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By: Kaitlin Holley

While most people are getting used to staying at home more, pets are happy to have their humans join their everyday routine, but Covington County Veterinary Care veterinarian Andrew Nichols said it is important that we remember our four-legged friends as we self distance, self-quarantine, and self contain.

Nichols also is recommending that everyone get their rabies shots and puppies that are susceptible to infectious diseases like parvo are recommended to get vaccinated.

“Heartworm prevention is very important since we live in the heartworm capital of the world,” Nichols said.

American Veterinary Medical Association has informed vets that dogs have a separate form of coronavirus and that for now, it is not true that dogs have COVID-19, but they can be phomides for people.

Veterinary experts believe that even that would be low for transmission.

“Make sure you are not coughing, kissing or sneezing your pet if you feel infected,” Nichols said. “It is possible that a person with COVID-19 could sneeze or otherwise contaminate their pet, and then another individual could touch that animal and contract the disease.

According to Veterinary Medicine at Illinois, COVID-19 survives longer on hard, inanimate surfaces (e.g., glass, metal) than on soft surfaces (e.g., fur, cardboard). Nevertheless, animals living with sick individuals should be kept away from other people and animals (quarantined at home), just as people who live with sick individuals must avoid contact with others.

“Pet owners should have enough food, supplements, medications, and any other pet-care products needed to last your pet at least two weeks and, ideally, four weeks,” Nichols said.

CVC is accepting patients but is keeping the lobby very minimized and constantly disinfecting areas.

Make sure if you feel sick you do not come in.