Man's Best Friend Is Also Really Good At Fighting Covid - The 11th Hour - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

How are dogs helping humans fight Covid? MSNBC's Brian Williams shares the story brought to us by Reuters in Thailand. Aired on 05/21/2021.

[Duppers]

1. Brian Williams loves dogs!

Those babies are worth their weight in gold.

And thankgoodness dogs are more respected in Thailand than in the M.E. (https://www.businessinsider.com/us-stops-sending-bomb-sniffing-dogs-egypt-jordan-deaths-2019-12)

[Rhiannon12866]

2. OMG! How horrible!

And they will temporarily stop sending these poor dogs?? There should be some sort of reckoning - these dogs are invaluable and highly trained - if they don't know how to treat these amazing pups, they should never, ever be sent there again!

Yes, Brian Williams obviously loves dogs. And they are equally appreciated in this country, from yesterday:

That's A Good Boy: Covid-Sniffing Dogs Screen Guests At Miami Festival - MSNBC
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017657955

[Duppers]

7. Embarrassed that I'm a month late responding

Hitting myself

Very sorry. I'd left this tab on my phone, intending to respond later but, yikes, I just now found it.

I agree, Rhiannon. These pupsters are most valuable in so many ways in helping us humans and should be treated with much respect and gratitude.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Took me a second, but now I remember!

And I agree that this needs to be publicized, there is no way that we should ever stand for this. Highly trained dogs are invaluable, doing difficult jobs that humans are incapable of. Awhile back, I saw a segment on a show about dogs about a group of rescue dogs in France. Not only are they highly trained, the group leader talked about the time and thousands of dollars it takes to train them. And they are very valued, they are only allowed to work for so long, then they need a break to rest and play. I've had dogs for most of my life and I understand the bond...

[Duppers]

9. Same here.

The bond with our fur-babies runs deep.

We lost a dear love last Dec.; hubby & I are still grieving/crying over her. She was a big, tall 120lb yellow Lab & one of the sweetest, most sensitive, gentle souls I've ever known...but aren't they ALL?!
*There may have been some Chesapeake Bay Retriever in her family tree because she was so tall.

Like you, Rihanna, am so grateful to have had so many fur-angels in my life. The ways in which they enrich our lives are immeasurable.

[wnylib]

3. A couple of concerns come to mind

about these dogs. Aren't the dogs at risk of getting covid themselves from inhaling what they are sniffing? And after a dog has sniffed covid and inhaled the virus, is it safe for people to be around the dog?

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Good point, for some reason I thought that they weren't vulnerable - so I looked it up:

What to Do if Your Pet Tests Positive for the Virus that Causes COVID-19
Updated Apr. 2, 2021

What you need to know
If your pet tests positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, isolate the pet from everyone else, including other pets.

Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners.

Only a small number of pets worldwide have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Some pets did not show any signs of illness, but of those pets that did get sick, most had mild disease that could be taken care of at home.

If you think your pet is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, call your veterinarian first to discuss what you should do.

A small number of pets (cats and dogs) worldwide have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with a person with COVID-19. Some pets did not show any signs of illness, but those pets that did get sick mostly had mild disease that could be taken care of at home. Serious illness in pets appears to be extremely rare.

Tests for the virus that causes COVID-19 in animals are available for most types of pets, but testing is only recommended for animals that have symptoms and have been exposed to a person with COVID-19. If your pet is sick and you think it might be from the virus that causes COVID-19, talk to your veterinarian.

The risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. There is no reason to abandon or surrender pets that test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

More: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/positive-pet.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20evidence%20that,very%20sick%20or%20kill%20them.

[wnylib]

5. So if these dogs have frequent exposure

to the virus from repeatedly sniffing it out, they are at risk and should be kept away from other animals and tested regularly. Their handlers are also at risk of exposure through the dogs. It's a low risk, but the handlers should be tested regularly, too.

I was aware of the vulnerability of dogs and cats which is why I asked about it. It's also why I have not let my cat out of my apartment since the pandemic started. She is a thoroughly indoor cat and has never been outdoors. But, before the pandemic she used to follow me down to the laundry room and sniff at the doors of neighboring apartments. She enjoyed the attention of neighbors that she encountered in the hall and had a friendship with a neighbor's Shih Tzu (they are the same size). From what I read, cats are a little more susceptible than dogs.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Glad that you brought this up, I hadn't considered that since I know dogs also can detect cancer

And that's neither a danger to either the dogs or their handlers, but you're right, Covid is a very different and transmittable illness.

And I hadn't thought of either my dog or my cat's susceptibility, either. I got vaccinated at the first possible opportunity, February and March, and I know my vet's office has been extremely proactive. I have taken my dog in more than once during the pandemic - the first time someone wearing PPE (mask and gown) came out and got the dog while I had to wait in my car outside and talk to the vet via my phone. He went back more recently and everyone was still masked, etc. and I was still not allowed in the exam room like I used to be. And the last time I saw my cat's vet we both talked about having been vaccinated. And I just stopped there to pick up his prescription food. At least the vets' offices seem to be taking serious precautions...