For the veterinarians

from Guideline for Prevention of Transmission of Human COVID-19 To Pets

Rujukan

Veterinary consultations through appointment are recommended to limit crowds at veterinary practices.

Face-to-face consult a. Apply standard preventive measures in veterinary pract including frequent sanitization and handwashing, approp ventilation, social and physical distancing (at least one m apart). b. Maintain physical distancing during handling and restraining. c. The area must be labelled accordingly. Limit chairs to ensure safe physical distance d Clear all unnecessary items in the waiting area e. Only one healthy adult is allowed to accompany the pet. f. Provide an appointment proof through letter or email. g. Face masks are compulsory for clients and practice staff insid and outside the premises h Perform only necessary procedures for the case i. Hand sanitizers should be provided, and clients should be reminded to disinfect their hands each time they touch any area/surfaces (e g , prompt/ cue at the entrance of the practice/ consultation room) j Maintain hygiene at all times, disinfect work surfaces between patients. Please refer to page 6 for recommended hygiene practices

Identify specific entrance and/or exit doors where clients safely enter and leave your premises (i e , provide instructions or directions).

Dispensed medication and pets must be handed over to the client by staff

Online payment is preferred over a cash transaction. If the pet requires hospitalization, visitation of pets is discouraged Only one healthy adult is allowed to visit if the pet is in critical condition

Routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is NOT recommended. Veterinarians are strongly encouraged to rule out other, more common causes of illness in animals before considering testing for SARS-CoV-2

For the veterinarians

Risk Assessment for considering COVIDtesting in pets (asymptomatic or ha clinical signs suspic SARS-CoV-2 infectio

● Animal with a history of exposure to a person or animal suspected or confirmed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2.

*NOTE: Veterinarians are encouraged to consider other, more common, causes of illness in animals and use their clinical judgement when deciding whether or not to test animals for SARS-CoV-2 All decisions to test an animal should be made in coordination with relevant public health and animal health officials (DVS).

Veterinarians should consult the nearest State Department of Veterinary Services for any suspected cases. Any positive cases need to be reported to State Department of Veterinary Services and/or Crisis Management Center at DVS Putrajaya at: Hotline tel no: 03-8870 2041; Email: adic@dvs.gov.my; Fax no: 03-8888 6472

Guideline For Prevention of Transmission of Human COVID-19 to Pets

References

1 Dróżdż, M, Krzyżek, P, Dudek, B, Makuch, S, Janczura, A, & Paluch, E (2021) Current State of Knowledge about Role of Pets in Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses, 13(6), 1149

2. Gonzales, J. L., de Jong, M. C. M., Gerhards, N. M., & van der Poel, W. H. M. (2021). The SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Number R0 in Cats Viruses, 13(12), 2480

3 Sila T, Sunghan J, Laochareonsuk W, et al Suspected Cat-to-Human Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Thailand, July-September 2021 Emerg Infect Dis 2022;28(7)

4 World Health Organization (WHO) "Hygiene: Overview" https://wwwcdcgov/hygiene/fast-factshtml

5 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) How to Determine a Close Contact for Covid19 https://wwwcdcgov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposedhtml

6 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) SARS-CoV-2 in animals https://wwwavmaorg/resourcestools/one-health/covid-19/sars-cov-2-animals-including-pets

7 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) What You Should Know about Covid19 and Pets https://wwwcdcgov/healthypets/covid-19/petshtml

8 Virginia Department of Health Testing and Management of an Animal Positive for SARS-CoV-2 in VA https://wwwvdhvirginiagov/coronavirus/get-the-latest-guidance/health-professionals/veterinarians/testingand-management-of-an-animal-positive-for-sars-cov-2-in-va/

9 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Recommendations for the epidemiological investigation of SARSCoV-2 in exposed animals – SARS-CoV-2 detection in farmed and companion animals FAO Animal Health Risk Analysis – Management, No 2 Rome https://doiorg/104060/cb7140en

10 British Small Animal Veterinary Association Dog and cat triage guidance for use during Covid19 pandemic in the United Kingdom https://wwwbsavacom/Portals/0/education/documents/triage-guidancepdf?ver=202003-27-171545-433&timestamp=1585329349520

11 World Animal Health Organization Infection with SARS-CoV2 in animals https://wwwwoahorg/app/uploads/2021/11/en-factsheet-sars-cov-2-20211025pdf

12 World Small Animal Veterinary Association WSAVA Advice for Pet Owners during the COVID-19 Pandemic https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Pet-Owners WSAVA-Animal-Welfare-Advice-duringCOVID-19pdf