Coronavirus In Dogs: What Breeds Are More Vulnerable To The Virus?

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world and humans are trying everything possible to keep themselves away from the virus and to curb its spread. But what came as a shock was animals have started testing positive for the virus.

Reports about animals testing positive for the coronavirus have been reported from different parts of the world. Even though studies show that the chances of the virus being transmitted from animals to humans are very little, people are now worried about their pets falling prey to the virus.

Humans with respiratory issues are among those worst affected by the coronavirus, and this applies to canines too. Earlier this week, Winston, a 2-year-old pug in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was reported to be the first dog in the U.S. to test positive for the virus. Although cases of other dog breeds being tested positive for the virus have been reported from different countries, animal experts say pugs are more likely to be vulnerable to the virus.

According to Annie Harvilicz, a veterinarian and chief medical officer for Animal Wellness Centers hospitals, pugs, which are popular and one of the most loved dog breeds due to their short and squished-looking noses, are prone to having weak lungs.

“It’s possible that being a pug made him (Winston) more susceptible to the virus,” Harvilicz told local media.

“Pugs have brachycephalic syndrome. This gives them the appearance of a shortened snout but causes them to have upper respiratory issues,” she said.

Winston started showing mild symptoms after his owners were diagnosed with the virus. Harvilicz noted that the dog had been more at risk because he’s a prolific face-licker.

“This pug lived in the house with a dog that didn’t contract the virus. It could be that Winston had a higher viral load because he was always licking faces,” she said.

Other dog breeds with similar features of a flat face and a short neck are also likely to be vulnerable. Bulldogs, Chow-Chows, and Shih Tzus all fall under this category. They are often referred to as “brachycephalic breeds.”

The studies conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the risk of animal-to-human transmission is low but it doesn’t hurt to practice basic social distancing guidelines for pets too.

The CDC’s extended coronavirus social-distancing guidelines for pets released earlier this week recommended that pooches should stay away from other canines and also avoid dog parks.

According to Marty Irby, Executive Director at Animal Wellness Action, “The virus can stay on a dog’s fur… I’d be looking for anything that might be on the ground, possibly spit or moisture, during walks.”