Muzzles

His name is Wynn, he is on the frontline of Denver’s fight against the Covid-19, who offers comfort and cuddles to the doctors.

How exactly is he helping the medics?  - he visits the emergency room at Rose Medical Center and is trained to become an assistance dog to adults, children and veterans with disabilities for the non-profit organization Canine Companions for Independence.

But really, how is he making an impact? – he is showing love to emergency room doctors, who are taking a break from their shift. He is sitting next to them while also listening to meditating music.

Before doctors can cuddle Wynn, they are required to wash their hands in order to prevent the possible spread of germs.

The dog owner, Ryan, believes that dogs can have a positive impact on doctors and nurses during this difficult time. 'Seeing stuff and hearing stuff that you can't unsee has an impact on you,' she said. 

'That's where the dogs come in. When you are in the presence of the dog and petting them you are taking a moment to ground yourself at that present time.' 

Wynn will be under the Ryan’s care until she is 22 months old, and then she'll move on to a professional training program at one of the organization's training centers.

More than 520,427 coronavirus cases have been confirmed until today, with over 23,595 deaths. In the United States, there are 81,714 confirmed cases with over 1,143 deaths. 

Pets dispel loneliness and anxiety, bring joy and maintain the well-being of those around them, many studies show, and not under normal circumstances, but in the isolation required during this period to limit the spread of coronavirus, they prove to be more than that.

After craving for a pet, Barney, the cavalier King Charles spaniel, could not have arrived at a better moment, says Marie Brown. “We picked him up the day before lockdown. The timing is a godsend.”

The puppy has helped her children, aged 12 and 15, adjust to life at home in Sevenoaks, Kent, without school, sport or much of a social life.

"I brought Barney home the day before the isolation was imposed. It was a perfect timing, "a woman confessed to The Guardian.

Barney is a king charles spaniel knight, and after a few years when the woman's two 12- and 15-year-olds insisted on a puppy, he entered their lives. Barney now helps them adapt to life in self-isolation, without school, without too many outdoor activities and without social life.

"Certainly Barney makes us less stressed and raises our morale," says the woman. He borrowed his neighbors' dog Somewhere in north London, Honey, a two-year-old cockapoo, smiles on the lips of a doctor struggling to withstand the crisis of coronavirus. "When my husband enters the house, she is there, waiting for him at the door. The next moment, he is on the floor and playing with Honey.

You can see how stress and fatigue and anxiety disappear, ”says a woman living in Highgate, London.

He borrowed his neighbors' dog

Somewhere in north London, Honey, a two-year-old cockapoo, smiles on the lips of a doctor struggling to resist the coronavirus crisis.

"When my husband comes into the house, she is there, waiting for him at the door. The next moment, he is on the floor and playing with Honey. You see how stress and fatigue and anxiety go away, ”says a woman living in Highgate, London.

Someone else borrowed his dog, a griffin brussels named Loki, to the neighbors, "for their own good and his."

"We remember that life goes on"

"He is very sociable and cannot understand how he went from being treated like a star to seeing me and my husband daily," says Loki's mistress. "We are reminded that life goes on" Belle and Little Tyke, two London cats, are a comfort to a mother and her 11-year-old son living in Birmingham.

"We realized that when it all goes wrong, it is very nice to have them near us - we are reminded that life goes on," says the owner of the two cats.

The kid confesses that every time he feels worried or sad, he takes Little Tyke in his arms and immediately feels better.

The 18-reptile boy

Not only dogs and cats can be perfect pets. An 18-year-old from Wales says his reptiles have helped him overcome anxiety and depression.

It has 18 animals, including turtles, snakes and lizards. His favorite is Lily, a nine-month-old Argentine lizard.

"I have a special connection with her. I put my hand on the floor and run at me like a puppy, ”says the young man, for the British newspaper.

Animal adoptions in the UK have increased

Animal shelters have seen an increase in the number of adoptions in recent weeks, although most of them have been closed to the public.

"A dog is for life, not just for isolation", draws attention to Dogs Trust, the NGO that launched the famous slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" / "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas ”.

Old people are the one that pass through the coronavirus pandemic very hard. This is the moment when a lot of people unite and help each other, at the same time respecting the social 

-distancing. Neighbors started helping each other and finding solutions to do this for the old generation, that now can’t get out of their house.

Sunny is a golden retriever, that helps the neighbor, Renee, to get her groceries. Renee is strictly respecting the social-distrancing, and spent her time at home, being in serious isolation, so she even can’t get out to the store. She is an old women, who has serious respiratory problems and can be easily infected.

Recently, Sunny, the dog, got famous for delivering goods to the neighbor, offering a helping paw to Renee. Sunny’s owner, Eveleth, is knowing very well her neighbor, Renee, they are living near each other for nearly a decade, so of course knowing of Renee health problems.

It is known that COVID-19 is dangerous to people who have underlying conditions, which means some health problems, especially respiratory problems. So, to protect herself, Renee decided to strictly self-isolate. That was the moment  when Eveleth decided to make Sunny her neighbor’s delivery dog.

The delivery is done very simple: “She got the list, she gave it to Sunny, Sunny brought it to me. I went to the store, got her groceries, and he delivered them all to her,” mentioned Eveleth.

Sunny’s assistance is not harmful for Renee, that makes it even better than a person’s help, according to the World Health Organization, dogs can’t get or pass COVID-19 to humans. “There is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19,” the organization said in its statement.

People with COVID-19 can infect their pets with the new coronavirus. The reverse is almost impossible, according to experts. However, this is not the case for all animals. Bemorepanda informs you.

 

Italian researchers tested 540 dogs and 277 cats in households, where people had tested positive for COVID-19, or in areas severely affected by the pandemic, such as Lombardy. The scientists detected antibodies against the virus in 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats.

 

Studies on a relatively large number of animals confirm the premise that pets can be infected by humans with SARS-CoV-2, but vice versa is very unlikely. Tests taken from the mouth, nose and throat tested negative in all animals. Cats and dogs were tested between March and May 2020.

What you need to know

• If your pet tests positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, isolate the pet from everyone else, including other pets.
• Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.
• Only a few pets have been confirmed to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Some pets did not show any signs of illness, but those pets that did get sick all had mild disease that could be taken care of at home. None have died from the infection.
• If you think your pet has COVID-19, call a veterinarian first to discuss what you should do.
• Pets with confirmed infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 should be restricted to isolation in the home until a veterinarian or public health official has determined that they can be around other pets and people.

 

What to do if your pet gets sick

• Keep your pet at home, except to get medical care
• Talk with your veterinarian regularly. Call before you take your pet to the veterinary clinic. Be sure to alert your veterinarian if your pet has trouble breathing, or if you think it is an emergency.

 

While most pets appear to show only mild symptoms or no symptoms, we are still learning about how they are affected by the virus. Even if your pet appears to be feeling better, avoid the following activities until your veterinarian determines that it is safe for your pet to do so or your pet has met the guidance to end their isolation:

• Visits to veterinary hospitals, without calling the veterinarian first
• Visits to human healthcare facilities or schools
• Visits to parks (including dog parks), markets, or other gatherings such as festivals
• Visits to the groomer, including mobile grooming salons
• Visits to pet daycares or boarding facilities
• Other outings such as playdates, hikes, or visiting other homes, with or without pets
• Using dog walkers or pet-sitters that live outside your home

Separate your pet from other people and pets in your home

• Have the pet stay in a designated “sick room” (such as a laundry room or extra bathroom) if possible, or otherwise be separated from people and other animals. This is the same way a person with COVID-19 would separate from others in their household.
• Avoid contact with the pet as much as possible, including, petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food or bedding.
• If possible, provide a separate litterbox or bathroom area from other pets.

 

DOGS: If you have a private backyard where your dog can go to the bathroom, do not take them for walks. If you must walk your dog, limit it to bathroom breaks only, stay close to your home, and keep your pet at least 6 feet away from other pets and people. Do not let other people touch or interact with your dog.

CATS: Cats should be kept inside. Do not allow cats that have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 to roam outside.

CLEANING UP: There is no evidence to suggest that waste from infected pets needs any additional disinfection. Wear gloves when cleaning up after your pet, and place fecal material or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before disposing. Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after cleaning up after your pet.

• Provide bedding, bowls or containers, treats, and toys that are separate from those used by other people or animals in the household.
• Disinfect bowls, toys, and other animal care items with an EPA-registered disinfectant

external icon and rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards.

• Soft items like towels, blankets, and other bedding, can be safely laundered and reused. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill animal can be washed with other items.

 

Monitor your pet’s symptoms

It is important to keep track of your pet’s symptoms during home isolation. If you think your pet has new symptoms or is getting worse, call your veterinarian.

Pets sick with COVID-19 may have:

• Fever
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Lethargy (unusual laziness or sluggish)
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Eye discharge
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

 

Follow all care instructions from your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may have you keep a written log of your pet’s symptoms.

If your pet develops new symptoms or seems to be getting worse, including trouble breathing, you should call your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian may be able to advise you over the phone or may tell you to bring your pet to their clinic or go to another clinic that can better care for your pet.

Protect yourself when caring for a sick pet

• Follow similar recommended precautions as for people caring for an infected person at home.
• If you are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, another household member should care for the pet, if possible.
• People should wear a mask and gloves in the same room or area as the sick pet.
• Animals should not wear a mask. Do not try to put a mask on your pet.
• Use gloves when handling the pet’s dishes, toys, or bedding and when picking up feces (poop). Throw out gloves and place waste material or litterbox waste in a sealed bag before throwing away in a trashcan lined with a trash bag. Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after cleaning up after your pet.
• Clean your hands regularly throughout the day.
• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each Make sure everyone in the home does the same, especially after touching the sick pet or handling their dishes, toys, or bedding.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and then disinfect:
• Follow cleaning and disinfecting recommendations found on CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
• Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

 

There is no evidence that viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to people or other animals from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. Using chemical disinfectants on your pet could make them very sick or kill them. Talk to your veterinarian​ if you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet.

 

Copyright © 2020 Bemorepanda Limited. All Rights Reserved.

The content available on the Bemorepanda.com website can be copied and republished in the limit of 200 characters and in the limit of 10 pictures and must include the URL of the article. It is forbidden to completely copy the material and place it anywhere else without indicating the link and the full name of the page.

People with COVID-19 can infect their pets with the new coronavirus. Conversely, it is almost impossible, according to experts. However, this does not apply to all animals.

   

Italian researchers tested 540 dogs and 277 cats in households, where people had tested positive for COVID-19, or in areas severely affected by the pandemic, such as Lombardy. The scientists detected antibodies against the virus in 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats.

 

Studies on a relatively large number of animals confirm the premise that pets can be infected by humans with SARS-CoV-2, but vice versa is very unlikely. Tests taken from the mouth, nose and throat tested negative in all animals. Cats and dogs were tested between March and May 2020.

 

Pets do not spread the virus

Researchers say this extensive study is very useful. According to Thomas Mettenleiter, president of the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI) in Greifswald, the results are not surprising: "Confirm what we already know." However, a study with such a large number of pets is welcome. "Samples are not easy to obtain."

 

Contact with the pet should not be reduced (picture-alliance / dpa Themendienst / K. Neumann)

Healthy people should not restrict contact with pets

 

The study therefore confirms the FLI researchers' assumption that dogs or cats have not yet played a role in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The decisive factor is the transmission from person to person. "We start from the premise that the virus is usually transmitted from humans to animals," says Mettenleiter. Therefore, FLI considers that healthy people have no reason to restrict contact with their pets. On the other hand, patients infected with coronavirus should avoid contact with pets in order not to infect them.

 

Animals do not die from coronavirus infection

So far, Mettenleiter claims, there is no evidence that the animals could die from coronavirus infection. Even if pets contract the virus, it does not automatically mean that it can spread to animals and then spread through nasal, coughing or fecal secretions.

 

In addition, researchers at FLI have found that there is currently no evidence to confirm that pigs, chickens and other farm animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. The institute is currently conducting experiments with several species of animals. According to the initial results, ferrets and fruit bats are sensitive to the virus, but chickens and pigs are not. Cattle studies are still in their infancy.

 

Outbreaks of coronavirus on farms

Scientists are also investigating how the virus reached mink farms in the Netherlands and Spain, infecting almost all the animals kept there - that is, whether farm staff infected the animals or vice versa.

 

Precautionary measure in mink farms in the Netherlands: over one million animals have been killed

 

The outbreak of coronavirus on mink farms near the Spanish town of La Puebla de Valverde, a village of 500 inhabitants in northwestern Aragon, was discovered after 14 employees tested positive for the new coronavirus in late May. Two other employees became infected after the farm was closed.

 

Outbreaks in the Netherlands began in April. During the examinations, veterinary professor Wim van der Poel, from the University of Wagingen, found that the strain of virus found in mink is similar to that circulating in humans.

"I suspected that it might be transferred to humans (from animals)," van der Poel said. Which happened to at least two farm employees.

 

Authorities killed more than a million miners

As a precautionary measure following the outbreak, the Spanish authorities ordered the killing of more than 92,000 minks on the farm. 90 percent were infected with the new coronavirus.

 

In the Netherlands alone, more than 1.1 million minks, which have spread the virus, have been killed, the Dutch Food and Consumer Safety Agency said.

 

There are about 160 mink farms in the Netherlands. The country is the fourth largest fur producer in the world, after Denmark, China and Poland. Spain has 38 mink farms, most of them in Galicia.

 

Copyright © 2020 Bemorepanda Limited. All Rights Reserved.

The content available on the Bemorepanda.com website can be copied and republished in the limit of 200 characters and in the limit of 10 pictures and must include the URL of the article. It is forbidden to completely copy the material and place it anywhere else without indicating the link and the full name of the page.