Raleigh, NC State officials on Tuesday reported the first confirmed case of coronavirus in a dog that died last week at North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital.
The virus was confirmed by both the hospital laboratory and the National Veterinary Laboratories. The cause of the dog has not yet been determined.
The dog was taken to NC State on August 3 after showing signs of respiratory distress, officials said. The owner told veterinary hospital staff that a family member had previously tested positive for coronavirus.
“Based on the available information, the risk of animals spreading the virus to humans is considered low,” said Public Sector Public Health Drs. Carl Williams in a statement.
If pet owners are concerned about their dog’s health, officials said, they should contact their veterinarian and discuss the dog’s symptoms before bringing them to the veterinary office.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Agriculture’s Service for Inspection of Animal and Plant Health Inspection, there is no evidence that pets play a significant role in the spread of the virus.
“There is currently no indication that dogs can transmit the virus to other animals, so there is no justification for taking action against companion animals that could endanger their well-being,” said state legislator Dr. Doug Meckes.
However, state and federal officials plan to evaluate other pets in the home of the dog that died to determine if pet-to-pet transmission may have occurred.
In April, it was thought that a pug n Chapel Hill tested positive for the virus in one of the first cases in the US of a pet with the virus. But further tests later revealed that the dog probably never had the virus.
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