In the backdrop of the fast spreading novel coronavirus (nCoV) from China, a confusion has risen in the minds of pet owners as they realise their dogs are given a vaccine for canine coronavirus.

“I’ve got almost 40 enquires since the disease hit the headlines,” says vet Aparajita Chakraborty, who runs APC Pets Speciality Clinic and Refferal Care at Kankurgachhi and Keyatala.

Vet Krishanu Ghosh, who sits at Animel Planet’s outlets including at BD Block and New Town, says out of the 10-odd vaccination cases he gets a day, one or two are certainly asking about coronavirus. “Especially if I happen to mention it as one of the components of the vaccine,” he says.

Vet Saibal Chattopadhyay clears the air. “Canine coronavirus affects dogs, not humans. It is a gastric issue causing diarrhoea, vomiting etc. nCoV affects humans and there is no evidence of it affecting dogs or pets. It is respiratory in nature,” says the vet, who has had to repeat this for four or five patient parties already. In Salt Lake, Chattopadhyay sits at Prathik Pet Clinic at AE Block.

Ghosh explains that the vaccine for canine coronavirus has been around since the 1970s. “Although different vets have differing opinions most believe it should be administered every year as part of the 10-in-1 vaccine that protects dogs against diseases like parvo and distemper. It is part of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (Wsava) guidelines too. Canine coronavirus is rare but mortality rate is high. It usually happens along with parvo.”

Lack of awareness

Such panic has the nCoV created that even pet owners who never vaccinated their dogs before are landing up for shots, says Chakraborty. “The level of awareness is abysmal, even in an urban setting like Calcutta. People pet tens of cats but have never even heard of vaccinating or spaying them, let alone actually walking the talk. Compare this to the stringent measures countries like the US take to control diseases like rabies and you see how far behind we are,” she notes.

Ghosh agrees. “2020 has just begun I’ve already had four to five cases of parvo. This means pet owners are not taking care to give their pets the required shots,” he says.

In case you have missed the date for your dog’s shots, go and get it now. “Better late than never,” says vet Nurul Islam, who sits at Pet Dog Creche And Clinic, run by New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), near the Candor Techspace building. “Your dog will remain at risk till the vaccine in injected and takes effect so get it done immediately.”

Islam, however, asks pet parents to beware of unfounded rumours and fake news. “I myself received a WhatsAap message claiming birds are getting nCoV, which is not true. Please verify what you read and hear from reliable sources.”

Do you take your pet for regular shots? Write to The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6 Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abpmail.com