Name: Veterinary Services
Brand: The Drake Center For Veterinary Care

The Drake Center is OPEN to service all of your pet’s needs. If you need to set up your pet's appointment, please contact us:

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Video Transcript:

Hi everyone. It's Dr. Michele Drake, from the Drake Center for Veterinary Care and we're here to talk to you today about the coronavirus. There's been an incidence of a dog testing positive. I'm not really sure what prompted them to test a dog in Hong Kong, but this dog did test positive for having some of the virus found in his respiratory system.

The CDC up to this point, that's the Center for Disease Control, has stated there has been no known cases of coronavirus, this particular type, in dogs and there has been no cases of transmission from a dog to a human. There really is nothing to worry about. As always, it's a great idea to wash your hands and should there be a development of more cases in San Diego, we'll come back to you with more information. But currently the AVMA is recommending that if by chance someone in your family does come down with it, that they do not come in contact with the dog much, because we wouldn't want it to be a transfer situation in the house. So just be aware of that, and as always, wash your hands well, and that's probably the best thing we can recommend at this time, and don't touch your face too much.

Updated April 29, 2020

If you have been keeping up with the news, there’s one word that has been buzzing all over the media; Coronavirus, aka COVID-19. The world has been plummeted into uncertainty as we try to take every precaution to prevent the spread of disease among humans. But can Coronavirus affect our pets?

We are going to tackle some of the frequently asked questions regarding coronavirus and what it means for pets and pet owners.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)? What are the symptoms?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.” The virus is believed to be spread through close contact with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath

If you suspect that you may have been infected with COVID-19, please follow the guidelines outlined by the CDC here.

covid symptoms

Image credit: CDC

Can my pet get COVID-19 or spread the virus?

The CDC has stated that “at this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19”. There have also been a small handful of reported cases of pets (2 cats and 1 dog) and a tiger becoming infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after having close contact with a human with confirmed cases of COVID-19. If you are healthy, you can interact with your pets as you normally would. Just be sure to take precautions and thoroughly wash your hands before and after interacting with pets. Treat pets as you would other human family members – do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household. If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets. If you are suspected to have COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19, you should restrict contact with your pets and other animals. Ask a trusted family member or friend to care for your pet until you are healthy and be sure to have a stock of essential supplies for your pet.

What can I do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Practicing good hygiene is key to help prevent the spread of disease. Steps to practice good hygiene include:

Frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Use hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid contact with people who are sick
Stay home if you are sick and wear a face mask if you are sick and around other people
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes doorknobs, counters, desks, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks

Additionally, avoiding close contact with large groups of people is highly recommended during this time. We kindly ask that if you are sick, please refrain from coming to The Drake Center.

hand wash

What is The Drake Center doing to be proactive against COVID-19?

Here at The Drake Center, the safety and health of everyone who comes into our practice is our top priority. During our regular operations, we strive to provide the highest quality of sanitation possible. This includes disinfecting all exam rooms and surface areas after each appointment and practicing good hygiene techniques among staff.

We have also taken the following additional measures:

Staff are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling ill.
Increased deep-cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces throughout the entire hospital, multiple times a day.
We have transitioned to a curbside service for our clients. When arriving to The Drake Center, please remain in your vehicle, call our reception staff at (760) 753-9393 and our staff will be able to assist you while you wait in your car.
Increasing our use of disposable gloves.
Staff are to wear face masks while at The Drake Center.

We are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds and will keep you informed of any updates and changes. If you have any questions or need to schedule your pet’s next appointment, please contact us.