What would happen to pets if someone living alone goes into hospital?

[MidsummerMeadow]

Hi everyone, I’m new here but have been lurking for a good month or so and am very grateful for everyone’s advice and thoughts on CV which have really helped me and my family.

I live alone and am in a high risk group (asthmatic) and I’m concerned about what would happen to my two cats if I caught CV and was taken into hospital. I know people who live locally who I’m sure would come in and feed them for me in ordinary circumstances but no one would want to come into my house if I had CV.

They’re not as independent as some cats and I’m here all day with them (I must admit I do baby them) so I’m worried they would be scared if left alone, and what about food and water?

Does anyone’s ever any idea what would happen to pets left alone or what I can do to prepare for them just in case?

I think you should ring Cats Protection for advice.

It's the same if you had fallen ill for any reason, you need to prepare for your pets. Get some to a cattery / kennels or gets friends or family to take care of them.

HotChoc - so I do have that, my mum and step dad would look after them usually or as I say there are people I can ask, but if I had CV wouldn’t my house be a no-go zone? My mum is also high risk so I wouldn’t want her catching it.

The virus can survive on certain surfaces for a while. But I think if you parents just fed them in maybe the hall and minimised any other contact for the first few days they risk will be massively reduced. I understand this as I fret about my pets too.

I am also very worried about pet dog. It is a concern isn’t it ? I don’t know what would happen to my children either tbh, if both DH and I needed to be in hospital.

You wash your hands and wipe down surfaces/door handles before you leave.
They come in, wash their hands, feed/sort pets, wash their hands again and go home.

That seems to be the advice on shared bathrooms where one person is self-isolating, anyway. But it might only apply before a case is confirmed to be CV.

My pet insurance includes emergency boarding for if I'm ever in hospital.

That’s good advice Hobbesmanc and kittiesinsane, thanks.

SirVix, it is a worry. Maybe this thread will help others plan too.

Needmoresleep that’s a good point, I’ll check mine

Get one of those timed feeding devices, that would at least feed them for a few days until you could make arrangements for someone to come. Always keep big water bowls full. Do you have a cat flap - if so make sure they could get out and hope someone else would feed them? I think in the event of a full scale crisis people will either rally round those suffering or there will be widespread panic.

I have a similar worry. My dog has terminal cancer. He's not suffering at the moment, but I'm really scared about what would happen if we were self-isolating or had the virus and he took a turn for the worse (it's a cancer which can cause sudden and fatal internal bleeding) as we wouldn't be able to rush him to the vets.

Babyroobs - a timed device is a good idea, is have to get two. Unfortunately I don’t have a cat flap. I’m renting but the landlord did say I could get one installed.

GCAcademic - I’m so sorry to hear that. Why don’t you discuss it wit your vet? Some do home visits, my old vet did, although that was a big company and a vetinary hospital too. Although they wouldn’t be able to be near you they could maybe drop off meds or collect your dog.

I'm sure they will be fine if friends or family or neighbours can quickly pop in every day. But I would get prepared for the worst case scenario to make yourself feel better.

Get a timed feeder and stock up on dry cat food. Have plenty of bowls of water around. Leave a tap slowly dripping if you have to go. That would keep them alive at least, even though they would be a bit sad and confused.

Hopefully it won't come to that though. Hope you stay well, op

Although The Cinnamon Trust is for older people mostly - providing volunteers who'll care for pets - I wonder if they will step up during this crisis. Worth asking them anyway:

cinnamon.org.uk

DPuppy would have to go back to the family member who bred her. The DC are old enough to care for her until he could pick her up.

I’m not sure who would look after the younger DC though, as she’s a bit young to be self isolating alone (elder is at university, so out of the way term time, and they could be together during the hols)

Even if someone is high risk, they could still enter your house I'm sure. Just wash hands well after leaving. Change clothes etc and wear gloves.

There was a woman on the radio the other day who works in a care home. There was talk of them all having to stay in the care home if the situation gets worse. She has a dog and noone nearby who could look after it so was similarly worried. It is likely to be an issue for many people.