Can dogs get coronavirus?
Check out this answer from Consensus:
Dogs can indeed get infected with coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. While the prevalence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs is low, serological evidence indicates that dogs living in close contact with COVID-19 positive humans can be exposed to and infected by the virus. Dogs can also act as passive carriers, potentially facilitating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it is important to monitor and manage the interaction between infected humans and their pets to minimize the risk of virus spread.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can infect both animals and humans. In dogs, coronaviruses such as Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) and Canine Respiratory Coronavirus (CRCoV) have been known for decades. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has raised questions about its potential to infect dogs and the role dogs might play in the transmission of this virus.
Key Insights
- Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) and Disease Severity:
- SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Dogs:
- Dogs can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, especially those living in close contact with COVID-19 positive humans. Serological studies have shown the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs, indicating past infections3 5 6 9 10.
- The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs is relatively low, but seroprevalence studies indicate that a significant number of dogs have been exposed to the virus, particularly in households with COVID-19 patients6 7 10.
- Transmission Dynamics:
- Dogs can act as passive mechanical carriers of SARS-CoV-2, potentially transmitting the virus to humans through contaminated fur or surfaces2.
- Evidence of human-to-dog transmission has been documented, with dogs developing antibodies and testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 after their owners were infected5 9.
- Serological and Epidemiological Studies:
Can dogs get coronavirus?
Joe Brownlie has answered Near Certain
An expert from The Royal Veterinary College in Veterinary Science, Vaccines
Yes, they can get coronaviruses. They can become infected with an alpha corona virus which causes diarrhoea (a vaccine is commercially available) and, in 2003, we at the Royal Veterinary College in London UK discovered a new coronavirus, a beta corona virus, that we named Canine respiratory Corona virus (CRCoV). It caused severe respiratory disease in dogs and was rapidly transmitted between dogs in kennels. We have also made a vaccine that is yet to be released. It is similar to both SARS virus and Covid-19 virus but NOT the same virus. There has been no indications, as yet, that this is transmissible to humans, even amongst kennel staff amid the canine infectious respiratory disease (CURD) outbreak.
Can dogs get coronavirus?
Leyi Wang has answered Unlikely
An expert from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Virology, Coronavirus, Veterinary Science
It is less likely for dogs to get COVID-19 coronavirus, based on the currently information, despite one dog testing positive in Hong Kong. There is still need to monitor the virus in dogs.
Since dogs may not be the biological carrier, it is less likely dog can spread it to humans.
In terms of other animals, since the COVID-19 coronavirus is very similar to bat coronavirus, it is better to avoid contact with bats. Bats are also reservoir for rabies virus, that is another reason to avoid them.
Can dogs get coronavirus?
Matt Koci has answered Unlikely
An expert from North Carolina State University in Virology, Immunology, Microbiome, Agricultural Biotechnology
Dogs have their own coronaviruses, just like there were common cold coronaviruses that we can get, before SARS-CoV-2 came along and became the only coronavirus anyone cared about. However, there is no evidence that those dog coronaviruses can be transmitted to people. Additionally, there are a couple of reports for dogs being SARS-CoV-2 positive, but these are rare. One study where they inoculated dogs with SARS-CoV-2 suggested they don’t get infected. This is biology, and in biology the only absolute is there are no absolutes, as this moves around the world I’m sure there were be a few cases that pop up here and there, but so far these seem to be outliers and nothing to be worried about.