Experts warn Australian pet owners should be practicing “sensible hygiene” amid the countries coronavirus outbreak.

The warning comes as a pet dog belonging to a coronavirus sufferer in Hong Kong tested positive for the deadly disease earlier this week.

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The Pomeranian became the first confirmed case of human to animal transmission, according to the South China Morning Post.

Hong Kong health authorities said on Wednesday local time the dog had a “low-level infection”, after previously testing “weak positive”.

Dr Leigh Davidson from Your Vet Online has now set the record straight telling Sunrise the dog is “infected” but “not infectious”.

“The type of test they used to test for the (dog) was what they call a PCR test,” she said.

File image of a resident wearing a mask walking her dogs in Beijing, China. Credit: Ng Han Guan / AP

“They test the tonsils of the animal because the virus is actually replicating in the tonsils.”

She explained while the dog is infected in its tonsils, having caught the disease from its owner, but “it’s not become sick or ill at all”.

Hong Kong authorities also insist there’s no need for concern but they’re warning people not to kiss their pets and to wash their hands thoroughly after handling them.

‘Good hygiene’

Davidson said those who have tested positive or are in isolation should “remove the pets from your care”.

She says the remainder of pet owners should also be “practicing good hygiene”.

File image of a dog is seen at a pet shop in Hong Kong. Credit: Kin Cheung / AP

“Don’t kiss them. Make sure there’s no mouth to nose contact,” she said.

“And make sure you wash your hands after handling them.”

Parvovirus

Davidson also said while humans face the coronavirus threat, vets across the country are seeing an increase in parvovirus.

She said the virus - that can be fatal - is typically found in puppies or unvaccinated dogs.

“A lot of animals that get it, die within 48 to 72 hours,” she said.

Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, lethargy, anorexia, fever, vomiting, dehydration and weight loss.

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“Vaccination is absolutely imperative,” she said.

Although she did clarify while viruses have similar names, “they’re often specific to the species they’re infecting”.