A disease is deemed zoonotic (pro: zoh-oh-not-ick) if it can be transmitted from a lower species to humans or vice versa. While the current bad boy coronavirus apparently was transmitted originally from a bat to a human, the CDC says this particular strain has not been shown to infect dogs or cats. In other words, it's not like The Stand where future humans will have to live without canine companions.
Nevertheless, enterprising merchants are marketing masks in various sizes made specifically to fit a dog's snoot. Do they work? Looking at the contraptions, it would appear they can protect even from mustard gas, should the need arise.
In other words, your dog is as likely to contract the new coronavirus as you are to catch feline leukemia. Buy your doggo a can of tennis balls; he'll appreciate it much more.
Nurse Nan
