I've often asked my vet if my dogs can catch my cold or do they get allergies. Although they cannot catch my cold, they do have allergies and can share some of the same symptoms that we get. With the latest deadly Ebola virus in the news, many people are wondering if our pets can catch the virus or if we can catch the virus from our dogs or cats.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), the chances first of all of our dog or cat getting the Ebola virus is rare since there are no known cases of a pet having the virus, nor is there a known case of a dog or cat in South Africa where the virus is present having the virus. Our pets would have to come into contact with the blood and body fluids of a person sick with Ebola. Therefore, the chance of a pet getting the Ebola virus is very low.
Of course, if a dog or cat lives in the home of a person with Ebola, the animal should be in the care of a veterinarian who will handle the case on an individual basis. It is not known whether the Ebola virus can be transmitted via a pet's fur or paws to spread to other animals or people. Just keep your animal safe, as you would yourself, and avoid exposure to anyone with Ebola.