UK coronavirus variant may cause heart issues in pets, vets warn

Early findings out from a specialist veterinary hospital in England suggested domestic cats and dogs infected with the highly transmissible U.K. coronavirus variant developed heart issues amid a winter-time variant-fueled surge.

Study authors behind the findings posted ahead of peer review reported a "sudden surge" of pets presenting with myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, at the animal hospital between December to February. The pets had no history of heart disease and there was some similarity in the cases, involving lethargy, lack of appetite, shortness of breath and fainting in some instances. The pet owners started showing respiratory symptoms for coronavirus several weeks before the animals became sick, and many owners had confirmed positive PCR tests, per the study. The B.1.1.7 U.K. variant, believed to be around 50% more transmissible than other strains, accounted for approximately 95% of all new infections in the U.K. as of Feb. 7, and has been detected in over 80 countries, study authors noted.