The safety of our patients, clients, and team is our primary concern.
To minimize the risk of contagion and spread of COVID-19, it is important to practice social distancing for your pets as well:
Despite the massive number of coronavirus infections worldwide, only a few pets living with infected people have tested positive so far: two dogs (Hong Kong) and two cats (Belgium and China). The cat in Belgium was hospitalized for digestive symptoms unrelated to COVID, according to the attending veterinarians. All of the animals have recovered.
A study on 102 cats in China showed that 11 of them had the antibodies without any evidence of viral genetic material. This suggests they had been in contact with the virus in recent weeks but were not infected at the time of testing.
Outside these few documented cases of natural infection, a study was published on the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus was deposited directly into the nostrils of the animals in the study. Although that is not how a “normal” infection occurs, certain general findings from the study may be of use.
Dogs are not very susceptible and don’t seem to transmit the virus. Cats and ferrets are more susceptible to the virus—so, more easily infected. But there is nothing to indicate that they are a direct source of infection for humans. Chickens, ducks, and pigs are not susceptible to the virus.
There is currently no vaccine to protect our pets against this type of coronavirus.
To date, there is no evidence that pets can transmit coronavirus to their humans. The animals that have tested positive were living with infected humans and it is believed that the humans infected the animals, not the other way around. For that reason, the most important thing is to follow health and hygiene measures. Remember to wash your hands before and after touching your pet.
And social distancing isn’t just for humans—it’s for pets, too. We recommend keeping cats inside and avoiding contact with other dogs and humans when walking your canine companion—meaning no pats on the neighbour dog’s head.
Just as we need to practise social distancing between humans, you should limit contact with dogs and cats during the period you are infected. These are the current recommendations until we know more about the virus.
So, when possible, ask another family member to care for your pet while you are sick.
If you must continue caring for your pet while you’re sick, avoid petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, being licked by, or sharing food with your pet. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling and wear a mask. We also recommend proceeding with caution and avoiding contact between your pet and other animals.
With the situation changing rapidly, it is important to contact your veterinary clinic before leaving home to find out about specific safety measures. This will allow your veterinary team to determine whether your pet needs care promptly and advise you of any special precautions.
All veterinary team members are committed to keeping their animal patients healthy, and to protecting the public and the overall health of the community.
To limit the risk of spread and protect our employees and clients, it is very important to tell us if you are experiencing the following symptoms before an appointment:
If your pet requires urgent care, your clinic will put special measures in place to provide the care needed.
Have you travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days? It is important to mention this when you call before your appointment or when making an appointment.
Have you been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or someone with related symptoms? Please notify your veterinary team.
Please make an extra effort to think carefully about the people you have been in contact with to ensure that you do not put our teams and other clients at risk.
The situation is changing fast, and your veterinary team may put special measures in place quickly to protect everyone’s health and safety.
Some veterinary facilities have an animal-only access policy, which means that the team must meet you outside to pick up your pet or bring you the medications and products you need.
Veterinary professionals are doing everything they can to protect community health, and everyone must do their part and follow clinic recommendations!
If your veterinary team’s protocol allows you to enter the clinic, observe the limit of one person per pet. This reduces non-essential exposure for our teams, patients, and clients.
In most clinics, the only exception is for families accompanying a pet at the end of life for humane euthanasia (animal that must be relieved of suffering as soon as possible).
Your clinic has likely posted signs near the entrance outlining the specific COVID-19 protocols to be followed. Read the instructions carefully.
You’ve heard it over and over—handwashing is now an essential hygiene measure. Wash your hands as soon as you arrive at the clinic and when you leave.
In the current situation, many people have chosen to work from home.
Now that you’re with Fido all day, he may think you’re available to pet and play with him any time. It’s any dog’s dream! We know you’d love to snuggle with him all day long, but you need to concentrate on your work. So we’ve come up with some tips to help you work without having to toss his ball every 5 minutes.
Read our post (in French), Divertir son chien tout en travaillant de la maison, for tips on keeping your dog entertained while you work.
And we’ve also got some advice on keeping your best friend from stressing out when the time comes to go back to work!
Read our post (in French), Préparer son animal au déconfinement.
In the current situation, many people have chosen to work from home. While some more independent cats won’t mind, others will be thrilled to spend full days with their favorite humans. We know you’d love to pet Kitty all day long, but you need to concentrate on your work. So we’ve come up with a few tips to help you work and prevent her from meowing at your office door during your conference call!
Read our post (in French), Occuper son chat tout en travaillant de la maison, for tips on keeping your cat entertained while you work.
And we’ve also got some advice on keeping them copacetic when it’s finally time to go back to the old routine!
Read our post (in French), Préparer son animal au déconfinement.
Are the kids at home until further notice? Are you working fewer hours? Looking for new activities to combat the isolation? Here are some things you can do as a family or on your own that everyone will enjoy, including Kitty!
The best thing about all these activities? Most can be done with materials you already have around the house! We know that having to stay home requires a lot of imagination and creativity, and we’re here to help.
Are the kids at home until further notice? Are you working fewer hours? Looking for new activities to combat the isolation? We have ideas for things you can do as a family or on your own that everyone will enjoy, including Spot!
The best thing about all these activities? Most can be done with materials you already have around the house! We know that having to stay home requires a lot of imagination and creativity, and we’re here to help.
You may be used to bringing your pet to the vet or groomer for things like nail trimming or bathing. But now that only essential services are open in Quebec due to the pandemic, you’ll have to tackle these tasks yourself. Don’t worry! We’re here to help and tell you everything you need to know.
You’ve recently adopted a puppy and keep hearing how important socialization is, especially between 8 and 16 weeks.
But now everyone’s on lockdown because of the pandemic. How are you going to help your puppy develop the socialization skills they need? Globalvet to the rescue! We’ve got some tricks you can try—all from the comfort of your own home.