WSU testing for COVID-19 in pets

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL), on the Washington State University campus in Pullman, has tested two cats in connection with COVID-19.

Both felines were quarantined with people who were positive for COVID-19. The testing being done is to determine if either cat was infected and, more importantly, if they are able to carry and spread the virus.

Both animals were negative for the virus.

According to a WSU press release, the question of infection in animals is important because in a study done in 2003 with the previous SARS outbreak, domestic cats and ferrets could be infected with the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) coronavirus and could pass it to other cats and ferrets. Disease experts would like to know if this is a possibility for the current virus causing COVID-19.

Testing first involves securely collecting swabs from around the external openings of the animal’s nose and from the back of the mouth near the throat by qualified veterinarians as approved by the State Veterinarian. Once collected, samples are securely packaged according to federal regulations for biological materials shipment and transported to WADDL. Testing currently is done twice weekly, however WADDL has the capacity to scale up if necessary, potentially even turning emergency sample results within two hours.