El brote del nuevo coronavirus está causando temor e incertidumbre en todo el mundo. También se cierne como una amenaza sobre el bienestar de los animales de compañía, ya que mucha gente piensa que sus mascotas podrían propagar el virus y que deberían ponerlas en cuarentena. Preocupa, además, que el miedo lleve al sacrificio despiadado de perros y gatos.
Esto podría conllevar a otras situaciones de salud pública, como incremento de mordeduras y agresiones a humanos y otros animales, atropellamientos resultando en accidentes de tránsito, y posiblemente a un aumento de ocurrencia de enfermedades entre los animales y eventuales zoonosis como la rabia, leishmaniasis, entre otras.
Hemos preparado este cuestionario para disipar dudas y distinguir entre mito y realidad. Nuestro mensaje es simple:
En este momento no existe evidencia científica de que las mascotas sean una fuente de infección ni para otros animales ni para los seres humanos. Nuestra recomendación es que los dueños de mascotas las sigan cuidando y mantengan la calma. El abandono no es, bajo ningún concepto, una opción. Tampoco lo es el sacrificio de animales. Esta pandemia no es, ni puede llegar a usarse, bajo ningún concepto, como una justificación para practicar la matanza despiadada.
Los perros mejoran y enriquecen la vida de los humanos. Los acompañan, protegen sus casas y animales de producción, y son capaces de aprender e incluso de realizar tareas extraordinarias. Adicionalmente, pueden ser de un gran apoyo psicológico para las familias, al reducir niveles de estrés y tendencias suicidas, algo de mucho apoyo en época de distanciamiento social.
¿Puedo sacar a mi perro a caminar?
Lo más importante es que usted siga cualquier regla y recomendación que haya sido comunicada por su gobierno con respecto a salir de casa y mantenerse seguro. Si usted todavía puede salir a la calle y no presenta síntomas del COVID-19, podría sacar a caminar a su perro, evitando el contacto con personas. No hay evidencia de que los perros se pueden enfermar o transmitir el COVID-19 a las personas. Tampoco hay evidencia de que el virus pueda transmitirse a través de las heces. Sin embargo, es de vital importancia que usted recoja las heces y las deseche responsablemente, para respetar la salud pública y a su comunidad. Siempre lávese las manos antes y después de interactuar con su mascota o sus pertenencias y asegúrese de desinfectar todas las superficies de su hogar.
Lo correcto es mantener el aislamiento social, pero también es esencial que su mascota camine y haga ejercicio. Si va a salir con su perro, le sugerimos que siga las recomendaciones de los Consejos Veterinarios, para garantizar la seguridad de todos:
• Las caminatas al aire libre deben ser cortas y enfocadas, solo para satisfacer sus necesidades fisiológicas;
• Solo una persona debe pasear al perro en cada salida;
• Busque lugares menos concurridos y prefiere los momentos más tranquilos;
• Evite el contacto con otros animales y con otras personas.
• De vuelta a casa, limpie las patas de su mascota con agua y jabón neutro, asegurando de limpiar el pelaje entre los dedos. Hable con su veterinario para conocer sobre productos seguros para tu mascota.
Datos de la "OMS"
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The outbreak of the new coronavirus is causing fear and uncertainty worldwide. It also hangs as a threat to the welfare of companion animals, as many people think that their pets could spread the virus and should be quarantined. Furthermore, fear is that fear leads to the ruthless sacrifice of cats and dogs.
This could lead to other public health situations, such as increased bites and attacks on humans and other animals, running over resulting in traffic accidents, and possibly an increased occurrence of diseases among animals and eventual zoonoses such as rabies, leishmaniasis, among other.
We have prepared this questionnaire to dispel doubts and distinguish between myth and reality. Our message is simple:
At this time there is no scientific evidence that pets are a source of infection for either other animals or humans. Our recommendation is that pet owners continue to care for them and remain calm. Abandonment is under no circumstances an option. Neither is animal sacrifice. This pandemic is not, and cannot be used, under any circumstances, as a justification for practicing ruthless killing.
Dogs improve and enrich the lives of humans. They accompany them, protect their houses and production animals, and are capable of learning and even performing extraordinary tasks. Additionally, they can be of great psychological support for families, by reducing stress levels and suicidal tendencies, something of great support in times of social distancing.
This could lead to other public health situations, such as increased bites and attacks on humans and other animals, running over resulting in traffic accidents, and possibly an increased occurrence of diseases among animals and eventual zoonoses such as rabies, leishmaniasis, among other.
We have prepared this questionnaire to dispel doubts and distinguish between myth and reality. Our message is simple:
At this time there is no scientific evidence that pets are a source of infection for either other animals or humans. Our recommendation is that pet owners continue to care for them and remain calm. Abandonment is under no circumstances an option. Neither is animal sacrifice. This pandemic is not, and cannot be used, under any circumstances, as a justification for practicing ruthless killing.
Dogs improve and enrich the lives of humans. They accompany them, protect their houses and production animals, and are capable of learning and even performing extraordinary tasks. Additionally, they can be of great psychological support for families, by reducing stress levels and suicidal tendencies, something of great support in times of social distancing.
Can I take my dog for a walk?
The most important thing is that you follow any rule and recommendation that has been communicated by your government regarding leaving home and staying safe. If you can still go outside and have no symptoms of COVID-19, you could take your dog for a walk, avoiding contact with people. There is no evidence that dogs can become ill or transmit COVID-19 to people. There is also no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through feces. However, it is vitally important that you collect feces and dispose of them responsibly, to respect public health and your community. Always wash your hands before and after interacting with your pet or its belongings and be sure to disinfect all surfaces in your home.
Maintaining social isolation is the right thing to do, but it is also essential that your pet walks and exercises. If you are going out with your dog, we suggest that you follow the recommendations of the Veterinary Councils, to ensure the safety of all:
• Outdoor walks should be short and focused, just to meet your physiological needs;
• Only one person should walk the dog on each outing;
• Find less crowded places and prefer quieter moments;
• Avoid contact with other animals and with other people.
• Back home, clean your pet's paws with mild soap and water, making sure to clean the coat between your toes. Talk to your vet to learn about safe products for your pet.
The most important thing is that you follow any rule and recommendation that has been communicated by your government regarding leaving home and staying safe. If you can still go outside and have no symptoms of COVID-19, you could take your dog for a walk, avoiding contact with people. There is no evidence that dogs can become ill or transmit COVID-19 to people. There is also no evidence that the virus can be transmitted through feces. However, it is vitally important that you collect feces and dispose of them responsibly, to respect public health and your community. Always wash your hands before and after interacting with your pet or its belongings and be sure to disinfect all surfaces in your home.
Maintaining social isolation is the right thing to do, but it is also essential that your pet walks and exercises. If you are going out with your dog, we suggest that you follow the recommendations of the Veterinary Councils, to ensure the safety of all:
• Outdoor walks should be short and focused, just to meet your physiological needs;
• Only one person should walk the dog on each outing;
• Find less crowded places and prefer quieter moments;
• Avoid contact with other animals and with other people.
• Back home, clean your pet's paws with mild soap and water, making sure to clean the coat between your toes. Talk to your vet to learn about safe products for your pet.
