How do I test my cat for Covid?

Animal Health Diagnostic Center

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Testing Protocols & Interpretations

Abortion Samples
Anaerobic Transport Media Inoculation Protocol
Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Babesia Testing
Anthrax Sample Collection and Shipping Guidelines
Apixaban Anticoagulant Monitoring
Aseptically Collecting Bacterial Culture Samples at Necropsy
Avian and Reptile Estimated White Blood Cell Count
Blood Culture Technique
Bovine Enteric Aerobic Culture and E. coli Genotyping PCR
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Persistently Infected Animals
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Technique
Brucella Multiplex Testing for Dogs
Bulk Milk Tank Testing
C-Reactive Protein
Canine Adrenal and Pituitary Function Tests
Canine Influenza H3N2 FAQ
Canine Influenza H3N2 Updates
Canine Influenza Virus
Canine Reproductive Function Tests
Canine Thyroid Testing
Canine, Feline and Equine Metabolic Function Tests
Citrate Plasma Samples
Clinical Chemistry
Clinical Pathology Panels and Guidelines
Comparative Coagulation Submission Guidelines
Coronavirus PCR Guidelines
Culturing Technique for Contagious Equine Metritis
Cytology
Dermatopathology Samples
Endocrinology Submission Guidelines
Environmental Mastitis
Equine Cytokine 5-plex Assay
Equine Enteric Coronavirus
Equine Female Reproductive Testing
Equine Infectious Anemia Testing
Equine Male Reproductive Function Tests
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) Testing
Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) Testing
Equine Thyroid Testing
Feline Adrenal and Pituitary Function Tests
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) RT-PCR
Feline Reproductive Function Tests
Feline Thyroid Tests
Flags for Review of CBCs
Gram Stain Protocol
Hematology
Hemophilia B in German Pointers
Heparin Monitoring
Hepatopathology Specialty Service
Hygiene Recommendations for Horse Handlers
Immunology
In situ hybridization
Johne’s Direct Fecal PCR Test
Johne’s Disease Program
Keeshonden PHPT Genetic Test
Klebsiella Mastitis Prevention and Control
Leptospira Microagglutination Testing
Lyme Disease Multiplex Testing for Dogs
Lyme Disease Multiplex Testing for Horses
Minnesota Easy Culture System II
Mycoplasmal Mastitis
OFA Testing
Parasitology
Pet Food Testing for Possible Contamination
Pooled BVD PCR Testing
Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT)
Protein C Activity Assay
QMPS DC305 Pathogen Codes and Information
Quantitative D-Dimer Assay
Rabies Samples
Rabies or Canine Distemper?
Regulatory Testing Tips
Rivaroxaban Anticoagulant Monitoring
Salmonella Rapid Surveillance
Salmonella: Bacterial Culture and PCR Testing Explanation
Samples Requiring Nucleic Acid Extraction
Sampling for Toxicology Screens
Sensititre Antimicrobial Panels
Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease (SPAID)
Staph aureus Herd Infection Control
Streptococcus agalactiae (Strep ag)
Streptococcus equi Strangles Culture
Strongyloides papillosus
Thyroid Testing Interpretation
Urinalysis
Virus Isolation Diagnostic Testing
Vitamin K Deficiency
West Nile Virus Diagnostic Testing
Zonisamide

CVM
Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Testing
Testing Protocols & Interpretations

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) RT-PCR

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is a common viral infection in cats. It generally causes asymptomatic infection, but can cause mild diarrhea. As yet poorly understood changes in the virus can give rise to mutants that lead to the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Most cats infected with a FCoV eliminate virus following infection, but some cats may develop a persistent infection. These cats are generally asymptomatic, can shed large amounts of virus in feces, and serve as a continual source of infection for other cats in the environment. Continual circulation of FCoV within a cat population may increase the chance that a virulent FIP strain might emerge. While the pathogenesis of FIP is poorly understood, it is now believed that detection and removal of persistently infected and shedding cats in a multi-cat household can reduce the risk of FIP emergence within that population.

In response to the increased interest within the cat breeding and cat owning community, the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University now offers a fecal RT-PCR test for FCoV. This test can be used to identify asymptomatic FCoV shedding cats so steps can be taken to isolate them from other cats or to prevent their introduction to a resident population. Samples required for the fecal RT-PCR screening test are 2-5 grams fresh feces. When screening an individual cat in a multi-cat household it is important to positively identify the source of the fecal sample. Mixing of fecal samples from multiple cats may result in an inaccurate result. Feces should be stored in a clean plastic bag to prevent dehydration.

In clinical FIP suspect cats, the test can also identify FCoV in ascites fluid, whole blood, plasma, serum or fresh tissues (kidney, liver, or spleen). Samples from FIP-suspects should include 1-2 ml of fluid (ascites, whole blood, serum, or plasma) or 1-2 grams of fresh tissues.

All samples should be shipped in a leak-proof container to the laboratory by overnight courier on ice packs for optimal test outcomes.

Fecal FCoV RT-PCR tests should be interpreted cautiously. Single positive or negative tests are meaningless as cats may shed intermittently or may be recently infected. To be identified as a chronic shedding carrier, a cat should be fecal virus positive on multiple tests over an 8-month period. A cat that tests negative on monthly tests over a 5-month period of time may be considered a non-shedder. (Addie D.D., Jarrett O. 2001 Use of a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for monitoring the shedding of feline coronavirus by healthy cats. Veterinary Record. Vol 148. pp. 649-653.)

In a cat with clinical signs consistent with FIP, FCoV RT-PCR positive results on fluids or tissues may indicate active FIP. FCoV RT-PCR positive results in tissues from a clinically normal cat are only indicative of infection with FCoV.

How do I test my cat for Covid?

Contact Information

Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
Fax (213) 481-2375
vet@ph.lacounty.gov

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Los Angeles County SARS-CoV-2 Testing for Animals

**As of March 30, 2023 — Free SARS-CoV-2 testing of pets and other animals is on hold.**

HAS YOUR PET BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19? FREE TESTING OF PETS AVAILABLE *(see below for details)

Veterinary Public Health has received funding from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in animals in Los Angeles County. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. This project will help us to learn more about COVID-19 from a One Health perspective, meaning that we can learn more about the significance of COVID-19 in human, animal, and environmental relationships.

Some of the funds will support local testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2. We will partner with and offer free testing to various animal care facilities and agencies throughout LA County. Our goal is to test many different species of animals including wildlife (deer, bats, raccoons), pets (dogs, cats, hamsters, pocket pets), marine mammals (seals), and more.

For questions or to contact us about testing an animal for SARS-CoV-2:

Email us at vet@ph.lacounty.gov or
Call us at 213-288-7060 (ask to speak to the veterinarian-on-call) — Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Printable PDF

For veterinarians and animal care facilities:

If you are interested in testing animals for SARS-CoV-2 through this grant, please contact us to request test kits
To report a SARS-CoV-2 positive or suspect animal, complete this reporting form and submit to vet@ph.lacounty.gov.

*For pet owners:

To find out if your pet can be tested for SARS-CoV-2 through this grant, please contact us. If your pet is ill, please consult with your veterinarian.
Your pet may be eligible for free testing if the following apply:
- Your pet was exposed to a person with COVID-19 within the past 7 days (for example your pet lives in a household where a person had symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 7 days).
- Your pet has symptoms of COVID-19 and was exposed to a person with COVID-19 within the past 7 days (for example, you had symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 7 days and your pet becomes sick).
  - Symptoms of COVID-19 in animals may include:
    - Fever
    - Coughing
    - Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    - Lethargy (unusual lack of energy or sluggishness)
    - Sneezing
    - Runny nose
    - Eye discharge
    - Vomiting
    - Diarrhea
    - Loss of appetite
    - Some animals with COVID-19 are asymptomatic (have no symptoms)
    - The first symptoms in your household should have appeared within the prior seven days
    - A household member must be present at the time of testing and be able to physically collect the sample (throat swab) from the exposed pet.
      - Our staff will provide you the test kit but are not able to swab the pet or handle/hold your pet for you
      - SARS-CoV-2 Reporting Form
      - Submittal of this form does not automatically qualify a pet for testing
      - Our staff will contact you to set up an appointment and will come to your home to provide a sampling kit for a household member to collect the sample from the pet(s). The sample will then be given back to the VPH personnel who will take it to the lab for testing.
      - We will be requesting more detailed exposure information on your pet
      - Veterinary Public Health will provide you the testing results within 10 business days via email or phone
      Diagnostic Testing Results Summary for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals in Los Angeles County
      For more information on COVID-19 and animals, please visit here.
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      Related resources
      Last updated: March 30, 2023