Your Pet and Ebola

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For a large portion of the population the family pet is a member of the family. Especially for the elderly and disabled a pet is more than just an animal but perhaps the only company and assistance with daily living they may have. I admit my sadness when the family pet “Excalibur” of the Spanish healthcare worker Teresa Romero who contracted Ebola through her nursing duties was put down by the Spanish government as part of their effort to contain the virus in their country. However, I do understand their fear that the dog could contract and suffer from the virus. See that story here >> Scuffles in Spain as Ebola victim’s dog put down

The first healthcare worker to contract Ebola in the United States Nina Pham also has a pet dog “Bentley”. In this case Dallas officials had included the possibility that those stricken with this deadly virus could have a family pet and have made arrangements for the dog to be quarantined and cared for during the patients life saving treatment. That story can be found here >> Unlike in Spain, Dallas Ebola patient’s dog will be saved

All this planning for or  the lack of preplanning in some areas by the CDC and other government agencies for the possibility of pet exposure leads to the question on the minds of many pet owners….. can my house pet a cat or a dog become infected with this virus and if they do can they spread it to humans or other pets? How will the pet react to the virus? Will they suffer as their human counterparts do from the horrors of this disease? Has there been any research on this subject? I am a pet owner and love my animals as members of my family so I did some looking around and this is what I found.

URGENT: Can Dogs and Cats Get Ebola?

As research and frankly time passes and we learn more about this virus we will also learn more about protecting ourselves and our family pets from it. As that happens we here at The Prepared Page will bring you updated information to help you protect yourself and your beloved pets from infection. Until then, we urge you to not live in fear but with caution and wish you all the best of good health!