A global leader in veterinary diagnostics and software has today revealed it has seen NO positive covid-19 results in pets to date after testing thousands of cats and dogs.
Idexx Laboratories, based in Maine, USA, said these new test results align with the current expert understanding that the coronavirus is primarily transmitted person-to-person and supports the recommendation against testing pets for covid-19.
“Should leading health authorities determine it is clinically relevant to test pets for the covid-19 virus, Idexx will be ready to make the test available,” said Jay Mazelsky, president and CEO.
The test used is called the Idexx SARS-CoV-2 (covid-19) RealPCR test.
“Pets are important members of our family, and we want to keep them healthy and safe. We will continue to monitor covid-19 and pet health across our global Idexx Reference Laboratories network as this situation evolves,” Jay said.
Dr. Chris Kremer, a vet with Idexx’s Companion Animal Commercial Business, said: “The global understanding of covid-19 is ever evolving. As part of our research we reviewed more than 5,000 specimens submitted to Idexx reference laboratories for respiratory tests of sick cats and dogs in 17 different countries.”
