Donview Veterinary Centre News

We have had many phone calls over the past few days asking if pets are at risk from the coronavirus, here are answers to some common questions regarding the virus and pets.

Do animals get coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are very common in animals and there are many different strains (types) which are different from COVID-19. In general, they normally cause problems like coughing or diarrhoea that are relatively mild.

Do animals get COVID-19?

There have been no confirmed COVID-19 infections in animals. Some coronaviruses are zoonotic which means they can jump from one species to another, for example human to animal or the reverse. There is some suggestion that COVID-19 originated from animals(bats) but this is not yet confirmed. COVID-19 seems to spread from human to human, not animals.

How do animals contribute to the spread of COVID-19?

At the moment we don’t think animals play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19. However, if a person with COVID-19 is in contact with an animal they could potentially spread the virus to another person via the virus being on the coat of the animal. In this situation the animal is a fomite (something that can transfer a virus from one person to another without them having to meet).

Can I get COVID-19 from my pet?

No, but if they have been in touch with someone infected with COVID-19 then there is a slight risk. Make sure you wash your hands before and after feeding/playing with your pet and avoid kissing, licking or sharing food with them

Can animals be vaccinated?

No, we have some vaccines for other types of animal coronaviruses but they are not useful when thinking about COVID-19.

Jack, a one-year-old sprocker, was rushed to Donview Veterinary Centre in Inverurie after eating a box of human anti-inflammatory pain killers called naproxen.

Naproxen, a common medicine that can be bought without prescription to reduce inflammation and pain, is highly toxic to both dogs and cats.

Even eating one of the tablets could potentially have proved fatal or caused acute kidney failure and gastrointestinal ulcers for the pup.

Jack stole the tablets, which had been stored in a ground-level cupboard at his owner Mark Anderson’s home in Aberdeen.

Mr Anderson rang Donview Vets to ask for advice before being advised to bring his much-loved pet to the practice.

The veterinary team induced vomiting and gave him ​liquid charcoal to absorb any toxic fluids in his stomach.

​Jack was also hospitalised and given intra-venous fluids for 24 hours to prevent damage to his kidneys, and sent home with medications to protect his stomach from ulceration.

Mr Anderson, who has owned Jack since he was a puppy, found the ripped up naproxen box and chewed up tablets when he returned home from work at Aberdeen Airport.

He said: “They were in a box under a unit in the kitchen, but Jack is a scavenger so he managed to get in and steal them. Being so young, he has a habit of chewing everything. I found fragments of the tablets on the floor and quickly Googled to check the dangers and then rang the vets.

Donview Vets, Inverurie, Thursday 27rd February 2020
Pictured is Jack the Spaniel with onwer Mark Anderson and Vet Charlie Carnochan
Pictured Left to Right is Charlie Carnochan and Mark Anderson
Picture by Euan Duff / Abermedia
“He knew he had done wrong and was in trouble as he was looking sorry for himself.

“The tablets perhaps weren’t in the best place and we’ll be more vigilant now about what’s at ground level as Jack is so energetic and curious.”

Donview Vets clinical director Charlie Carnochan added: “It was a happy outcome for Jack, but it could have been worse.

“Jack’s owner was quick off the mark to speak to us about it so we were able to take advice from the Veterinary Poisons Information Service and act swiftly.

“We always recommend that medication, including veterinary treatments, is kept out of reach of pets and that owners contact their vets at the earliest opportunity for advice and guidance.”

Did you know that today is Annual Veterinary Receptionist Appreciation Day?

Today is aimed at celebrating the vital contribution of veterinary receptionists who are the first port of call to you, our clients.

Veterinary receptionists not only book all your routine appointments but are also the first person you speak to in an emergency. They try to ensure the smooth running of our day whilst also accommodating each and every emergency whenever they arrive.

It can be a difficult and emotional job – being there and supporting clients experiencing a range of emotions when your pets have to visit us.

So a huge thank you to our lovely team of Gemma, Mhairi, Fiona, Lindsay, Cate, Debbie, Katrina, Louise, Vicky and Ailsa. We don’t know where we would be without you!