Veterinarians have reported an increase in unjustified requests for euthanization by frantic pet owners who are afraid they would catch the novel coronavirus from their pets.
As Sydney’s Southern Cross Veterinary Clinic revealed, the staff have received several calls from people asking them to put their pets down in recent weeks.
As for the reason behind the requests, some pet owners have explained they’re afraid they’re going to catch coronavirus from their dogs and cats.
While the World Health Organization confirmed there’s no proof that the virus could spread from pets to their owners, the coronavirus scare has caused many owners to doubt the government and believe the worst.
“There is no evidence that the human novel coronavirus can infect dogs and it would be incredible for a virus to make so many species jumps in such a short space of time,” professor Jonathan Ball of the University of Nottingham previously reassured.
“The last thing we need to do is create mass hysteria about the possibility of dogs being infected, and therefore potentially transmitting this virus when there is absolutely no evidence for this whatsoever.”
Hundreds of other medical experts and vets have urged the people to stay calm and avoid overreacting.
“If you’d ask the same clients if they’d euthanize their grandma, they’d say no. Why have a pet and treat it differently to how you’d treat another family member?” Dr. Sam Kovac, a vet who works at the clinic that received plenty of worrying calls, said in an interview with 10 Daily.
“If my dog Clara had been infected with [coronavirus], I would isolate her, I would wear protective equipment while interacting with her and feeding her and isolate her for a few weeks.”
Nevertheless, Dr. Kovac slammed pet owners who would put their healthy animals down over unreasonable fears.
The vet also urged people to understand that coronavirus that does affect dogs is different than the one we are currently dealing with.
Joining Dr. Kovac in educating pet owners was also Dr. Kerry Chant, the NSW Chief Health Officer, who last month stated that “domestic pets do not pose a risk of transmission.”
“While the 2019-nCoV may have come from animals, domestic pets do not pose a risk of transmission in Australia,” the chief said.
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