SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in Dogs and Cats in the United Kingdom.


Smith, Shirley L, Anderson, Enyia R, Cansado-Utrilla, Cintia, Prince, Tessa ORCID: 0000-0002-8796-2629, Farrell, Sean, Brant, Bethaney ORCID: 0000-0003-1153-5054, Smyth, Stephen, Noble, Peter-John M ORCID: 0000-0002-2275-2014, Pinchbeck, Gina L ORCID: 0000-0002-5671-8623, Marshall, Nikki et al (show 4 more authors) (2021) SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in Dogs and Cats in the United Kingdom. bioRxiv, 2 (06-29). 2021.06.23.449594-. ISSN 2692-8205, 2692-8205

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Abstract

Companion animals are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and sporadic cases of pet infections have occurred in the United Kingdom. Here we present the first large-scale serological survey of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies in dogs and cats in the UK. Results are reported for 688 sera (454 canine, 234 feline) collected by a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology during three time periods; pre-COVID-19 (January 2020), during the first wave of UK human infections (April-May 2020) and during the second wave of UK human infections (September 2020-February 2021). Both pre-COVID-19 sera and those from the first wave tested negative. However, in sera collected during the second wave, 1.4% (n=4) of dogs and 2.2% (n=2) cats tested positive for neutralising antibodies. The low numbers of animals testing positive suggests pet animals are unlikely to be a major reservoir for human infection in the UK. However, continued surveillance of in-contact susceptible animals should be performed as part of ongoing population health surveillance initiatives.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: 3009 Veterinary Sciences, 30 Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Coronaviruses, Infection, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions: Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 02 Jul 2021 10:05
Last Modified: 23 Apr 2026 17:59
DOI: 10.1101/2021.06.23.449594
Related Websites:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3128540
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