During the current human Monkey Pox outbreak there is a significant likelihood that pet animals may come into close contact with people infected by Monkey Pox virus. The Monkey Pox virus doesn’t easily spread person to person. It can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (surface of your eyes, gums etc). It is likely that animals are not easily infected by a positive person either, but infection would be via the same routes.

Similar to the general advice on COVID-19, if you think you may have been in contact with someone affected by Monkey Pox virus or you suspect you are infected or have tested positive then you should take precautions to stop other people and animals from becoming infected. Therefore, you should:

  • Wash your hands regularly, including before and after you meet animals and pets.
  • Minimise contact with your pet(s) and your pet’s items such as bedding, bowls, water bottles, feeders, and toys.

Monkey Pox virus can be transmitted via droplets or from shed skin lesions and can survive in the environment for a substantial period, so steps to not only minimise direct contact with your pet(s) but also to avoid contaminating their environment are very important.

If your pet needs veterinary attention, you should call your veterinary practice and if your pet needs to be examined by a vet you need to alert the practice about Monkey Pox. Non-urgent pet appointments, such as for vaccination, weight checks, grooming etc, should have appointments delayed until no-one in the house is isolating and the pet has observed a further 21-day isolation from the time that the last infected person came out of isolation.

The appearance of symptoms caused by Monkey Pox virus, including the presence of visible skin changes, will depend on the species and age of your animal. Individual animals may not present any symptoms of infection but may still carry the virus on their fur.

Possible symptoms of Monkey pox are:

  • Increase in body temperature
  • Appetite changes
  • Conjunctivitis and/or discharge from eyes
  • Coughing or sneezing or wheezing 
  • Skin changes which may or may not appear itchy
  • Possible small swellings visible under the skin (these are due to reactions in the animal’s lymph nodes which are situated in specific areas of the body. They form a defence system to stop infection spreading around the body)

For more information please see http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/Vets-info/guidance-advice-to-pet-owners-monkeypox.pdf