IVMA The Human Side of AnimalHealth

PROTECTINGYOURSELF &YOUR PETS

FROM COVID-19

A h e l p f u l g u i d ef r o m t h e I V M A

C O N T A C T U S

THE BEST WAYTO PROTECT

YOUR PET

Wash your hands oftenwith soap and water. Avoid touching your nose,eyes and mouth withunwashed hands.Avoid close contact withpeople who are sick. Stayhome when you are sick. Cover your coughs andsneezes.Disinfect all surfaces thatare frequently used. Vaccinate your pets for allother potential diseases, asrecommended, by yourveterinarian.Limit contact with yourpets if you or someone youare close to contracts thecoronavirus.

Indiana Veterinary Medical Association1202 East 38th Street

Discovery Hall Suite 200317-974-0888 / info@invma.org

What arecoronaviruses?

“a large family of viruses that are commonin people and many different species ofanimals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses caninfect people and then spread betweenpeople.”

T H E C D C D E F I N E S C O R O N A -V I R U S A S :

The CDC says the disease is spread tohumans through person-to person contact.There have been no reports of pets orlivestock becoming ill or spreading thecoronavirus in the U.S.

H O W I S C O V I D - 1 9 S P R E A D ?

Made available by the Indiana VeterinaryMedical Association, advancing theveterinary medical profession, promotinganimal health and protecting public health.

I N D I A N A V E T E R I N A R YM E D I C A L A S S O C I A T I O N

Can my pet contractthe coronavirus froman infected person?While this virus seems to have emerged from ananimal source, the CDC believes there’s no reasonto think any animals, including pets in the U.S.,might be a source of infection. To date, CDC has not received reports of companionanimals sick with the coronavirus, and there’s noevidence they will be able to spread it to humans inthe future.  However, since animals can spreadother diseases, it’s always a good idea to wash yourhands after being around them. Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19, forpeople or pets. Any animal showing seriousillness needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Can my pet contract thecoronavirus from aninfected person?The CDC says anyone who is sick with the corona-virus should restrict contact with any animals, justlike you would around other people. If you oranother family member contracts the virus, the CDCrecommends having another member of yourhousehold care for your animal. Avoid petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, andsharing food. If you must care for your pet or bearound animals while you are sick, wash your handsbefore and after you interact with pets and wear aface mask.

Do we need to take extraprecautions with animalsthat have recently beenimported from China or otherinfected countries?There is no evidence that animals or animal productsimported from China or other countries pose a risk ofspreading coronavirus in the U.S. All animals imported from infected countries will need tomeet CDC and USDA requirements for entering the U.S. At thistime, there is no evidence that companion animals, includingpets, can spread the coronavirus. Any animals recentlyimported from China or other countries affected by thecoronavirus should be observed daily for signs of illness. If ananimal becomes ill, the CDC recommends bringing the animalto a veterinarian as soon as possible. Call your localveterinary clinic before bringing the animal into the clinic andlet them know that the animal was recently in an infectedcountry.