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SARS-CoV-2 is causing global human disease (COVID-19) and affecting many aspects of people's lives. Animals and pets, both in the community and in our families, are also affected by this pandemic.
Below are resources for pet owners, veterinarians and animal care and control agencies to provide information, answer questions, and deliver guidance as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Veterinary professionals in Los Angeles County are invited to consult with our Public Health Veterinarian On Call on Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm at 213-288-7060 or send an email to vet@ph.lacounty.gov.
Please be aware that there is still much to learn about COVID-19 and new information is generated daily. Be sure to check credible resources regularly to stay up-to-date on all the ways to keep yourself, your pets and those around you safe.
General Information:
It is up to each individual veterinary practice to decide when they are ready to have clients come back into the hospital. Each facility will need to decide on their procedures related to masks and clients. Businesses have the choice of requiring all customers to wear masks, require proof of immunization or post signs and rely on an honor system.
Los Angeles County Health Officer Order For The Control of COVID-19 - (updated 4/13/22)
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and Resources - (updated 12/2021)
Animal Health Alert: Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Veterinary Practice Staff - released 6.23.21 To stay up to date on emerging animal health issues, veterinary professionals are encouraged to join the Animal Health Alert Network (AHAN) to receive updates and alerts via email. Complete the online form here or fill out the form by hand and email it to vet@ph.lacounty.gov.
SARS-CoV-2 in Animals: 2021 Survey of Los Angeles County Veterinary Clinics - Pets and SARS-CoV-2: In February 2021, Veterinary Public Health conducted a survey to veterinary clinics in Los Angeles County to better understand local interest in testing for SARS-CoV-2 in pets as well as to identify potential barriers to testing. The survey had a response rate of about 25% and some of the findings include:
More testing, whether in symptomatic animals or as part of an active surveillance study would be needed to better understand and characterize pets that are infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Los Angeles County. To view a summary of the results of the survey, please click here.
References
regarding SARS-CoV-2 in Animals
Various
studies of COVID-positive households
across the country and internationally have found that pets in these
households may become
infected with SARS-CoV-2. Cats have been shown to be
especially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and
are able to transmit it to other cats. Confirming infection in pets
can be challenging. Most animals are either
asymptomatic or have only mild illness, animals do not
appear to shed the virus for long periods of time, and there
is no commercial antibody test available to confirm
SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals. Furthermore, commercial antigen
tests that are available can be expensive and a
positive result in a pet does not necessarily
change the recommended course of treatment.
Even though pets may contract the virus from
close contact with owners that are COVID positive,
research shows that pets do not play a significant
role in spreading the virus to humans. For additional reading about
pets and SARS-CoV-2, please click
here
Confirmed Cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Animals in the United States - USDA-APHIS We want to emphasize that there is still no evidence that pets play a significant role in spreading the virus in the United States. At this time, routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is not recommended and there is no justification in taking measures against animals or pets that may compromise their welfare.
Feeling overwhelmed by COVID-19? You can call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health helpline at 800-854-7771, text "LA" to 74174 any time, or visit here.
Information for Pet Owners: What You Need To Know About COVID-19 and Pets - CDC COVID-19: Pets and Other Animals - CDC FAQs for Pet Owners - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Pet Safety and COVID-19 (YouTube video 1:31) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Guidance for Handlers of Service and Therapy Animals - CDC COVID-19 Recommendations for Pet Stores, Pet Distributors and Pet Breeding Facilities - CDC COVID-19 Considerations for Animal Activities at Fairs, Shows and Other Events - CDC SARS-CoV-2 in Animals - AVMA COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners - Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) Keeping Kids and Pets Safer At Home - Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control COVID-19 and Los Angeles County (numbers of cases, numbers of deaths) - LAC DPH
Information for Veterinarians/Veterinary Staff: Resources: Talking to Clients About COVID-19 Vaccination - AVMA Toolkit: One Health Approach to Address Companion Animals with SARS-CoV-2 - CDC What You Need To Know About COVID-19 and Pets - CDC What Veterinarians Need to Know - AVMA FAQs for Veterinary Professionals - AVMA COVID-19: Keeping Veterinary Teams Healthy - AVMA Caring for patients and interacting with clients during COVID-19 - AVMA Using telemedicine to help care for veterinary patients during COVID-19 - AVMA Considerations for House-Call and Mobile Veterinarians During the COVID-19 Pandemic - AVMA Case Management During COVID-19 Recovery (Flowchart) - AVMA
Information about Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2 Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Animals - CDC Testing Animals for SARS-CoV-2 - AVMA If you have questions or wish to discuss a suspected case of SARS-CoV-2 in an animal in Los Angeles County, please call us at 213-288-7060 or email vet@ph.lacounty.gov.
Information for Animal Care and Control/Shelters/Rescues: COVID-19 FAQ for Animal Care and Control Staff - Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Animal Services' Role in COVID-19 Support - UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Statements on COVID-19 - National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) Shelter Kit for COVID-19 - Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and Humane Society of the US
Last updated: April 14, 2022 |
