Coronavirus (COVID-19) Introduction The recent novel coronavirus disease has placed the world in mortal terror and consternation. There has been a few cases that have been reported in Kenya causing public fear and anxiety. Doubt is fuel for fear and this can be more harmful than the actual COVID-19. This article will give you a general overview of COVID-19 so that you are armed and avoid being a victim of public misinformation. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that is caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-coV-2). This disease as it is now famously known, COVID-19, is thought to have started in December, 2019 in Wuhan province, China. This has spread across the world causing unprecedented public health pandemic. Transimission of COVID-19 from Animal to Human (Zoonosis). There are many coronaviruses that affect many species and are classified as positive-sense RNA viruses, of which can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and neurological diseases in their hosts. In wild life, bats are natural reservoir host of a large diversity of coronaviruses and recent researches have attributed the emergence of novel coronaviruses as being of public health and veterinary importance. Three such viruses emerged in the last 17 years, they include: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus in 2002, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in 2012, and the Swine acute diarrhoea syndrome (SADS) coronavirus in 2017. With the emergence of SARS, MERS and SADS, it is now widely accepted that coronaviruses are capable of readily adapting to new hosts. Coronaviruses were also detected as potential pathogens in Malayan pangolins, and which has showed a complex genetic relationship with SARS coronavirus. A study by Ping and et al concluded that the increased number of deaths of Malayan pangolins that were smuggled into China was caused by different types of SARS-CoV virus that were isolated from them. The spread of virus from animals to human is suspected to have started in a fish and wildlife market in Wuhan City, China. This was through handling of wild life animals like the pangolins and not necessarily from eating them. Spread of COVID-19 from persons to person. The transmission of COVID-19 virus has been largely between person to person through touching or inhaling of nasal or oral droplets from an infected person or surfaces. An infected person may not necessarily show any symptoms of the disease during the incubation period. To curb this virus, we have to take personal responsibilty and change our social traditions of shaking hands, hugging or pecking our loved ones. Does COVID-19 affect pets? Dogs contract certain types of coronaviruses, such as the canine respiratory coronavirus which in many cases are mild and therefore not considered to be a threat. In addition, there is no current evidence that has shown pet animals can be a source of infection of COVID-19. Recent reports in Hong Kong mentioned of a 17 year old pomeranian whose owner had COVID-19, tested positive but had not shown any symptoms of the disease after being quarantined. Professor James Wood from the university of cambrige intimated that finding low level of virus in a dog exposed to a confirmed human case is not particularly surprising. It is notable that none of the dogs whose owners were ill from COVID-19 have come down with the virus. Therefore, dogs do not need face masks to be protected or passing the virus to their owners. However, it is recommended that people who have tested positive of COVID-19 to limit contact with their pets until more scientific information is available to the public. How does the pet owner protect themselves and their pets from COVID-19 ? There are no vaccinations that are available for COVID-19 for pets and human at the moment. Since the virus has not been known to affect pets, there are no specific measures that pet owners can take to protect their pets except, maintaining good hygienic measures to avoid any parasite or infection that can be transmitted to them. However, pet owners can take the following measures to protect themselves: References. Ping liu, Wu Chen and Jin-Ping chen (2019): Viral Metagenomics Revealed Sendai Virus and Coronavirus Infection of Malayan Pangolins (Manis javanica) Viruses 11(11), 979. Markotter, W., Geldenhuys,M., Jansen van Vuren,P., Kemp, A., Mudakikwa, A., Nel,L., Nziza,J., Paweska,J and Weyer,j.(2019); Paramyxo- and Corovirunes in Rwanda bats. Trop Med Infect Dis.4(3):99 Shi-Yan,R., Rong-Ding, G., and Ye-Lin,C. (2020): Fear can be more harmful than the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in controlling the corona virus disease 2019 epidemic. World J Clin Cases. 8 (4): 652-657. Science media center.org/expert reactions to media reports of a dog in hong kong being tested weak positive for corona virus.

Itchy Pet!!! Have you had situations where your pet is itchy all over the body instead of running around or taking long deserved naps?  Itchiness is one of the most common problems afflicting pets and is normally a sign that you need to give more attention to your pet. This is a sign of an inflammatory condition on the skin that can be as a result of various ailments or parasites. The most common cause of itchiness in pets, especially in cats and dogs can be caused by fleas, mites and ticks. Fleas can be spotted crawling or presence of “flea dirt” or Flea poo (dark sand like materials) on the skin is a sign of infestation. This presents as generalized itchy skin with papules spread across the body, especially at the base of the tail. Mites would cause a disease called mange, are opportunistic infestation especially in puppies, kittens and the geriatrics. They are not visible to the naked eye will cause itchiness around the eyes, mouth and many times generalized infestation all over the body. Mange is one of the zoonotic diseases that can pass from your pet to pet owners or members of the family. Ticks are relatively easy to spot where they mostly hide on the ears, behind the neck, between the paws and around the base of the tail. Ticks not only do they create discomfort from their bites, they are agent carriers of deadly diseases like tick fever (Babesiosis). This tick borne infection is a serious threat to dogs and can cause long standing disease or even be fatal if not treated. Tick fever is also a zoonotic disease when the same infected tick bites human. Mosquito or fly bite will cause hypersensitivity commonly seen on the head, neck, ears and along the bridge of the nose. Mosquito bite induces immediate reactive (type1) hypersensitivity to both cats and dogs. A bacterial infection on specific patches of the skin is another common cause of skin ailment that cause incessant itchiness on your pet. It also known as canine pyoderma, and is uncommon in cats. It presents as small hairless patch with pus or matted hair that appears to be wet having an awful smell. Canine pyoderma can spread rapidly within days, creating such uncomfortable condition to your pet. Yeast or fungal infections are common cause of itchiness in dogs and cats. This is also one of the zoonotic skin infections that can be passed to pet owners. They affect all parts of the body especially on the ears, legs and flanks of the pets. Fungal infections present with generalized itchiness and emanating a foul yeast smelling odor. Yeast infections are secondary problem or opportunistic infections from an underling cause like stress like pregnancy, poor diet, and unclean environment, prolong use of antibiotics, hormonal or other diseases that suppress the immune system. Yeast infections are easily diagnosed when the pet is presented to the doctor for examination. Another common cause of an itchy pet can be caused by allergy or Atopy or most commonly known as canine allergic dermatitis. This is mainly caused by food, inhalant or contact irritant, allergy to bacteria, yeast on the skin or flea allergy. Atopy can be due to hereditary nature of the disease especially in some breeds of dogs like Golden retrievers and German shepherds. Repeated exposure to otherwise harmless substances like grass, dust mites and mold will cause flare ups of itchiness and skin irritation. Dogs can be allergic to an ingredient in their food; especially food that is not of good quality will create an allergic reaction that develops over a long period of time. Food allergies can be frustrating and difficult to identify because of their mundane nature of gradually causing irritation over time. Your pet might pick bad habits from boredom by licking a particular area excessively creating an itchy patch on the skin. As a result, inflammation and infection will follow. This condition, also called lick granuloma, can also be associated with presence of foreign body, trauma, mites, allergies and bacterial or fungal infections. Other causes of itchiness are endocrine or hormonal diseases like Hyperadrenocortism, Hypothyroidism and Estrogen responsive dermatosis. These are easily spotted when your pet is presented to a veterinarian for examination. Itchiness is extremely uncomfortable to your pet and it is advisable you rush your pet to your vet for examination and treatment. This will ultimately improve on the well being of your pet, and by extension improves on your wellness. Dr. Anderson Gitari.  BVM. Mvet Surgery. The Andys Veterinary Hospital. References Hobi S., Linek M., Marignac G., Olivry T., Beco L., Nett C., Fontaine J., Roosje P., Bergvall K., Belova S., et al. (2011): Clinical characteristics and causes of pruritus in cats: A multicentre study on feline hypersensitivity-associated dermatoses. Vet.Dermatol.22:406–413.  Bond R., Riddle A., Mottram L., Beugnet F., Stevenson R. (2007: Survey of flea infestation in dogs and cats in the United Kingdom during 2005. Vet. Rec;160:503–506. Noli C., Foster A., Rosenkrantz W. (2014): Veterinary Allergy. Wiley Blackwell; West Sussex, UK: 2014. pp. 249–251. Noli C., Foster A., Rosenkrantz W.(2014): Mosquito bite. Wiley Blackwell; West Sussex, UK: 2014. pp. 267–270. Olivry, T and Mueller, R.S. (2017): Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (3): Prevalence of cutaneous adverse food reactions in dogs and cats. BMC Vet. Res. Hillier, A. and Griffin, C.E.( 2001):  The ACVD task force on canine atopic dermatitis (X): Is there a relationship between canine atopic dermatitis and cutaneous adverse food reactions? Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol: 81:227–231.