As the Covid-19 variants spread in humans, veterinarians have observed for the first time cases of infection with a British variant in pets. Out of seven animals tested, three were positive for the B.1.1.7 variant.
The first cases of infection of cats and dogs by the British variant
For the first time, virologists have demonstrated the presence of infection with a British variant in pets. This is the B.1.1.7 variant identified in the United Kingdom. Indeed, Luca Ferasin and his colleagues at a veterinary clinic in the south-east of England reported, in a report published on March 18, 2021 on the BioRxiv website, the first cases of infection of cats and dogs by the British variant of SARS-CoV-2. It is a French team based in Montpellier at the “Infectious diseases and vectors, genetic ecology, evolution and control” laboratory (Mivegec) of the Research and Development Institute (IRD) which, after analyzing the biological samples sent from London, has confirmed the results.
An upsurge in myocarditis causing suspicion
It all started when vets in the cardiology department at the Ralph Veterinary Referral Center (Buckinghamshire) noticed a sudden increase in myocarditis cases in dogs and cats between December and February at their clinic near London. They thus observed an increase in the incidence linked to this pathology which went from 1.4% to 12.8% in companion animals. Specifically, the rate was 8.5% in cats and 4.3% in dogs. Although they had no history of myocarditis, the affected animals suddenly exhibited signs characterized by sudden onset lethargy, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and some even experienced syncope. .
Three animals tested positive for variant B.1.1.7
In view of the numerous cases of myocarditis, the British veterinarians with the help of the Montpellier team, carried out blood tests, oro- and nasopharyngeal swabs and rectal swabs in seven animals (six cats and one dog) admitted in the establishment between January 22 and February 10, 2021. Results? Of the seven animals tested, three were positive and carriers of the B.1.1.7 variant. As for the other four, two of the animals were diagnosed as having been infected before. For the time being, if there is still no official proof that the virus is responsible for myocarditis in dogs and cats, future studies should make it possible to establish a link between the pathologies.
