What You Need to Know About Coronavirus in Cats.
If you’re a cat owner, you might have heard some alarming news recently. A pet cat in Belgium has tested positive for coronavirus, the same virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. This is the first confirmed case of a cat being infected by the virus in Europe, and it has raised some concerns about the risk of transmission and infection in our feline friends.
But before you panic and lock your kitty in a quarantine room, let’s take a closer look at what this case really means, and how you can protect yourself and your cat from coronavirus.
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The Belgian Cat Case
The cat in question belongs to a woman who lives in Liege province, Belgium. She had travelled to Italy, one of the hardest-hit countries by the pandemic, and had returned with flu-like symptoms. She was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
A week later, her cat started to show signs of illness too. It had diarrhoea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. These are some of the symptoms that humans with COVID-19 may experience, but they are also common in many other cat diseases.
The cat was taken to Liege University, where a test confirmed the presence of genetic material of the virus in its faeces. This means that the cat was infected by the virus, but it does not necessarily mean that it had COVID-19. The test does not distinguish between different strains of coronavirus, and there are many other types of coronavirus that can infect cats and cause different diseases.
One of these diseases is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is a fatal condition that affects the cat’s immune system and organs. FIP is caused by a mutation of a common feline coronavirus (FCoV), which usually causes mild or no symptoms in cats. However, in some cases, FCoV can mutate into a more virulent form that causes FIP.
There have been reports of a sudden rise in FIP cases in Cyprus, where thousands of cats have died from the disease. Some experts have suggested that this could be due to a more virulent strain of FCoV circulating among the cats, or that the stress caused by the pandemic could have weakened their immune systems and made them more susceptible to FIP.
However, there is no evidence that FIP is related to COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2. FIP is not contagious to humans or other animals, and it is very unlikely that a cat with FIP could transmit FCoV to a human or vice versa.
The Belgian authorities have stated that the cat’s infection was most likely due to human-to-cat transmission, and not the other way around. They have also reassured pet owners that there is no need to abandon or euthanize their cats because of this case.
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What Does This Mean for Cat Owners?
The case of the Belgian cat is very rare and isolated. There is no evidence that cats can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to humans or other animals, or that they can become seriously ill from it. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no indication that pets can be a source of infection for people.
However, this does not mean that we should be complacent or careless. The coronavirus is a new and evolving threat, and we still do not know everything about it. It is possible that some animals may be more susceptible than others, or that some strains of the virus may be more virulent than others. Therefore, it is important to follow some basic precautions to protect ourselves and our cats from potential infection.
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How Can We Protect Our Cats from Coronavirus?
The best way to protect our cats from coronavirus is to protect ourselves first. This means following the guidelines issued by the WHO and local authorities, such as washing our hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, wearing a mask if we have symptoms, and staying at home as much as possible.
If we are diagnosed with COVID-19, we should limit our contact with our cats as well as other people, and wear a mask when we are around them. We should also avoid kissing or sharing food with our cats, and clean their bowls and toys regularly.
If our cats show any signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or loss of appetite, we should contact our veterinarian for advice. We should not panic or assume that they have COVID-19, but we should also not ignore their symptoms or self-medicate them. We should keep them isolated from other animals and people until they recover.
We should also keep in mind that there are other diseases that can affect our cats, such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and feline leukemia. We should make sure that our cats are up to date with their vaccinations and regular check-ups, and that they have access to clean water and nutritious food.
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Now What…
The case of the Belgian cat is an unusual and intriguing one, but it does not mean that we have to fear or abandon our cats because of coronavirus. Cats are an important source of companionship and comfort for many people, especially in these difficult times. They can help us cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. They can also boost our immune system and lower our blood pressure. They deserve our love and care, not our rejection or neglect.
So let’s be responsible cat owners and follow the advice of experts to keep ourselves and our furry friends healthy and happy. And let’s hope that this pandemic will soon be over, so that we can enjoy life with our cats without any worries.
What do you think about this article? Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to share them below! And don’t forget to share this post with your friends who love cats! 😊
