Two pet cats may have caught the new coronavirus from humans. Coronavirus

It was news that pet owners didn’t want to hear. Two domestic cats became the first two livestock in the United States to test positive for SARS-Co-V-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

As of Friday morning, all four cases were cats in New York. A tiger on April 4, a lion on April 15, and a cat with two pets, both confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control on Tuesday.

Big cats live in the Bronx Zoo and their dogs live in different parts of New York, according to a news release posted on the CDC website.

According to Dr. Laurel S. Marshall, locally on Friday morning, the Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital received two inquiries regarding cats and COVID-19.

The hospital also received an email about tests available on animals, but with three warnings.

• Pets coexist with humans who test positive for COVID-19.
• The test excludes more common infections.
• Cats and ferrets that meet the other criteria show symptoms consistent with the new coronavirus.

She said the email didn’t mention the dog.

“It doesn’t seem that cats can infect humans,” said Marshall, who noted that the University of Washington is researching new coronaviruses and pets.

Although the epidemic that causes pandemics is new to humans, both humans and animals can be infected with other forms of coronavirus. This includes a large “family” of illnesses that have existed for a long time.

According to Marshall, the common coronavirus in dogs usually causes diarrhea and warns against being confused with a pandemic.

The canine coronavirus, known as CCV, was identified in 1971 and there are vaccines available to protect dogs, but they cannot protect humans from pandemics.

“They are different strains of the coronavirus,” Marshall said. “This is not the coronavirus we are worried about now. This is not COVID-19.”

Both pet cats diagnosed in New York this week have mild respiratory illness and are expected to recover completely. SARS-CoV-2 infections have been reported in a very small number of animals worldwide, mainly in animals in close contact with people with COVID-19.

The US Department of Agriculture lists symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in animals as fever, cough, dyspnea or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting and diarrhea.

At this time, the CDC does not recommend regular animal testing and has deferred to leading state animal health and public health authorities to determine if animal disease testing should be done. .

In a New York case announced this week, a veterinarian examined the first cat with mild respiratory symptoms. No individual in the household has been confirmed to have COVID-19.

The virus may have been transmitted to this cat by mild or asymptomatic household members or by contact with infected persons outside the home.

A second cat sample was taken after it showed signs of respiratory disease. The cat owner was positive for COVID-19 before the cat showed signs. Another cat in the household shows no signs of illness.

Both cats tested in a private veterinary laboratory for putative positive for SARS-CoV-2 and reported the results to state and federal authorities.

Testing to confirm the results of the private lab was conducted at National Veterinary Services Laboratories and included the collection of additional samples.

Public health authorities are still learning about SARS-CoV-2, but there is no evidence that pets play a role in the spread of the virus in the United States.

Until more is known about the transmission of the disease, the CDC recommends that pets not be in contact with people outside the home or with other animals. If possible, keep the cat indoors to prevent it from interacting with other animals or people. Chain dogs at least 6 feet from other people and animals. Avoid dog parks and public places with lots of people and dogs.

If you suspect you are infected with COVID-19, or if confirmed by testing, you should limit contact with pets and other animals.

If possible, ask another member to take care of your pet.

If a sick person needs to take care of or be around the animal, you should cover your face with a cloth and wash your hands before and after contact with the animal.

People with COVID-19 and sick pets should not take pets to a veterinary clinic.

The CDC recommends calling the vet to inform the office of human illness. Some veterinarians may offer telemedicine consultation or other plans to see a sick pet. Veterinarians can evaluate pets and determine next steps in pet care and care.

Animal testing does not reduce the availability of human testing, according to the CDC.