California News Reporter

Online vet consultations had their peak in 2020, and many online dog health magazines have doubled the usual number of visitors to their websites

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions introduced to prevent its spread have changed the everyday life of almost everyone. Since the occurrence of the virus and the first lockdown, an unexpectedly large number of people have searched for information about their dogs’ health issues online. Most people started working from home, and for dog owners, this was an opportunity to spend more time with their pets and to spot any changes in their habits and behavior that had previously passed under the radar. Visits to veterinary stations have become less frequent due to restrictions, which is why the number of online vet consultations has also risen sharply during this period.

“Observing dogs more carefully and detecting changes in their behavior is extremely important because some changes can be a sign of health issues that can have serious consequences if not detected and treated in time. The diagnosis of dog health issues relies many times on the owner’s description of specific symptoms they have noticed. A single information can make a huge difference,” advises Dr. Benjamin Razic (DVM).

For example, changes in eating habits or sudden laziness can indicate a variety of diseases. Under normal circumstances, it can be hard for a dog owner to notice these changes in their pet. Usually, they don’t spend as much time with their dogs as during this pandemic.

Spending more time together has resulted in a stronger bond between dogs and their owners. Isolation and loneliness during the pandemic prompted many people to get their first dog. According to dog shelters, interest in adopting dogs, especially puppies, has increased enormously during this time.

“Life is more exciting with a dog. Science has confirmed that our four-legged companions make us happier and healthier, and the benefits of this companionship are mutual,” concludes Dr. Elvira Sefo (DVM).

Can COVID-19 be transmitted between humans and dogs?

Many dog owners were very curious about COVID-19 in dogs and the possibility of transferring this virus from humans to dogs, and vice versa. Although it is not impossible for dogs to be infected with COVID-19, a very small number of such cases have been reported. “The media often used the term ‘coronavirus’ for COVID-19, and this caused confusion among some dog owners. Scientifically speaking, the term ‘coronavirus’ refers to a group of viruses that includes both COVID-19 and the CCoV virus that causes an infectious canine disease called coronavirus, but which should not be confused with COVID-19. The risk of transfering COVID-19 from humans to dogs, and vice versa, is very low,” observes Dr. Anida Dinarevic (DVM).

Among many other reasons, like the evolution of technology and the rise of active internet users in the USA, the pandemic is also a reason why online vet consultations had their peak in 2020. Many online dog health magazines, like DogMD.net, have doubled the usual number of visitors to their websites. Besides that, many animal shelters created or redesigned their websites due to the increased demand for dog adoption.

Animal health organizations suggest double-checking online dog health advice

Often, online health articles are written by unqualified authors. The fact is that medical advice (online and offline) should only be given by qualified people with a medical background; everything else is considered unlawful. Many kennel clubs and animal health organizations suggest to always double-check if a source is credible. Be especially careful when it comes to recommendations for using home remedies or human medications on dogs; in most cases, this is a bad idea. And don’t be stubborn—if an online article you come across advises you to take your dog to the vet, do it!