Updates on SARS-CoV2 testing for pets

A commercial laboratory has announced that SARS-CoV2 testing is available to the public through veterinarians. It is important to note the recommendations for when to test are similar to those we discussed in our previous post about the testing recommendations from the NYS State Veterinarian and summarized nicely in this flow chart from the AVMA.

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Some commercial labs are performing testing for SARS-CoV2 on all samples submitted for canine and feline respiratory or GI PCR as a means of surveillance. Veterinarians submitting samples should be aware that any non-negative result for SARS-CoV2 will be sent for confirmation; confirmation is needed because the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 in animals is so low, the chance of a false positive result is high. A positive result in an animal on the confirmatory tests would be reported to the state veterinarian and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Before submitting test samples, veterinarians should  clarify with their state veterinarian what the response to a positive test might be, especially for an animal in a shelter. Likewise, veterinarians should clarify with their laboratories whether they are adding on SARS-CoV2 testing even if not specifically requested.

What’s important to take from this new information is the same message we have been saying all along:

  • Infected owners are a risk for infecting their cats and cats need to be protected like other family members when a family member is ill.
  • Widespread testing of healthy cats is not recommended.
  • And there is no evidence that pets play a role in the transmission of SARS-CoV2 to people.

Resources:

www.idexx.com/en/about-idexx/covid-19/

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