SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Testing

Thank you for your interest in participating in this important study! If you missed the informational webinar, a recording as well as all details and downloadable forms are provided below.  Practices may also still sign up to participate, just complete the form at the bottom of this page. 

If you have questions regarding this study, please contact PVMA at Membership@PaVMA.org.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, is conducting research regarding pet animals’ exposures in households with SARS-CoV-2 virus infections. In order to complete this study, they are seeking SARS-CoV-2 surveillance samples in dogs and cats from small animal practitioners across the Commonwealth.

This will help the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture check if their tests and testing is working well and to see on a smaller scale what the data is showing. They hope that the information will be used to enhance surveillance programs and, ultimately, help protect both human and animal health.

Below you will find information on what the research study entails and the criteria for submission.

• Participation is voluntary (for both dogs and cats) and the goal is to receive at least 10-20 sera samples per veterinary practice to see if exposure results in seroconversion with no/mild clinical signs.
• There is no charge to veterinary practices or clients.
• Obtain sera samples from dogs and cats that have been exposed to a positive SARS-CoV-2 virus infections within its household. (They are focusing mainly on exposure, with sera tiers, as there are already tests available to screen for infections.) The veterinarian will seek and qualify animals for the study by:
  • Inquiring whether a pet has been exposed at each client appointment at the practice and the timeframe since exposure
  • Obtaining samples from any exposed pets of veterinary practice staff
  • Outreach to additional clients – the state will provide templates for correspondence.

Once the submitting veterinarian qualifies pets for the study:

• Client submits the SARS-COV-2 Survey (Dogs and Cats) Form online. This form can also be printed for client to complete at appointment (Download Covid Survey For Print).
• A blood sample is drawn and serum sample (0.5 ml) is submitted. Practices should bank specimens on their site (frozen is preferred if not an issue) and ship or bring to Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory all at once to save on shipping and for convenience.
• Veterinarian completes a Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System General Submission Form and brings or ships completed form(s) and serum sample(s) to Attn. Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, 2305 N Cameron St, Harrisburg 17110.

Participation is voluntary. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will not be releasing official results to clients, as it is mostly investigational at this point. However they will provide a summary report to the veterinarians and they can in turn share that with their clients as a goodwill gesture.

Interested in participating?