WASHINGTON: A new study in animal records revealed that pets can be infected with the Alfa SARS-COV-2 variant, which was first detected in Southeast England and was commonly known as the British variant or b.1.1.7.
This variant quickly outcompeted variants that already exist in the UK because of increased transmission and infectivity.
This study explains the first identification of the Alpha SARS-COV-2 variant in domestic pets; Two posts and one positive dog on the PCR test, while two additional cats and one dog featured antibodies two to six weeks after they developed signs of heart disease.
Many pet owners have developed respiratory symptoms a few weeks before their pets are sick and also tested positive for Covid-19.
All pets have acute heart disease, including severe myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
“Our study reported the first cases of cats and dogs that were influenced by the Alfa Covid-19 variant and highlight, more than before, the risk of companion animal can be infected with SARS-COV-2,” said the main writer Luca Ferasin, DVM, “PhD From the Ralph Veterinary Reference Center, in the UK.
“We also report atypical clinical manifestations characterized by severe heart disorders, which are complicated complications in people affected by Covid-19 but have never been explained in previous pets.
However, Covid-19 infection in pets remains a condition that is relatively rare.
And, based on our observations, it seems that the transmission occurs from humans to pets, rather than vice versa, “Luca said.