Cohort - Sample collection
A total of 22 cats and 11 dogs were sampled from veterinary clinics (in
the Paris or Grand Est area) or the pet hospital of the Alfort
veterinary school (CHUVA) in April 2020. All animals selected in this
study showed clinical signs and belonged to owners confirmed or
suspected of having COVID-19. The clinical pictures reported were
anorexia, hyperthermia, lethargy, diarrhoea, cough, bronchopneumonia,
respiratory distress. Cats and dogs ranged in age from 6 months to 16
years and 2.5 months to 14 years respectively.
Serum, nasopharyngeal (NP) and rectal (R) swabs were collected and
stored at -80°C until analysis. The time between sampling and the
appearance of the first symptoms ranged from 0 to 21 days depending on
the animals.