COVID-19 Updates: Important Information for Veterinary Hospital Clients and Animal Owners

*Updated Aug. 7. 

Current Veterinary Hospital Service During COVID-19

The NC State Veterinary Hospital is continuing to expand the number of cases that can be seen, but still operating with some limitations to help keep staff, doctors, animals and clients safe.

Clients are urged to contact the specialty service they wish to see for appointment availability. Cases may still be prioritized based on severity.

At this time, clients are not permitted to enter the hospital and must remain in their vehicles while their pet/animal/patient is being assessed. All communication with the clinical team will be via phone. Additional workup needed could mean a prolonged wait.

Veterinary hospital staff will meet clients in the parking area closest to the building associated with their specific service to bring animals in for care.

Effective immediately, all clients dropping off animals for care are required to wear a protective mask when in contact with hospital personnel or when outside of their vehicle.

For more information and to contact specific service areas click here.

Animals and Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions

Should I be concerned about pets or other animals and COVID-19?

There have now been hundreds of thousands of documented COVID-19 cases in humans around the world. Despite this, there have been only a handful of cases where this infection has been found in pets. For this reason there is currently a very low risk that the virus causing COVID-19 can spread from human to animal. According to the CDC, a small number of pets have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after contact with people with COVID-19.

Though the virus appears to have emerged from an animal source, the CDC says there is no reason to think that any animals in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.

Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick with COVID-19?

If you are sick with COVID-19, you should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would for people. That includes avoiding petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked or sharing food.

If possible, the CDC recommends having another member of your household care for your animals if you are sick with COVID-19.

Since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands before and after being around animals. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html

I’ve seen recent reports of some cases of tigers and domestic cats testing positive with SARS-CoV-2 in the United States. What do I need to know?

Health officials are aware of these recent documented cases of tigers and domestic cats in New York. The USDA provides the following information about each of those specific cases:

Tigers at the Bronx Zoo: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/ny-zoo-covid-19

Domestic Cats in New York: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/sars-cov-2-animals?referringSource=articleShare

More Resources for Information About COVID-19 and Animals:

Centers for Disease Control:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/animals.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Pets-and-Animals

World Health Organization:

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

American Veterinary Medical Association:

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19

United States Department of Agriculture:

https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus

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