Hey Woofa’s,

I don’t know about where you are, but the news of the spread of Coronavirus has caused some Aussies to lose the plot.

They are hoarding toilet paper, they are getting violent over toilet paper, they have lost the plot!!!!

What has the Coronavirus got to do with hoarding toilet paper, when it’s a respiratory disease, not a gastro bug?????

Actually, the pandemic of toilet paper hoarding is much more scarier than the actual virus at the moment.

Anyway, with the outbreak of Coronavirus it begs the question – Can My Dog Get Coronavirus?

WHAT EXACTLY IS CORONAVIRUS?

According to Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including:

• a runny nose;
• cough;
• sore throat; and
• fever.

Some are mild (such as the common cold) whilst others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

They usually spread through direct contact with an infected person.

The actual name comes from the crown-like spikes on it’s surface.  Corona in latin = crown.

The genus coronavirus is composed of at least 3 groups that cause mild to severe enteric, respiratory or systemic disease.

Other well known coronaviruses are SARS and MERS.

The Coronavirus we are facing now is COVID-19 and is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

COVID-19 virus is closely related to a bat coronavirus.

HOW DID CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)  START?

According to Health NSW, Coronavirus (COVID-19) started in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China where it has caused a large and ongoing outbreak.

The outbreak began in a ‘wet market’ in Wuhan that sell both dead and live animals including fish and birds.

The Telegraph, UK, reported that these markets pose a heightened risk of viruses  jumping from animals to humans.   Hygiene standards are low and difficult to maintain if live animals are being kept and butchered onsite.

These markets are also heavily populated by people.

HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) SPREAD?

Similar to cold and flu’s it spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes.

The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further.

People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes!

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY WITH SOAP AND WATER!

CAN MY DOG GET CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

It is loosely reported that a 17 year old Pomeranian in Hong Kong caught COVID-19 from it’s infected owner.

Authorities, however, are skeptical as results from the dog who has been tested are inconclusive.

Even if the dog is quarantined and infected, experts say there’s no evidence to prove the dog is capable of passing the virus on, (TIME).

The Center for Disease Control say that , there is currently no evidence to suggest that dogs or cats will become a source of infection of COVID-19 in other animals or humans.

Viruses can sometimes infect a species but not cause illness in that species, nor become transmissible to others.

If your pet is usually at home and no-one in your family home has COVID-19, the odds are that your pet won’t have it, even if they could get it.

HOWEVER, it’s still wise to wash your hands regularly, regardless, as a matter of general hygiene.

Pets do not need face masks when in public or at all.

If you are still in doubt check with your trusted Veterinarian for any further advice regarding your pet.

NOTE – if you are unsure as to whether or not you are suffering from Coronavirus contact your local health authorities immediately so you can be tested.

If you test positive – make sure you arrange for someone to look after your pets while you are in quarantine.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

At the current moment there is no evidence that our pets – dogs (and cats) can pass this Coronavirus (COVID-19) onto their owners or any humans.

Keep your hands clean with soap and water.

DON’T LOSE THE PLOT AND HOARD TOILET PAPER, it won’t help you!

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT CORONAVIRUS?

Cheers