A report from Hong Kong indicates that a dog has tested positive for COVID-19. The dog was tested because its owner has COVID-19. Testing of pets is not a routine approach in most areas, but it’s good to see it being considered and investigated. However, we need to sort out what this test result
Modified-live pet vaccines and immunocompromised owners
Here’s a question I get a lot that I’ve posted about before:
I am immunocompromised, is it safe for me for my pet to get a modified live vaccine?
Or
A client came in and said their physician told them their pet should only receive killed vaccines.
Here is a little background first: Killed
More on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) in animals
I’ve gotten behind on writing so I’ll start back with a quick post. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has released an advisory document about the new coronavirus (the cause of the newly named disease COVID-19).
On the animal front, it’s still an ongoing battle to balance awareness (considering potential zoonotic sources and
Novel coronavirus and animals
I haven’t written much here about the 2019 novel coronavirus from China lately. In part, that’s because I’ve spent a lot of my time writing or reviewing documents for various groups on the topic. A common challenge I face with zoonotic diseases is the message. On one hand (or for some groups), I’m trying to
Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Small Animal Veterinary Clinics: New version!
It was a bit of a slog but we’ve posted the updated 2020 edition Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Small Animal Veterinary Clinics. In addition to updated information, the new version has many new and expanded subjects, and provides a comprehensive guide to infection control for veterinary hospitals.
Human norovirus in dogs
Norovirus infections suck. I know from personal experience.
Sometimes incorrectly referred to as the stomach flu (since it has nothing to do with influenza), norovirus infections in most otherwise healthy people tend to be fairly short-lived, but they still make you feel miserable (to say the least).
Previous studies have suggested that dogs can sometimes
New coronavirus: Companion animal concerns?
The recent reports of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus that’s been identified in China certainly raise the stakes. While this virus still seems to be less transmissible and less virulent than its relative, the SARS coronavirus, it’s pretty early to have a lot of confidence in that. Lessons seem to have been learned
Outbreak Report #1: Campylobacter from puppies
A couple of recent outbreak reports are interesting, though unsurprising, and they help raise awareness about some important issues. Here’s the first one.
The CDC recently released an update on the ongoing investigation into antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter infections from puppies. Contact with puppies (and kittens) has been shown to be a risk factor for people
Oddball hookworm infection in a person
People sometimes get frustrated when I won’t say “absolutely, positively that cannot happen.” It’s not that I don’t understand or am afraid to make a decision, it’s biology. I can say something is “exceedingly unlikely to happen,” “not something I’d be concerned about” or
“there’s no evidence that’s a concern
Fake news and canine flu
ProMed Mail just reported on the return of canine flu to Ontario.
The problem is, it’s not true. (I guess that’s not a problem. It’s good that it’s not here.)
Today’s ProMed post on the subject references a news article (which appears to have been removed since) that just seems to be a direct copy