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Cats may transmit COVID-19 to other cats, study suggests
The findings suggest cats may be capable of becoming infected with the virus when exposed to people or other cats with SARS-CoV-2.
Humans with coronavirus symptoms advised to avoid contact with cats. 

Cats can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic - and may be able to transmit the virus to other cats, according to new research.

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine administered SARS-CoV-2 to three cats. The next day, nasal swabs of the cats revealed the virus has taken hold in two of the animals. By the third day, all three cats were confirmed with the virus.

The day after researchers administered the virus to the first three cats, they placed another cat in each of their cages. The scientists did not administer SARS-CoV-2 to these cats.

Nasal and rectal swabs were taken from all six cats in the following days to assess them for the presence of the virus. Within two days, one of the previously uninfected cats was shedding the virus, and within six days, all of the cats were shedding the virus. None of the rectal swabs contained the virus.

Each cat shed SARS-CoV-2 from their nasal passages for up to six days. The virus was not lethal, and none of the cats showed signs of the illness. All of the cats ultimately cleared the virus.

“That was a major finding for us — the cats did not have symptoms,” says lead author Yoshihiro Kawaoka, who is also helping lead an effort to create a human COVID-19 vaccine called CoroFlu.

Researchers say their findings suggest that cats may be capable of becoming infected with the virus when exposed to people or other cats positive for SARS-CoV-2. It follows a study published in Science by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences that also showed cats and ferrets could become infected with, and potentially transmit the virus.

“It’s something for people to keep in mind,” says Peter Halfmann, a research professor at UW–Madison who helped lead the study. “If they are quarantined in their house and are worried about passing COVID-19 to children and spouses, they should also worry about giving it to their animals.”

Both researchers advise that people with symptoms of COVID-19 avoid contact with cats. They also advise cat owners to keep their pets indoors to limit the contact their cats have with other people and animals.

The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.