When Bruce, a house cat, contracted COVID-19, he became so sick that he had to be fed through a tube for over a month. His owners now believe he may be the world's first cat to suffer from long COVID.
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Cat COVID
According to Metro.co.uk, Catherine Watson and Gordon MacKinnon contracted mild COVID in late November 2021 and passed it onto their pet while they were isolated. The couple had cuddled Bruce and his brother Bernie while they were in isolation since they were unaware of any harm to cats.
Bruce then lost his sense of taste and smell and became so unwell that he had to be fed through a tube in his neck for months. Catherine said, as quoted by the publication:
It was such a scary time. Bruce was so listless, ill and just wouldn’t eat a thing. We now know that’s because he couldn’t smell or taste – a very dangerous thing for cats.
As the couple recovered, they realised Bernie and Bruce were both sick. Bernie bounced back quickly.
When the pair emerged into isolation, Bruce was still not himself. His weight had decreased from 6kg to 5.2kg and was admitted to the hospital and given round-the-clock care. He was also fed and medicated through a tube placed into his nose. Eventually, he tested positive for antibodies. Professor Margaret Hosie, who is an expert in the field said that this was the first time he witnessed a cat loose his sense of smell and taste.
Pets and covid
Although people to pets transmission of the virus is less likely to happen, it can still be fearsome for the pets. COVID directly attacks the smelling and tasting ability that makes it difficult for the pets to function.
Smelling is the most vital sense that pets need to survive, so in case they do catch covid make sure to not put masks on them as it may harm the pets more. And avoid using chemical disinfectants to wipe or bathe them.
The majority of the sick pets just have a minor sickness and are able to fully recover. Pets with symptoms usually have an ailment that can be treated at home. COVID-infected pets may develop the following symptoms:
- Fever/coughing
- Breathing problems or shortness of breath
- Laziness (unusual lack of energy or sluggishness)
- Sneezing
- A stuffy nose
- Discharge from the eyes
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Consult your veterinarian if your pet is unwell and you suspect it is caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Read more:
⋙ Two inseparable cats are looking for a home together
⋙ COVID: 3 precautions you should take to stay safe
⋙ Living with COVID: Here are all the important dates of PM Boris Johnson's plan
