'Animals that have contact with confirmed or suspect human cases should be treated as high risk of having the virus either on their coats, or in their faeces, as well as in nasal and oral secretions,' the VCI said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Guidance issued by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) recommends that house pets and animals who come into direct contact with humans who test positive for COVID-19 should be quarantined for 14 days.
The VCI advised vets dealing with customers concerned by reports of house pets and even zoo animals such as tigers, testing positive for the virus to explain the difference between “contaminated” rather than “infected” pets.
While there is no definitive link between pet and human transmission the Council advised that the situation still be treated with caution.
ADVERTISEMENT
Animals that have contact with confirmed or suspect human cases should be treated as high risk
“At this point pets are not considered to be active transmitters of infections for humans,” the VCI said.
“However, animals that have contact with confirmed or suspect human cases should be treated as high risk of having the virus either on their coats, or in their faeces, as well as in nasal and oral secretions.
“It would be advisable that such animals be quarantined and kept in isolation for 14 days as a precautionary measure.”
The VCI also advised vets to implement “barrier nursing protocols” as a precautionary measure and that high risk COVID-19 patients should limit their contact with other animals.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Guidance issued by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) recommends that house pets and animals who come into direct contact with humans who test positive for COVID-19 should be quarantined for 14 days.
The VCI advised vets dealing with customers concerned by reports of house pets and even zoo animals such as tigers, testing positive for the virus to explain the difference between “contaminated” rather than “infected” pets.
While there is no definitive link between pet and human transmission the Council advised that the situation still be treated with caution.
Animals that have contact with confirmed or suspect human cases should be treated as high risk
“At this point pets are not considered to be active transmitters of infections for humans,” the VCI said.
“However, animals that have contact with confirmed or suspect human cases should be treated as high risk of having the virus either on their coats, or in their faeces, as well as in nasal and oral secretions.
“It would be advisable that such animals be quarantined and kept in isolation for 14 days as a precautionary measure.”
The VCI also advised vets to implement “barrier nursing protocols” as a precautionary measure and that high risk COVID-19 patients should limit their contact with other animals.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS