There’s no doubt that the current coronavirus outbreak is one of the most serious challenges to global health in recent times. It has been described as a crisis and the World Health Organization recently declared the outbreak a Global Pandemic. But while the risk to humans is crystal clear, there’s one niggling concern in the back of every pet parent’s mind:

The coronavirus in brief

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is one of a family of viruses that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. The first case was identified in china and it has since spread to over a hundred countries around the world.

The virus is believed to have originated from bats. Its symptoms include varying degrees of fever, dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, headache, chills, nasal congestion, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, muscle pain or joint pain, sputum production, hemoptysis, and conjunctival congestion.

However, the symptoms of the virus are not specifically confined to these. They may vary from person to person. The virus has also been discovered to have varying gestation periods in humans.

Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported in early March that a dog in the country had been tested and his nasal and oral cavities returned a “weak positive”. Essentially, they found that the dog had a low-level infection.

Although they initially believed that the virus was only present on the surface of the Pomeranian dog,  further tests revealed there was an infection. However, following more intense testing, it has been affirmed that the quarantined dog is still only a weak positive.

The World Organization for Animal Health and other experts have come to a conclusion that the infection is very likely to be a case of human to animal transmission. This is because his owner had earlier tested positive for the virus. The dog probably picked it up from the owner’s coughs, just like the way surface objects can retain fluids.

They also “strongly advice” that people with coronavirus should surrender their pets for quarantine. The Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) released a statement to the effect that “members of the public are advised to differentiate that ‘being infected’ does not equal being infectious and capable of spreading the COVID-19 virus.”

Both the SPCA and the World Organization for Animal Health repeatedly confirmed that there is no evidence of pets becoming sick with COVID-19, even when infected. This means that even if your dog gets the coronavirus,  he or she may not get sick or infect anyone else.

What can you do to keep your dog safe?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at present, the only known way for the disease to spread is from person to person or through drops of respiratory fluids from an infected person.

From the available evidence, dogs have just about the same risk of being contaminated as a door handle. It is likely that a dog can be contaminated with the virus, just like a door handle can be contaminated. As a result, the coronavirus could be present on the body of a dog even if the dog doesn’t have the virus.

In taking safety measures, the AFCD recommends that pet owners should always wash their hands before and after being with their pets. Unfortunately, kissing and hugging should be avoided for now.

Tips to up your French Bulldog’s immune system

We have compiled a list of tips that would be helpful to add another layer of safety measure.

• Wash Your Hands: Before and after touching your pet. Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands, don’t touch your dog with unwashed hands. Just wash your hands thoroughly and constantly.
• Regular Wipe Down: If you leave home with your dog, once you’re back, wipe your dog’s paws, body and face but not excessively to avoid irritation to their skin. Dog masks are not necessary, it just confuses the dog.
• Make an emergency plan for your French Bulldog: Keep a month worth of food medications and supply for your dog in case you can't get to a store. Identify a trusted individual who can take care of your dog in case you become ill. Make sure your pet is wearing ID tags at all times. Don’t be too far from your vet, once you notice anything odd, call or notify your vet.
• Listen to your vet and breeder: ask the vet or breeder about any shots, vitamins or diet supplements that can boost your dog’s white blood cells or immune system. The last thing you want is having to go to the ER with your dog during an outbreak. By increasing your dog's immunity system you will be decreasing the odds of your dog getting sick.
• Avoid the dog park - avoid large gathering and keep distance from humans and other pets during your walks. If you must stay indoor considering hiring a dog walker. Consider games you can play with your dog indoors to alleviate boredom.
• Stigmatization: Dogs can hardly get the coronavirus; neither can they pass it on. Don’t let anyone tell you things that are not true, make sure to get authentic news and act accordingly.

Please do not use disinfectant wipes, or anything containing bleach to clean your Frenchie's paws. Mild soap and water will do the job and get rid of any germs.

There is no higher priority to the Frenchiestore family than the safety of our employees and customers, and we want to be proactive in addressing the concerns of the CoronaVirus (COVID-19). We are monitoring and adapting our processes to deliver the highest quality products in the safest way possible.

Regular Environmental Cleaning - All frequently touched surfaces in the workplace are cleaned with antibacterial/viral disinfectant.

Regular ongoing briefings - Our team are will continue to adjust our operations following WHO and CDC guidelines.

Some common questions that may arise are:

Is it safe to receive a package? The World Health Organization states "Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low."

Will Frenchiestore close? At this time, the risk to our community is low, and there is no planned closure. We are currently implementing contingency plans to help us continue to operate and limit any impact on our business – all while keeping safety at the forefront.

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A tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19

A tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19 in New York City,  other tigers and lions living with the infected tiger displayed clinical signs. Given the recent positive COVID-19 diagnosis of the Bronx Zoo tiger, should pet owners be concerned?

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture all agree that there is no evidence that companion pets can spread COVID-19.

The Bronx Zoo, in New York City, says the test result was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa. Nadia, along with six other big cats, is thought to have been infected by an asymptomatic zoo keeper.The cats started showing symptoms, including a dry cough, late last month after exposure to the employee, who has not been identified.

Why do researchers believe cats are more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs?

COVID-19 enters cells via a receptor called ACE2. The ACE2 receptor of cats is almost identical to humans whereas, the dog receptor is about 70% similar.

Should I surrender my cat to a shelter due to their increased risk of catching COVID-19?

To be cautious, please keep your cat indoors until further notice. An indoor cat will have no risk to you or your family. If your cat was infected, they most likely got it from you or someone in your family. Scientists believe COVID-19 spreads from humans to cats, and not vice versa.

Conclusion

Be sure to take proper care of yourself and your dog. Don’t panic and always seek proper information before you act. Keep reading our Frenchie Blog for more information about how to get you and your pet through this health crisis. Stay safe.

- Frenchiestore Team