CDC guidance for COVID-19 may be adapted by state and local health departments to respond to rapidly changing local circumstances.

  • This interim guidance is for veterinarians and their staff who may be treating or advising on companion animal medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Veterinary facilities have unique characteristics that warrant additional infection control considerations.
  • At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Based on the limited data available, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. We are still learning about this virus, and it appears that in some rare situations, people can spread the virus to animals. Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the virus, and the role animals may play in the spread of COVID-19.
  • Postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent veterinary visits. Make a plan to support sick and injured pets through telemedicine and/or curbside services.
  • Proactively communicate to both staff and pet owners the need for them to stay at home if sick.
  • Develop a plan for what to do if a pet owner with respiratory symptoms comes into your clinic, or if a pet with a history of exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 becomes sick.

Who this guidance is for: Veterinarians and veterinary staff providing care to companion animals

Purpose:  The intent of this guidance is to facilitate preparedness and to ensure practices are in place in a veterinary clinical setting to help people and animals stay safe and healthy.

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is a rapidly evolving situation. CDC will update this guidance as needed, and as additional information becomes available. States may have their own specific requirements for these circumstances. Please check the CDC COVID-19 website periodically for updated information as well as interim guidance.

Note: The scientific name of this novel coronavirus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In people, the disease caused by the virus is called Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. In the context of animal health, we refer to the disease as SARS-CoV-2.

What do we currently know about animals and COVID-19?

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, is thought to be spread primarily through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking. Airborne transmission over long distances is unlikely. The virus has been shown to survive in aerosols for hours, on cardboard for up to one day, and on plastic or steel for up to three days. There are also reports that people may be able to spread the virus while pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic. We are still learning about this novel zoonotic virus, and it appears that in some rare situations, human to animal transmission can occur.

CDC is aware of a small number animals, including dogs and cats, reportedexternal icon to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 after close contact with people with COVID-19. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently reportedexternal icon a confirmed infection of SARS-CoV-2 in a tiger with a respiratory illness in New York, which is the first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in an animal in the United States, as well as the first confirmed infection in a tiger in the world. Several other big cats (tigers and lions) in a neighboring enclosure at the zoo also developed a mild respiratory illness, but all are expected to recover. Officials believe this tiger was likely infected by a zoo employee, suggesting person to tiger spread. Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by SARS-CoV-2.

Limited information is available to characterize the spectrum of clinical illness associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals. Clinical signs thought to be compatible with SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Advise veterinary clinic staff who are sick to stay home

Follow CDC’s guidance on what to do if you are sick. Ask staff to stay home if they are sick.  Employees who appear to have symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, or shortness of breath) upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors and sent home. Inform the staff’s team members if they have been exposed to a potential COVID-19 case, while maintaining confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Notify the local health department of the potential exposure as well. Ill staff should not return to work until their fever (defined as ≥ 100.4°F) is absent for at least 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, other symptoms have improved, and at least 7 days have passed since symptom onset.

Implement sick leave policies for veterinary clinic staff that are flexible, nonpunitive, and consistent with public health guidance, allowing employees to stay home if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.

Follow CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting areas the sick employee visited. If possible, staff should each have their own workspace/equipment and avoid sharing desks/work tools. If these items must be shared, they should be frequently disinfected.

Critical workers, like veterinarians and their staff, can be permitted to continue to work following a potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the workplace. Consider having everyone who enters the clinic, including employees and visitors, wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth to contain respiratory secretions, unless engaged in an activity that requires some form of PPE.

Postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent veterinary visits

Many jurisdictions recognize veterinary practices as essential and are allowing them to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, but considerations should be made to protect human and animal health. To protect staff and preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary clinics should postpone elective procedures, surgeries, and non-urgent visits, and prioritize urgent and emergency visits and procedures until regular business operations resume in your community.

The greatest risk of COVID-19 exposure to staff at veterinary clinics comes from person-to-person transmission through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, which is the main way SARS-CoV-2 spreads. Clinic staff should be screened daily, at the beginning of shifts prior to interacting with staff and clients and should practice social distancing. Clinics should take precautions to minimize staff contact with all pet owners. Examples of actions to take to minimize contact with pet owners or other people include:

Have a plan in place to handle animals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 exposure, or potentially compatible clinical signs. Veterinarians should contact their state public health veterinarianpdf icon or state animal health officialexternal icon for guidance on testing animals for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Screen pets for exposure to people with COVID-19

Before scheduled appointments or upon arrival, a staff person should ask if the pet has had any exposure to a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Know actions to take if a pet owner has suspected or confirmed COVID-19

If a pet owner currently has respiratory symptoms or is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, they should not visit the veterinary facility. Consider whether a telemedicine consult is appropriate. If possible, a healthy friend or family member from outside their household should bring the animal to the veterinary clinic. The clinic should use all appropriate precautions to minimize contact with the person bringing the animal to the clinic. If there is an emergency with the animal, the animal should not be denied care.

  • If a pet owner is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 and must bring their pet to the clinic, the following actions may be taken:
    • Communicate via phone call or video chat to maintain social distancing.
    • Retrieve the animal from the owner’s vehicle (also called curbside) to prevent the owner from having to enter the clinic or hospital.
    • Maintain social distancing and PPE recommendations when interacting with clients.
    • Request smaller animals be brought in a plastic carrier to facilitate disinfection after use. Also advise the owner to leave all non-essential items at home to avoid unnecessary opportunities for additional exposure.
  • Critical workers, like veterinarians and their staff, can be permitted to continue to work following a potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the workplace.

Clinical signs in animals

The clinical spectrum of illness for the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains largely undefined in animals. Animals may present with respiratory or gastrointestinal clinical signs based on the presentation of other coronaviruses more commonly found in animals as well as other emerging coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 infection.

Clinical signs expected to be compatible with possible SARS-CoV-2 infection in mammalian animals may include:

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Lethargy
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal/Ocular discharge
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Given current limitations in knowledge regarding COVID-19 and companion animals, these PPE guidelines use a cautious approach. Recommendations may change over time, as new information becomes available.

Minimum Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recommendations Based on Animal History

1PPE Standard Precautions should be applied in any setting where veterinary care is delivered and may include use of gloves or protective eyewear depending on the type of procedure and if exposure to fluids, exudates, feces, saliva, or other animal fluids is possible.

2A SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 exposure in this context refers to the following conditions within the 14 days prior to presenting for veterinary care:

  • Being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; close contact can occur while an animal is living with, being pet, snuggled, giving kisses or licks, and/or sharing food or bedding with a person.
  • Having direct contact with infectious secretions from a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed, sneezed or spit on, sharing food or consuming an object that was recently contaminated with an infected person’s mucous or saliva).

3Reusable (i.e. washable) gowns are typically made of polyester or polyester-cotton fabrics. Gowns of these fabrics can be safely laundered according to routine procedures and reused.

4Respiratory protection that is at least as protective as a fit tested NIOSH-certified disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirator is recommended.

  • If an N95 respirator is not available, use a combination of a surgical mask and a full face shield.
  • Respirator use should be in the context of a complete respiratory protection program in accordance with OSHA Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134), which includes medical evaluations, training, and fit testing.

5 Clinical signs expected to be compatible with possible with SARS-CoV-2 infection in mammalian animals may include:



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