Researchers described the first identification in southeast England and is commonly known as the UK variant or B.1.1.7. This variant rapidly outcompeted pre-existing variants in England due to its increased transmissibility and infectivity.
Two cats and one dog came back positive on PCR test, while two other cats and one dog displayed antibodies between two to six weeks after they developed signs of cardiac disease.
Many owners of these pets had developed respiratory symptoms several weeks before their pets became ill and had also tested positive for Covid-19.
All of these pets had an acute onset of cardiac disease, including severe myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
“Our study reports the first cases of cats and dogs affected by the Covid-19 alpha variant and highlights, more than ever, the risk that companion animals can become infected with SARS-CoV-2”, stated lead author Luca Ferasin, DVM, PhD, of The Ralph Veterinary Referral Center, in UK.
“We also reported the atypical clinical manifestations characterized by severe heart abnormalities, which is a well-recognized complication in people affected by Covid-19 but has never described in pets before.
However, Covid-19 infection in pets remains a relatively rare condition and, based on our observations, it seems that the transmission occurs from humans to pets, rather than vice versa.”
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