How does IDEXX explain why the Hong Kong dog, Belgian cat and US tiger test positive for COVID-19?
| The global understanding of COVID-19 is ever evolving. Experts continue to agree that transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily person to person. As part of our research we have reviewed over 5,000 specimens submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories for respiratory tests of sick cats and dogs in 17 different countries. To date, IDEXX still has seen no positive results in pets of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) respiratory outbreak in humans. This would seem to suggest dogs and cats living with infected people generally seem to remain uninfected, except in rare and isolated cases. Note: The PCR tests referenced in relation to the Hong Kong dogs and cats, the Belgian cat and the NYC tiger were NOT done by IDEXX nor at an IDEXX Reference Laboratory. While there is currently no evidence that dogs or cats play a role in transmitting the disease to humans, isolated reports of weak positive results for SARS-CoV-2 in two dogs and two cats in Hong Kong, a cat in Belgium and now a tiger at a New York zoo suggest there may be varying levels of susceptibility to infections in animals that require further study. Cats and ferrets may be more susceptible to clinical infections while dogs seem generally resistant to infection, likely due to species differences in their ACE receptors1-3 which the virus uses to enter the cells.1 A cat in Belgium living in close contact with a COVID-19 infected owner presented with transient respiratory signs, vomiting and diarrhea while a cat in Hong Kong that tested PCR positive did not exhibit any clinical signs. A tiger in a New York zoo is the only known big cat infected with COVID-19. Public health officials believe the tiger had been in the vicinity of a zoo employee who was positive for the COVID-19 virus. None of the three dogs for which PCR tests came back positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have shown symptoms that would indicate infection. A geriatric Pomeranian dog with pre-existing conditions living in a household with infected humans in Hong Kong was reported to have tested a weak positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At no time did the dog develop clinical signs consistent with COVID-19 infection. A second dog from the same household consistently tested negative. In another Hong Kong home, a dog living with a COVID-19 positive human also tested PCR positive for the virus but showed no clinical signs of infection. With this collected body of evidence, leading veterinary and public health experts continue to reassure pet owners there is low likelihood of pet infection and even lower likelihood of our pets serving as a source of infection. In symptomatic pets, it is more likely that disease is caused by a more common respiratory infection than by COVID-19. We learn more every day, and if we deem it clinically important to commercialize our IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR Test, we will make it available for veterinarians and their patients. Constance E. De Haan, DVM, MA, DACVR, Medical Director IDEXX |
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Hi, I filled out an application last year and submitted my 25.00. I was response to and was told that how you’ worked was that I needed to go to one of your events to see your dogs. I was not able to attend the one I was notified abiut. I am still looking to adopt. How do I move forward?
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Thanks for your email. We see you applied in June 2019. Since it has bee more than one year, please go to our website and complete another application for adoption. Due to Covid, we aren’t conducting any public adoption. Once we receive your application, our coordinator will be in touch with you.
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