The family dog

[awesmum]

I don't know if this has been asked, or if I'm being really stupid here but my son (18) has symptoms and we're waiting on the test results. He was in contact with someone who tested positive so it's very likely he has it.
He's isolating in his bedroom, he has an en suite and I am leaving food out for him by his door.

My question is he wants to see the family dog, which I have thus far not allowed, they're missing each other though. So can he see the dog?
By see he'd have him in his room, on his bed and cuddle him etc.

Sorry to hear your son is ill. Hope he recovers soon. Here is some advice ( from the usa, but dogs are dogs, right? ) www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html

Thanks. I didn't think it was a good idea.
He's ok, not great, the coughing is painful and he's aching.
I thought having the dog for a cuddle would cheer him up.
That and the messages of 'When can I see the dog'.

I'll have to take home to the bedroom window for visits

Your poor ds, how utterly miserable for him. Are you shielding?

Yes, We all are.
Fortunately there's plenty of Christmas food in the house. But the poor dog isn't getting his walks and DS is in his room and they're ever so close.

Sorry that was insensitive of me

Sadly the dog could act as a fomite ( like a surface) for the virus so there is a risk there. There is also risk with cutlery etc.

I hope your ds feels better soon.

Are you vulnerable? If not I feel like you are being over the top with the dog!

I don’t see the difference between your son using cutlery, glasses, the bathroom etc and then not the dog? Let him see the dog the poor thing.

Sorry didn’t see re en suite. But cutlery etc still stands.

Have a look at the Canine and Feline Sector Group information and advice page. I am a dog walker and have been using their page for guidance, it might help you decide either way.

Weirdly I was about to post this exact question. DS1 (17) is awaiting a test after a bad headache yesterday and fevers, our dog keeps scratching at the door to get into his room 

Hope your DS is feeling better soon @awesmum x

@Ilovemycat13

I don’t see the difference between your son using cutlery, glasses, the bathroom etc and then not the dog? Let him see the dog the poor thing.

Cutlery, surfaces etc can and should be cleaned after contact. But difficult with a dog....

Well today we've got the results he's positive.
All cutlery etc has been in a big plastic box with disinfectant in his bathroom.
He's fine in himself, in fact he said he wished he had it months ago to build up immunity.
So many thanks for asking.
We'll wait till he's free to come out before seeing the dog and the rest of us.

One thing I have noticed is the dogs lost weight - not able to share DS's dinner at the moment!

It probably depends on how close you are likely to get to the dog yourselves. So if the dog has cuddles with your son, but you just let him into the garden for toilet and a run around then let him back upstairs with your DS and wash your hands you should be ok .

If dog is likely to come on sofa next to you and come up by your face that's probably more of a risk . It's just considering ddog as a surface .

Mind you with the new more contagious virus it could pass more easily on soft surfaces.