A dog’s breed might be a factor in how vulnerable they are to coronavirus, according to animal experts.
After the first dog in the United States, a pug, contracted COVID-19, Annie Harvilicz, chief medical officer for Animal Wellness Centers hospitals, told the New York Post that pugs could be more susceptible to the illness because of their respiratory systems.
This week, a North Carolina pug named Winston tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first recorded domestic case in dogs. Multiple members of Winston’s family had previously tested positive for the virus.
“Pugs have brachycephalic syndrome. This gives them the appearance of a shortened snout but causes them to have upper respiratory issues,” Harvilicz explained. “It’s possible that being a pug made him more susceptible to the virus.”
She said other “brachycephalic breeds,” which include bulldogs, chow-chows, and Shih Tzus, could also be at a higher risk.
Harvilicz also said that dogs that get exposed to higher viral loads, meaning more of the virus, are probably more likely to show symptoms. Winston’s family opted to have their two dogs and a cat tested, although only Winston had the virus.
“This pug lived in-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,” Harvilicz said.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance urging pet owners to enforce social distancing for their furry friends. The guidance came after Winston’s infection. Two pet cats have also tested positive for COVID-19 in the country since the pandemic began.
