Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses consisting of multiple sub-groups that are commonly found in humans and other mammals, birds and reptiles. Coronaviruses get their name from their spiked surface proteins, or corona, which is Latin for crown. Coronavirus infections in animals, such as feline enteric coronavirus, are usually alpha coronaviruses.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is a unique coronavirus that infects the human respiratory tract and differs from previously identified coronaviruses infecting humans or veterinary patients. SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for this COVID-19 respiratory outbreak in humans, is a beta coronavirus.

COVID-19 was first detected in China with an initial outbreak in the city of Wuhan. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have originated from bats. Since its emergence in late 2019, COVID-19 has spread to locations around the globe.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports, ‘Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organisations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.’ Leading health authorities do not recommend testing pets for the COVID-19 virus as it is primarily transmitted person to person. 

IDEXX evaluated thousands of canine and feline specimens during validation of a veterinary diagnostic test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have seen no positive results in pets for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak in humans. The specimens used for test development and validation were obtained from sample specimens submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories for diagnostic PCR panels. 

For dogs or cats presenting with respiratory symptoms, the recommendation is to contact a veterinarian to test for more common respiratory pathogens.

IDEXX does not currently offer a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The current expert understanding is that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted person to person, supporting the recommendation of leading health authorities not to test pets for the virus. If leading health authorities determine it is clinically relevant to test pets for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, IDEXX is ready to make the IDEXX SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RealPCR Test commercially available.

IDEXX evaluated thousands of canine and feline specimens during validation of a veterinary diagnostic test for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have seen no positive results in pets for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus strain responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak in humans. The specimens used for test development and validation were obtained from sample specimens submitted to IDEXX Reference Laboratories for diagnostic PCR panels. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and pet health across our global IDEXX Reference Laboratories network as this situation evolves.

For dogs or cats presenting with respiratory symptoms, the recommendation is to contact a veterinarian to test for more common respiratory pathogens.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses consisting of multiple sub-groups that are commonly found in humans and other mammals, birds and reptiles. Alpha coronaviruses are common coronaviruses that cause respiratory or gastrointestinal disease in our veterinary patients. 

• The IDEXX Comprehensive Canine Respiratory Disease (CRD) RealPCR Panel includes the IDEXX RealPCR Test for canine respiratory coronavirus. Canine respiratory coronavirus contributes to canine infectious respiratory disease complex (also known as infectious tracheobronchitis or ‘kennel cough’). This panel is not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 
• IDEXX Comprehensive Diarrhea RealPCR panels include IDEXX RealPCR tests for canine, equine, ferret and feline enteric coronavirus. Enteric coronaviruses can cause intestinal infection leading to diarrhoea, particularly in younger animals. These panels are not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 
• IDEXX FIP Virus RealPCR Biotype (Add-on to Feline Coronavirus RealPCR Test) detects the most common mutations causing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a mutated form of feline enteric coronavirus resulting in severe, generally fatal, systemic inflammatory disease. This test is not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 
• IDEXX IBV Ab Test detects gamma coronavirus. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes a highly contagious viral disease in chickens that is usually manifested as a respiratory condition. This test facilitates the monitoring of the immune status in large flocks. This test is not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
• IDEXX RealPCR TGEV RNA Mix tests for swine enteric coronaviruses. Severe outbreaks of enteric coronaviruses, characterised by acute and rapidly spreading diarrhoea, are threatening swine operations worldwide. This test is not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
• IDEXX Rota-Corona-k99 Ag Test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that differentiates between rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli infections by antigen detection. Bovine coronaviruses may cause diarrhoea in calves. They can also cause winter dysentery, with bloody diarrhoea, mild respiratory signs and decreased production in adult cattle. This test is not a test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.