Pet Owners and Veterinarians – COVID-19 Checklist (Ohio Dept. of Health)

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5 years ago / 875 Views

Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH strongly recommends taking the following actions:

For pet owners:

Practice everyday preventive actions to stay health
y around your pets. At this point there is no evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19.
Identify backup caretakers for pets in the event you are confirmed to have COVID-19.
Wear a well-fitted mask and limit interaction with pets and other animals if you are confirmed to have COVID-19 and identified by public health officials as requiring home care and isolation. Service animals should be permitted to stay with their handlers.
Implement practical measures to protect yourself, your family, or pets from this or any other contagious respiratory illness.
While there is no vaccination against COVID-19, always vaccinate pets as recommended by your veterinarian to protect them from other diseases.

For veterinarians:

Veterinarians are encouraged to postpone elective surgeries. Monitor the availability or personal protective equipment (PPE) and implement Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators.
Communicate about COVID-19 with your staff. Share information about what is currently known about COVID-19, the potential for surge, and your facility’s preparedness plans.
Counsel clients on disease prevention practices, including how to stay safe and healthy around pets and other animals.
Post visual alerts (signs, posters) at entrances and in strategic places providing instruction on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette. Ensure prevention supplies are available (tissues, waste receptacles, alcohol-based hand sanitizer).
Double the frequency of and enhance environmental cleanings using EPA-approved disinfectants.

For answers to your COVID-19 questions, call 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634).