The Louisiana Department of Agriculture says the state has its first reported case of a dog testing positive for the coronavirus. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the dog, like most animals that test positive for the virus, was not sick.
“The dog belonged to a person that was also COVID-19 positive and in an abundance of caution, the animal was taken to a veterinarian where it was tested,” said Strain.
Animals can show symptoms though as some suffer from mild respiratory or gastrointestinal issues. Strain says the virus usually resolves quicker in dogs than with humans.
“It is generally believed that dogs do not amplify the virus and there is a very small probability that the dog can transmit the virus to a person,” said Strain.
But Strain recommends that if an animal does test positive for the virus that it is quarantined with the owner.
Early in the pandemic, it was believed that pets could not contract the virus, but the CDC has now learned animals can be infected. Strain says the virus is nowhere near as widespread in animals compared to humans.
“So far in the United States since April 4, there have been a total of 24 cases in animals. One lion, one tiger, twelve dogs, and ten cats,” said Strain.
According to HIPPA rules, the state cannot release any information that would identify the pet owner, including the breed or the animal’s location.
Comments