^^^^
We have the breed "Peterbald" from Russia. It's like a Siamese but with skin like a warm peach. Not greasy like a Sphynx. It's large, like a dog & also fetches & walks on a leash. The Bengal is a beautiful cat! I know one of the best breeders out of Canada :)
I got to know a lot of Russians & Ukraine people (the PD comes out of St.Petersberg, Russia) so I had to make inroads there over 15 years ago. Hired a Russian driver & got to know all about Russia. So much fun & learned so much! This trip got me involved w/researchers (I was already in touch w/other types of research). It also taught me PCR testing & UV lighting from microbiologist.
About the coronavirus in animals. This is what I have pretty much figured out. PCR testing (although not new to you & me) is still pretty new to a lot of people (including vets, doctors & the G.P.), it is the gold standard in testing animals (exotic & domestic).
I started yelling at people (mostly breeders) maybe 15 years ago; for them to PCR test any animal they sold & their breeder animals. Of course, I was met with howls & cries. Unfortunately for them, I'm not easily silenced. I tend to go out of my way to inform the public via the actual cat clubs online sites & direct confrontation on any site a buyer might go to. Those people are nuts. I got death threats, letters from stupid attorneys but.. you know, some of us just won't shut up. I tend to be one. The dog world & horse world are actually more powerful. Cat world is nothing compared to those folks. Don't wanna mess there, unless you have armed security. Which I do, but those people eh. Oh in case anyone wonders WHY I have security, actually it isn't me, I just happened to buy in a hood that has someone in here that is governmental. So, they roam the woods & such.
OH! So back to this virus. So, I started up a friendship w/a guy that runs the PCR lab in the USA, some researchers... AND what I found was this. There is coronavirus all over the place, but this one (covid-19) is different. Mostly when you go to a vet he will diagnose "herpes" if the dog/cat/horse has the U.R. symptoms. They don't PCR test.
A lot of vets don't even know how to PCR test or know about it (esp.an older vet). PCR will figure out WHICH U.R. illness your animal has. Some might be curable. There are a host of U.R. diseases that vets just throw in the "herpes" bucket. They do a titer test (which is old school & not as accurate).
So we can say "coronavirus" but there are some that are deadly & some that are just a cold. The test are even different. A swab or a blood test depends on what you are looking for.
I do the PCR's myself if it's a blood one I'll use my vet to draw the blood, but I'm using my lab. If I do it w/my lab I can get an entire panel done for $98. IF I use Emory for example, one test will cost me over 150. (if I'm lucky). Plus, I know my guy :)