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Pets And COVID-19: What You Need To Know
Chicagoans have become familiar with how COVID-19 is spread from
person to person and what types of safety measures they should be taking during this
time.
But WBEZ has gotten several questions from pet owners who are wondering
about the risks to their furry friends, things like--are cats and dogs
susceptible to the virus and who will care for my pet if I get hospitalized with
COVID-19?
Scientists recently confirmed the first cases of COVID-19 in domestic pets-
two cats and two dogs. But science journalist David Grimm says researchers, at this
stage, believe the risk of transmission is low because the cell biology of animals
is so different from humans.
Still, there are precautions people need to take.
In this episode, we explore how to best care for your pets right now, what
to do if a pet owner gets sick with the virus and how our furry companions may also
be responding to the emotional stress their owners might be experiencing right
now.
More about our questioner
Dr. Samuel Farbstein is one of several people who asked WBEZ questions
about pets and COVID-19. Samuel was wondering about whether his two dogs, J.C. and
Benji, could possibly contract the virus and if they would be contagious if they
did.
He’s an internist at DuPage Medical Group and has been reading all the
medical literature about the novel coronavirus so he can up with his patients’
questions and concerns. He thinks J.C. and Benji sense he’s under an unusual kind of
stress, and says they’ve tried to offer him some comfort.
“I [spent] 8 hours at my computer dictating yesterday and [both dogs] were
basically at my side making sure I couldn't walk without stepping on them,” Sam
says. “They knew I needed it; they know I'm under stress. They read us
well.”
Jesse Dukes is the Curious City audio producer. You can follow him
@CuriousDukes.
View all episodes
By WBEZ Chicago
4.6
647647 ratings
Chicagoans have become familiar with how COVID-19 is spread from
person to person and what types of safety measures they should be taking during this
time.
But WBEZ has gotten several questions from pet owners who are wondering
about the risks to their furry friends, things like--are cats and dogs
susceptible to the virus and who will care for my pet if I get hospitalized with
COVID-19?
Scientists recently confirmed the first cases of COVID-19 in domestic pets-
two cats and two dogs. But science journalist David Grimm says researchers, at this
stage, believe the risk of transmission is low because the cell biology of animals
is so different from humans.
Still, there are precautions people need to take.
In this episode, we explore how to best care for your pets right now, what
to do if a pet owner gets sick with the virus and how our furry companions may also
be responding to the emotional stress their owners might be experiencing right
now.
More about our questioner
Dr. Samuel Farbstein is one of several people who asked WBEZ questions
about pets and COVID-19. Samuel was wondering about whether his two dogs, J.C. and
Benji, could possibly contract the virus and if they would be contagious if they
did.
He’s an internist at DuPage Medical Group and has been reading all the
medical literature about the novel coronavirus so he can up with his patients’
questions and concerns. He thinks J.C. and Benji sense he’s under an unusual kind of
stress, and says they’ve tried to offer him some comfort.
“I [spent] 8 hours at my computer dictating yesterday and [both dogs] were
basically at my side making sure I couldn't walk without stepping on them,” Sam
says. “They knew I needed it; they know I'm under stress. They read us
well.”
Jesse Dukes is the Curious City audio producer. You can follow him
@CuriousDukes.
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