The epidemic of recent years has captivated the entire planet. Humanity is concerned not only with how to prevent the spread of this terrifying virus, but also with how dangerous it is for humans and animals. Can cats contract the coronavirus, and are they still infectious?
Back in 2020, Chinese scientists proposed that animals could also be carriers of the terrifying virus and, like humans, suffer severely from the disease. It was speculated that infection could very well be fatal. To understand the many nuances of epidemiological processes, let's revisit the history of the coronavirus. We'll also examine the symptoms that can identify this insidious disease, whether the virus is transmitted between animals, and, if so, how to treat it.
Can a cat get coronavirus?
Coronavirus infection is a family of viruses that can cause both overt and latent clinical symptoms, with an incubation period of 3 to 21 days. The disease is also common among animals, causing serious illnesses and even death. Concerns about cats being susceptible to COVID-19 arose because the infection most often causes acute community-acquired pneumonia.
The virus has not yet been fully studied, but most scientists unanimously agree that the coronavirus is infectious to pets. However, a reputable American source states that pigs, sheep, dogs, and poultry tested in the study did not become carriers of the virus, unlike cats.
In fact, COVID-19 in cats has a completely different etiology and has almost no connection with the coronavirus that has overwhelmed humanity.
However, exceptional circumstances suggest that this infection in animals cannot be compared to COVID-19 in the human population, as doctors are confident in the following arguments.
- Despite the unknown etiology of COVID-19 and the vast group of viruses, pets almost always carry their own strains.
- Cats can carry the virus and transmit it to each other, but remain non-infectious to humans.
- British scientists claim that most cats are asymptomatic, but they are still carriers of the virus. If the disease is indeed confirmed—which is extremely rare—cats with COVID-19 exhibit completely different symptoms.
- Pets often develop antibodies quickly, and the disease is fatal in only 1 case out of 1,000.
However, neither the infection itself nor its course in animals has been fully studied. For this reason, the European Veterinary Association recommends keeping cats that have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient indoors for two weeks. This will help prevent widespread infection of other pets.
Can cats carry coronavirus?
The Public Health Service states that members of the feline family cannot be carriers of the new viral infection dangerous to humans. Scientists believe that pets are not connected in any way to the etiology of the coronavirus infection; the course of the disease in animals does not exhibit the same symptoms as in humans, making it difficult to identify the virus. Experts agree that COVID-19 in animals and humans are essentially completely different viruses with a similar (but not completely identical) etiology.
A cat with coronavirus poses no threat to humans, but an owner who tests positive is a potential carrier of the virus. Naturally, the owner is considered contagious to their pet. You can prevent infection by isolating your furry friend from their owner for 14 days.
As a carrier of coronavirus, cats pose a conditional threat only to other felines. Since it's impossible to visualize the virus in a pet, it's quite difficult to identify COVID-19 and isolate the animal promptly. Cats often become infected "unnoticed." This species-specific virus is only theoretically related to COVID-19.
Symptoms of coronavirus in cats
In any case, every owner of a beloved cat, having read that their cat may be sick with coronavirus, asks the question: how to identify the disease, how not to miss the symptoms.
- In cats, COVID-19 most often manifests as enteritis: mild apathy and lethargy, loose stools (sometimes with streaks of blood). However, cats do not suffer from loss of appetite or depression; they can lead a normal life.
- If COVID-19 remains asymptomatic for a long time, it can develop into peritonitis (both dry and wet). The most prominent symptoms of wet peritonitis include swelling, fever, and renal failure. Only a specialist can accurately and promptly identify all these signs: ascitic fluid is often detected by ultrasound.
- Dry peritonitis has less pronounced symptoms and is much more severe. The disease causes damage to internal organs.
Veterinarians who have encountered COVID-19 believe that the disease in most cases is asymptomatic. Cat owners most often seek veterinary care when more severe, more pronounced symptoms of the infection appear. But there's always a chance to help your pet, even with severe coronavirus symptoms.
Read also about other diseases in cats.
Treatment of coronavirus in cats
A positive COVID-19 test in a cat often causes panic in its owner. Doctors are willing to help their furry pets at any cost. But no doctor can yet clearly define a treatment plan. Many veterinary clinics prescribe immunomodulators and expensive dietary food, although in reality, these have no effect on the outcome or course of the disease in pets.
Here's how veterinarians most often recommend treating cats for COVID-19 – step-by-step:
- First, it's necessary to undergo the necessary tests and a full examination (blood, stool, ultrasound). This isn't always expensive. The cost depends on the specialist's expertise.
- If no fluid is detected inside the peritoneum and there is no damage to the internal organs (this is determined by ultrasound), the animal only needs to support its immunity.
- Trying to support the body with immunomodulatory drugs is inappropriate. Modulators often only worsen the disease.
- Veterinarians prescribe hormonal therapy (prednisolone).
Also, remember that there is no vaccine against feline coronavirus. Prevention of COVID-19 infection is very basic: maintaining hygiene and completely (temporarily) isolating potentially or confirmed sick animals. If necessary, separate healthy kittens from their sick mother.
Brief conclusions
Feline coronavirus is a completely different disease. It has little in common with COVID-19, which causes lung damage.
The animal must be treated within the framework of logic and reason, because:
- The COVID virus is transmitted among cats, but is not at all contagious to humans.
- The coronavirus that a cat is suffering from cannot be dangerous to other pets.
- Diagnosis of COVID-19 in cats is carried out taking into account previously noted symptoms using blood tests, as well as stool tests and ultrasound.
- COVID-19 in felines is treated according to specific veterinary protocols. Treatment is generally affordable and accessible.
- Most often, a cat can become a lifelong carrier of coronavirus without showing any symptoms of the disease.
- Peritonitis, a possible complication of COVID, is much more difficult to treat.
The panic surrounding COVID-19 is fueling a raft of myths and unsubstantiated claims. The worst thing for cats isn't COVID-19, but rather stress and the resurgence of suppressed microflora as a result of improper treatment.
The most important point: cats carry coronavirus in a mild form in 99% of cases and are not a source of infection for humans.
Take care of yourself and your pets!
Read also, What to do if a cat sneezes.
