Can Dogs Get Monkeypox? How to Keep Your Pet Safe From the Virus

Help, will my dog catch the Monkeypox? Can my dog be cured of Monkey pox virus? These are some of the common concerns we see online or get from customers and people who read our blogs.

Since there are viruses that are transmittable from humans to pets, it is no wonder that more pet parents are getting worried about their dogs getting Monkeypox. Monkeypox is the new concern for pet parents who were previously worried about their dogs getting the Coronavirus.

What is Monkeypox?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that was first reported in Western and Central African Countries. The World Health Organization classifies this virus as zootonic, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. or from humans to animals.

Although Monkeypox emerged in a research lab that housed monkeys, apes are not the sole carriers of the Monkeypox virus, also abbreviated as MPXV or MPV. Scientists have also confirmed that the ongoing outbreak is not primarily caused by Monkeys.

So no, you should not be afraid of monkeys. However, maybe you should be a bit wary about rabbits and rodents, and the safety of your dog around these animals. 

When there was a Monkeypox outbreak in the United States in 2003, African rodents that had been shipped to America were behind the outbreak. The rodents were in the same vicinity as prairie dogs, and the dogs were adopted by American homes, hence sparking the 45 Monkey Pox cases that were reported in the same year.

So if you have been wondering ‘Can dogs get Monkeypox?’, the answer is YES.

Early scientific research suggests that the Monkey Poxs virus is more likely to infect rabbits and mice. Although this was a long time ago, there is still reason to be cautious about rodents around your home. 

How do you contract MPXV infection?

Monkeypox virus is transmittable through contact with an infected animal or person. Also, the MPXV virus is transmittable via contaminated materials. Expectant mothers can also pass the virus to their unborn fetus via the placenta. 

Infected animals pass the virus to humans through scratches or bites. Handling infected wild animals or using products made with raw materials from infected animals can transmit the virus as well. 

Health experts also warn us about contracting the virus through respiratory droplets. Moreover, touching materials or surfaces contaminated with the body fluid of an infected animal or human can lead to infection as well.

What are the symptoms of Monkey poxs?

It takes at most 21 days for the MXPV virus to incubate and the symptoms to appear. The symptoms of monkeypox often resemble those of smallpox and may include;

• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever and chills
• Back pain
• Exhaustion

In addition, MPXV infection affects the lymphatic system, causing swollen lymph nodes. It takes about 3 days for the fever to appear followed by a rash all over the body. 

Perhaps the biggest tell-tale sign of Monkeypox is the lesions that appear on various parts of the body. These lesions eventually dry up and become scabs that fall off the body. 

In humans, the viral infection will take two weeks to a month to clear. Although Monkeypox is one of the infectious diseases that can become endemic, its aftermath is not as deadly as the recent Covid-19 scourge. 

Only 1 in 10 people is likely to die from infection with monkeypox. So there is less need for panicking and more reason to observe public health regulations until the MPXV tide dies down. 

At least that is what we know about the Monkey pox symptoms in humans. In dogs or cats, the MPXV infection may also show up as fever and body rashes. Other signs to watch out for include;

• Pink or inflamed eyelids and eyeballs (conjunctivitis) 
• Respiratory problems 
• Incessant cough
• Reduced appetite

How do I protect my dog from Monkeypoxs?

Prevention is always better than cure when dealing with infectious diseases like Monkeypox. And now that we know your dog is at risk of getting infected with MPXV, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure they remain safe and healthy.

Isolation is the first preventive measure against Monkeypox. Any sick person or infected animal should be isolated from the rest of your pets until they fully recover from the MPXV infection.

It helps to book vet appointments on days that are not too busy. Also, ensure that your preferred vet clinic observes the laid down public health regulations to reduce the spread of the disease.

Remember, most cases of monkeypox are transmitted through direct contact. So here are some more tips to keep your dog safe and protected.

• Always wear protective gear like gloves when handling infected animals or humans.
• Wash your hands with soap and clean water after handling a sick animal or touching contaminated surfaces.
• Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you to keep your hands clean and minimize transmission.
• Dispose of all contaminated material such as toys, food, beddings, feeding bowls, or a contaminated dog crate. 
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with an EPA-registered detergent or disinfectant. You can check with your local vet what disinfectants they use and buy something similar. 
• Always wash your laundry with detergent and hot water to kill germs. Wear protective gloves when handling contaminated laundry and always wash with a washing machine because it offers hot-water cleaning. Add a chlorine-based bleach for added protection. 

Can you treat Monkeypox in dogs?

A question we have been getting is “Can you cure Monkeypox with smallpox vaccine?”. Unfortunately, there is no accurate FDA-approved cure for Monkeypox in both humans and dogs.

MPXV treatment is recommended for severe cases where the patient has severe lesions, has evidence of sepsis, or has Monkeypox-triggered hemorrhage disease. Moreover, people with a compromised immune system, infants, and breastfeeding mothers may require treatment. 

For dogs, there is no current cure for Monkeypox but you can manage the disease until the dog fully recovers. Consult your local vet on the available viral medications that can help manage an MPXV infection. Also, we recommend adding Bullyade vitamins and minerals to a dog’s diet to help it recover faster. 

Bullyade is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to boost a dog’s immunity against infectious diseases. Also, Bullyade replenishes lost electrolytes in case your pet developed Monkeypox diarrhea. Lastly, our vitamins and minerals for dogs have a chicken or beef flavor that encourages a dog to eat, especially if it loses its appetite during recovery. 

Find out more about the healthy benefits of Bullyade vitamins and minerals for dogs. Also Buy Bullyade Now to ensure your dog is fully protected from Monkey pox.