sanctuaries in 27 states.
The USDA is currently only accepting applications for COVID-19 animal vaccines for mink; other animals (such as zoo animals) may only be vaccinated on a case-by-case basis with USDA and state veterinarian approval. Wisconsin Public Radio reported in July 2021 that the state Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Consumer Protection approved Zoetis’ mink vaccine in May. Wisconsin stands out as the place that produces the most mink fur in the United States.
Infection of pets with COVID-19 is extremely rare. The FDA reports that “very few” pets worldwide have tested positive for COVID-19. An even smaller fraction of them are actually affected by COVID-19.
When a dog or cat becomes ill, they may develop human-like symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sneezing, runny nose, diarrhea, and vomiting, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends that you avoid kissing, petting, cuddling, or sleeping in the same bed as your pet if you have COVID-19 because the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can spread to animals. companionship through close contact. It is recommended that you try to isolate someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in your home from everyone, including pets, if possible.
your pet Although there may not be a vaccine for COVID-19, keeping track of your own vaccinations (including a booster dose) will help protect everyone in your household, including pets.
The CDC says not to wear a mask on your dog or cat at home. Also including hand sanitizer and other cleaners”do not wipe or wash your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or other productsThere is currently no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread through a pet’s fur.
If you think your pet has COVID-19 or is sick for any reason, call your vet (but don’t go to a vet yourself if you have COVID-19 yourself). Pet testing may be recommended if the animal has had direct contact with someone with COVID-19, the CDC said. But veterinarians should be “encouraged to consider other more common causes of illness in animals and to use their clinical judgment when deciding whether to test animals for SARS-CoV-2,” the agency says.
In short, there is currently no COVID-19 vaccine to apply to a cat or dog in your home. There is no green light for such a vaccine to be released in the near future. Fortunately, these animals are very unlikely to contract COVID-19; Even if they are caught, there is no mortal danger for them.