Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
Canine Coronvirus (CCV) is NOT the same as COVID-19.
It is very UNLIKELY that your bulldog will acquire COVID-19 from you, or for your bulldog to transmit COVID-19 or CCV to you. Nevertheless, Stress and fear could weaken both ours and our bulldog’s immune system, making us both more vulnerable to a disease of any kind. Therefore, the best “cure” and means to persevere is PREVENTION and CALM.
For the most current COVID-19 pandemic news and how it impacts your bulldog and French bulldog see HERE
There are many types of species-specific Coronavirus, examples are:
HUMAN Coronavirus: Attacks men’s and women’s respiratory tract and as far as we know is transmitted by nondomestic animals.
- COVID-19 transmission is believed to have happened by a non-domesticated animal from a meat market in China.
- SARS transmitted by non-domesticated animals possibly bat’s
CANINE (DOG) Coronavirus: can affect the respiratory and the digestion tracts of dogs. it can be transmitted from one dog to another.
- Canine Corna Type 1 (CCV, Canine Corona Virus) affects the intestinal tract
- Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Infection (CRCoV) affects your bulldog airways.
It is critical that you understand the difference between the CANINE CORONAVIRUS and the HUMAN CORONAVIRUS (like COVID-19)
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs COVID-19 GENOME:
COVID-19 genome sequence was traced to wild animals, so far that sequence was NOT identified in domesticated pets. To our knowledge, neither you nor your bulldogs are at risk of passing COVID-19 to one another.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- COVID-19 in PETS: so far NO pets in the United States have been identified with the COVID-19 virus.
- HUMANS to BULLDOGS: There is NO good evidence that bulldogs and French bulldogs or other pets can contract COVID-19.form people.
- PETS to HUMANS: There is NO evidence that bulldogs and
French bulldogs or other pets can transfer COVID-19 to people.
VACCINES & TREATMENT COVID-19: There is no antiviral agent proven to be effective for this disease, and there is no pet COVID-19 immunization available.
EMERGENCY PLANING: You should include your bulldogs, French bulldogs and other pets as part of your emergency planning.
PREVENTION: As I have been advocating in my three decades of practicing medicine and again in the centerpiece of my “bulldog maintenance” teaching and mission statemnt – “An ounce of PREVENTIVE is worth a pound of CURE.”
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs COVID-19 RULE OF THUMB:
If you have a positive COVID-19 family member, you should implement the same rules to protect your bulldogs as you would do with protecting other family members:
DISTANCE: keep a safe distance from your bulldogs and French Bulldogs, a minimum one meter (stand straight, lift both hands horizontally, palm to palm would be about a meter)
PLAN B: if someone in your household is COVID-19 positive it will be best to have your bulldogs stay with a close family or friends.
MASK: the COVID-19 positive house member should wear a mask to protect both family members and pets.
WASH HANDS: wash our hands for 1 minute before and after you touched your bulldog or any other pets.
KISSING: avoid kissing your bulldogs and French bulldogs, instead give them a treat while telling them how much you love them.
SNUGGLE: avoid snuggling with your bulldog or/and French bulldog instead give them a treat while telling them how much you love them.
WALK & EXERCISE: if you are COVID-19 positive, have someone else walk and exercise your bulldogs for you.
FOOD & SUPPLIES: make sure your bulldogs have at least 2-4 weeks supply of food, supplements and medicine.
Canine Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CCV TIPS & WARNINGS :
Canine Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs GENERAL HYGIENE TIP : Most organisms and microorganisms infection passed from pets to people are by fecal-oral contamination, that is why such transmission are much more likely in toddlers.
- Fecal: remove pet feces from your yard as soon as possible.
- Fecal Test: bring a poop sample to test for worms and protozoa.
- Vaccine: vaccinate your pet with the core canine vaccines, for bulldogs I recommend core vaccines every 3 years after completing the puppy series
- Hands Wash: Wash yours and your kid’s hands after contact with your bulldogs
- Flea Preventive: use proper flea preventative
- Heartworm: use proper heartworm preventatives
- Annual & Wellness Checkups: Have your bulldogs come for their puppy, adult and senior Dr. wellness exam and check out.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs COVID-19 TRANSFER FROM BULLDOG TO PEOPLE Tip: As far as we know, bulldogs CANT/DO NOT transfer COVID-19 to people.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs COVID-19 TRANSFER FROM PEOPLE TO BULLDOGS Tip: it is very unlikely that bulldogs and other dogs can contract COVID-19 from people.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs COVID-19 TRANSMISSION WARNING: Regardless of what we currently know about dog/human COVID-19 and CCV transmission, you should remain vigilant and practice good hygiene.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs TRANSMISSION TO OTHERS WARNING: Remember, there are other organisms such as intestinal parasites like Giardia and various bacterium that can be passed from between pets and humans.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CCV PRESENTATION:
The most common clinical presentation of bulldogs and French bulldogs infected by the Canine Corona Virus is (CCV) vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, lethargy and loss of appetite.
As I have been advocating in my three decades of practicing medicine and the centerpiece of my bulldog maintenance teaching, “An ounce of PREVENTIVE is worth a pound of CUREa.”
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CCV TRANSMISSION:
As far as we know the Canine Corona Virus (CCV) can only be transferred from one dog to another dog, we do not know of any case that CCV was transferred to people.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CCV INFECTION:
Just like the Canine Parvo Viruses, CCV is contracted by contact with infected feces.
Active infection is more likely to occur in bulldog puppies due to their incompetent immune system.
CCV Infection is also more likely in bulldog who are:
- Malnourished bulldogs
- Immune-compromised ill bulldogs
- Bulldogs taking immune suppressant drugs
- Bulldogs under stressful conditions
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CCV TREATMENT:
- Sanitary conditions: provide clean and sanitary surroundings, clean food and water dish
- Avoid crowding conditions: such us doggy pound, pet stores, breeders kennel, and shelters
- CCV Vaccine: are not part of your bulldog core vaccine but at times recommended.
- Quality nutrition
- Reduced Stress and Anxiety
- Supplements that boost the immune system SUCH AS:
- Reduced stress like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Calm & StressLess
- Immune Boosters, like Dr. Kraemer’s V4B Bully Immune & Healing
- Multivitamins like Dr. Kraemers V4B Bully Multivitamins Plus
- Digestive Enzymes, Pre and Probiotics like Dr. Kraemers V4B Bully Pre & Probiotic Formula
Hospitalization: severe cases might need supportive treatment that includes IV fluid, electrolytes, anti-nausea, and possibly antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection.
In general, most bulldogs and French bulldogs infected with CCV are asymptomatic and exhibit NO illness.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CRCoV PRESENTATION:
Canine Respiratory Coronavirus Infection (CRCoV) typically causes mild upper respiratory symptoms but also can present as a more severe form. As with most causes of CIRDC (Bulldog and French Bulldog Kennel Cough), they might present with:
- Cough: harsh “hairball” like nonproductive cough
- Nasal discharge
- listless and depress
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
CRCoV is a type 2 Canine Corona and is part of the Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), known by most of you as “bulldog and French bulldog KENNEL COUGH”, a respiratory condition common to shelter and boarding dogs.
Co-infection with other KENNEL COUGH pathogens is common.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CRCoV TRANSMISSION:
Transmission is usually by air though some might also be transmitted by Fecal-Oral like CCV.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CRCoV TREATMENT:
Treatment is supportive and aimed at preventing secondary bacterial infections.
Corona Virus Transmission and Risks in Bulldogs and French Bulldogs CRCoV PREVENTION:
Strategies for the prevention of canine respiratory coronavirus CRCoV infection in bulldogs are non-specific and similar to those utilized for bulldogs and French bulldogs “kennel cough”
- Stress Reduction (can add supplements like Dr. Kraemer’s Bully StressLess & Calm chews)
- Immune Boosters (can add supplements like Dr. Kraemer’s Bully Healing & Immune Support chews)
- Quality Diet and Nutrients. (can add supplements like Dr. Kraemer’s Bully MultiVitamins Plus chews)
- Strict Isolation
- Adequate Ventilation
- Proper Cleaning & Disinfection
- Reduce Fomite Spread.
The virus does not persist in the environment for extended periods of time, routine sanitation procedures are likely to be sufficient.
