23 WA Dogs Test Positive For COVID-19 Antibodies In UW Study

OLYMPIA, WA — Nearly two dozen dogs from Washington state have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, indicating they have been exposed to the coronavirus. They are the first animals confirmed to have caught COVID-19 in the state.

The 23 dogs carrying antibodies were discovered thanks to a study helmed by the University of Washington Center for One Health Research, which asked volunteers who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 to allow veterinarians to come to their homes and collect samples and nasal swabs from their pets, to see if the pets had caught the virus from their owners.

The study included most household animals like dogs, cats, hamsters and even ferrets (birds, lizards and snakes were excluded), but UW's particular sampling only found COVID-19 antibodies in dogs. Researchers say its likely other Washington pets have had the virus in the past, but went untested.

“These detections are not a surprise given the other cases reported across the country,” Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Joseph said. “While there is no significant public health risk, we would advise pet owners who are COVID-positive to take measures to protect their pets from the virus.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture both say there is no proof animals play a significant role in spreading the virus to humans. In fact, it's the other way around that pet owners should worry about. UW researchers say their study highlights the risk humans who have the virus may pose to their pets.

“These results indicate that COVID-infected humans are able to transmit the virus to animals living in the same household. While we don’t have evidence that this poses a risk to other humans, we are recommending that COVID-infected persons take steps to reduce the risk of infecting their pets,” said Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, principal investigator for the COVID and Pets Study. “We are continuing this study as the human vaccine rollout takes place, and will be seeing whether any change in household transmission occurs.”

The Washington State Department of Health recommends that anyone who is sick with COVID-19 limit avoid direct contact with pets, or have another house member or friend take care of pets while a patient is in COVID-19 home isolation. If that's not possible, COVID-19 patients should wear masks and wash their hands before and after interacting with pets.

Anyone who has caught COVID-19 and believes they may have passed it to their pet should contact a veterinarian for treatment.

According to the CDC, a number of pet cats and dogs across the country have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past. One ferret was reported positive in Slovenia, and the disease has been a recurring problem in mink farms in the U.S. and several other countries.

There have also been a number of zoo animals who have tested positive for the virus including gorillas and big cats like lions, tigers, pumas and snow leopards.

>> Read more from the CDC on how to protect your pets from a COVID-19 infection.