Coronavirus in dogs and cats

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses.  Several strains have been identified in dogs and cats. Coronaviruses were discovered in the 60’s and they were and are associated with various types of disease in poultry, cattle, pigs, turkeys, ferrets, rabbits and cause of the common cold in people. Coronaviruses were later found to be the causative agent of MERS and SARS; COVID-19 is the latest strain.

In dogs the Coronavirus usually causes a transient diarrhea that produces yellow orange faeces for a few days, and then disappears.  It can be quite severe, and painful, but dogs usually recover fine.

In cats, the disease is usually much the same, except that some cats a few weeks to months later develop a vasculitis that causes fluid to accumulate in the abdomen and thorax typically, but there is also dry form which is more difficult to diagnose.  The disease is caused feline infectious peritonitis, and is usually fatal unless treated with a new class of drugs (Protease inhibitors) and/or high doses of steroids.  Although these treatments have seen to be successful, FIP remains a highly fatal disease. (Note that not all coronavirus in cats cause FIP, please consult your vet for details)

The recent COVID-19 found in the nose of a dog that lived with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 has caused some alarm, but at the moment it is considered that the dog is most likely a mechanical vector, much like a door handle would be in the patient’s apartment, rather than raw virus causing disease or being replicated in the dog’s cells.  However, it is still early days (20th February 2020) and the dog has been quarantined to check if the virus could possibly replicate in the dog.  At the moment, it’s considered to be unlikely.

28/2/2020

Dr Paul Mitchell BSc BVMS MRCVS

Information are for reference only, and may not apply to all animals.If you have concerns, please consult your vets.