Pet owners who contract H1N1 flu may pass the disease along to their pets, especially if the pet is a cat or ferret, a flu expert and director of virology in Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has warned.
Dr Dick Hesse said a cat in Iowa was diagnosed with H1N1 influenza virus at the beginning of November, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza.
“The cat is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people,” he said.
“Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had only been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets.”
Pet Owners be Aware of Flu Risks to Companion Animals
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so that the cat becoming infected was not an altogether unexpected event.
A second cat, in Utah, was confirmed infected with the H1N1 virus on November 13. Like the first cat, the owner was ill with flu-like symptoms prior to the cat's illness. The cat had difficult breathing and was taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
"The National Animal Health Laboratory Network is using a test initially developed to detect H1N1 in pigs, which has now been approved for companion animal testing," Dr Gary Anderson, director of the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, said.
"Tests will be performed on nasal or oral swabs, which should be obtained by a veterinarian and submitted to the lab for testing."
If in Doubt, see a Veterinarian
Pet owners should monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness, Dr Anderson said.
Companion animals most at risk of catching swine flu infection are cats, apart from ferrets, which are very susceptible to viruses. Dogs appear to be at a lesser risk of catching H1N1, and at November 30, 2009, no dogs had been diagnosed.
Pets that live indoors, especially cats, tend to have close contact with their owners and that increases their chances of being exposed to diseases.
Guidelines for Pet Owners with Swine Flu
The AVMA has issued guidelines for pet owners concerned about passing H1N1 to their pet or afraid of catching flu from their companion animals.
- Should I get rid of my ferret or cat so my family is protected? You are much more likely to catch the flu from an infected person than you are from an animal. So far, all of the pets infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus became infected from being around their ill owners. If you're feeling ill and have flu-like symptoms, you should probably limit your contact with your pets until you are feeling better. If your pet is showing signs of illness, it should be examined by a veterinarian.
- What symptoms would I see in my dog or cat if it developed H1N1? So far, there haven't been any reports of dogs infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The ferrets and the two cats showed signs of respiratory illness – lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, runny nose and/or eyes, sneezing, coughing, or changes in breathing (including difficulty breathing). Dogs have their own flu virus, the H3N8 influenza (canine influenza) virus, spread from dog to dog. Check with your veterinarian if you think your dog has flu.
- How serious is this disease in dogs or cats? We don't yet know. There haven't been any reports of dogs infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, and there have only been two cats confirmed to be infected, which both recovered.
- Should I keep the people in the house who have respiratory disease away from the pet and vice-versa? It's a good idea to limit contact between an ill family member and other family members and pets. If your pet is ill, contact your veterinarian.
- Is there a vaccine that can be used for pets? There is not a licensed and approved 2009 H1N1 vaccine for pets.
- The 2009 H1N1 virus has infected poultry. What about my pet bird? Can it be infected? We know it can infect poultry, but we don't know if it can affect other birds (including pet birds).
- Can my pot-bellied pig get the 2009 H1N1 virus and give it to me? To date, the 2009 H1N1 virus has not been reported in pot-bellied pigs. However, they are considered swine, and may be susceptible to the virus. It's a good idea to limit contact between an ill family member and pets. If your pet pig appears ill, consult a veterinarian immediately.
The best advice is to always follow common sense guidelines when dealing with animals (for example, washing your hands). In addition, it's important that pet owners keep a good eye on their pet's health and consult a veterinarian if your pet is showing any signs of illness. Keeping your pets healthy reduces their risk of becoming ill.
You might also be interested in Swine Flu Myths and What to Do About the Flu, Acupuncture for Cats and Dogs, or Count Calories to keep Your Pet a Healthy Weight
Sue Cartledge - I'm a science, health, nutrition and lifestyle journalist, fascinated by the way the physical world operates in all its forms, and how ...
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