Skip to content
Home page

    Navigation breadcrumbs

  1. Home
  2. Veterinary topics and resources
  3. All resources
  4. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats
Donate
Home page

Veterinary topics and resources

Find information and resources to support you in your work.
OverviewView all resources

Approaches

Species

Subjects

Library and information services

Access to electronic and print resources focused on veterinary science and animal health and services to support your study and keep up to date with clinical research.
OverviewLibrary login

Awards and prizes

Our awards celebrate achievements and build knowledge that contributes to evidence-based veterinary medicine.
Overview

History

We hold a unique collection of books, archives, artefacts and memorabilia which together offer an insight into the evolution of the British veterinary profession.
OverviewVisit the Vet History website

    Navigation breadcrumbs

  1. Home
  2. Veterinary topics and resources
  3. All resources
  4. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats
18 May 2020

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats

spotlight topic: COVID-19 and animals Experimental studies

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats

Added 18 May 2020 A letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine reports on a small experimental study looking at the nasal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 from inoculated cats and the subsequent transmission of the virus by direct contact (co-housing in close contact) in three pairs of cats. The cats were all between 15 and 18 weeks of age and from a specific pathogen free colony. Nasal and rectal swabs were obtained daily and immediately assessed for infectious virus. None of the cats in the study showed any symptoms, including abnormal body temperature, substantial weight loss or conjunctivitis. All the animals had IgG antibody titres between 1:5120 and 1:20,480 on day 24 after the initial inoculation. This study supports other evidence that cats can be infected with and transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other cats when in close confinement but gives no information on what may happen under more normal conditions. Reference New England Journal of Medicine (2020) Letter to the Editor: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats (13 May 2020)