As omicron sweeps through Florida homes, more pet owners are reporting their dogs or cats showing signs of coronavirus.
Pets around the world, including cats and dogs, have become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, primarily after close contact with people with COVID-19.
One manufacturer of a pet COVID PCR test has tested more than 5,000 samples collected from dogs, cats, and horses that had respiratory illnesses. Testing confirmed more than three dozen COVID cases in a dog or cat during the pandemic. Most of the animals were in a home where humans had the virus.
Dr. Alison of Victoria Park Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale said that if a dog or cat comes into her office with symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting and someone in the household has had COVID, she is treating the symptoms rather than evaluating the animal to detect the virus.
Cats are more susceptible than dogs and more likely to catch COVID from their owners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some pets that tested positive for COVID became ill with breathing and breathing problems, while others suffer from vomiting and diarrhea, according to veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals.
Big cats, particularly tigers and lions, have also been affected by the virus. An outbreak at the Bronx Zoo in New York State, likely due to an infected zookeeper, resulted in 4 tigers and 3 lions with coughs and respiratory problems. Another outbreak in Malayan tigers occurred at Zoo Knoxville, Tennessee.
Rodents have also had coronavirus. Last week, Hong Kong announced the culling of more than 1,000 domestic hamsters and the quarantining of their owners in response to fears that the pets have spread the coronavirus to people. COVID cases have also been confirmed in mink, ferrets, gorillas, snow leopards, and cougars.